Often I have heard individuals quote from scripture Jesus giving the instruction to call no man father. Interestingly, as individuals bring this up, they fail to mention that Jesus also, in the same breath, instructed to call no one Teacher. The context of this passage (Matthew 23:9) is surrounded by Jesus addressing the attitude and actions of the pharisees. He is addressing the crowds and saying to them that they should obey the instructions of the pharisees, but not duplicate their behaviors.
Early controversy arose through this relative to the reformation. It had little to do with the actual application of the scripture and more to do with not wanting to appear "Roman" in any way (later it came to be not wanting to appear "Catholic"). Modern commentators have started to re-examine some of the early 20th century comments on such scriptures and have pulled away from divisive understanding of such scriptures. After all, scripture, though sometimes paradoxical is not supposed to be contradictory. Paul will later write of himself being a father to Timothy and others. This would be in contradiction to "the command" if it is a command. Paul will also write regarding God's gift of giving "some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists and some as teachers and pastors" (emphasis added). The above from Matthew directs that no one is to be called a teacher since there is only one teacher, the Christ. Yet, here we have others listed as being given as gifts for the "building up of the body of (the church)". Jesus himself is frequently referred to as Rabbi and does not tell them "don't call me that." He simply moves on from it and takes advantage of their attention in order to teach.
As I have meditated on this, most recently prompted by a question someone proposed on Facebook, I have been drawn deeper into what Jesus' overall message may be. I say may, since, given the two thousand years worth of teaching, I may be stepping out into a very deep water and upsetting the whole applecart as they say. The basics of all of the teachings of Jesus could be boiled down to a simple concept: relationship. His first emphasis is on the relationship between a person and God. His second emphasis is on the relationship of a person with other people. His concern appears throughout the New Testament (don't care for the term but it at least fits) to be on moving away from regulated relationships based upon outward constructs of rules which govern behavior and to move towards and inward sense of relationship in which ones behavior is governed more by a reaction to an inpouring of love, grace and mercy superseding rules and regulations. Going back to the psalms and even 1 Samuel, God is spoken of about being concerned with the position of a person's heart far more so than the person's behavior. "These people are wayward in their hearts" and "do not look on the outward appearance but on the heart" and "God will circumcise their hearts" to cite a few examples. God has demonstrated his concern for relationship from the beginning. In light of this, we may benefit from examining any teachings done by Jesus through the question of "what is he saying about my heart condition as it relates to relationships with others?"
Even the Lord's prayer, in this context, takes on a far deeper meaning. It is not about proper recital of the necessary words in order to influence God's will. It is an expression of the trust and faith that the prayer has in the one being prayed to. Not some distant generic g-o-d, but a Father, a shepherd, someone who knows me so well he even knows what I need before asking it, my heart condition behind it and yet still takes the greatest delight in my simply asking! He is not bothered by me coming to him, he is not put off by so many requests, nor is he exasperated by my asking for things I don't really need or may even be harmful. He simply enjoys my coming to him and seeking him out. The "Lord's Prayer" outlines this relationship from the start by naming whom it is that we are praying to, our Father who is in Heaven. Not our earthly fathers, some of whom have been pretty good and others not so much. Not our human fathers prone to overworked overwhelmed under appreciated and quite possibly distracted. No, we are coming to a Father who has begotten children and wants nothing more then for those children to continue in relationship with him. Like children, we speak to a father who tolerates much, such as "give us" and "forgive us"--we, sometimes brats that we are, demanding of our dad what he already plans for us, allowing us to say it anyways and answering with a smile, "what father amongst you, if your son asks for a fish will give him a stone instead.....how much more will your heavenly Father give you".
The above is simply meant as a long example. There are several others throughout the gospels and later in the epistles. The principle teaching is on relationships. In that context, what might Jesus really be saying regarding "call no man father"? Is he really saying that we are to dump any pretext of honoring our parents? Given that one of his arguments with the pharisees is over "honor your father and mother", I believe he is not telling us to dump our relationships with our earthly family. He does say that our family ultimately extends beyond bloodlines. He addresses this when speaking with the disciples regarding "who is my mother and brothers?" Again, his emphasis is on relationship--those who do the will of my Father are my mother and sisters and brothers.
The context for the above is in regard to pride and making a show. He points out that the people in question are doing what they do for their own personal glory and recognition. He states that this, as in other examples, is the true problem--the attitudes of their hearts. They want to elevate themselves by pushing others down. They seek after titles and recognition in order to fulfill their own self-importance. The titles that Jesus' addresses in this very context then reference issues more relative to the person's inner nature and a lack of the title truly lining up with their heart condition. It is the nature of the relationship they are in with their people that is at question, just as he emphasizes to this disciples. They are to be servants of all. What does a real father do? He serves those who are in his family. He will be the last to eat in order to ensure that his children are fed. He will be the first to rise and the last to go to sleep in order to ensure that the home is safe, chores are done and that his family can rest in peace. He makes sure that the family is provided for; clothing, food, shelter, etcetera. This is what a real father does. He is a servant to his family, not out of duty, but out of love.
A real teacher, one who is genuine and called to teach, does so also out of love. They love to see the growth that occurs in their students. It is what inspires them and fuels them to continue. When a student struggles, a genuine teacher will sacrifice personal time, relearn techniques, consult with others and step as far out of the box as is safe in order to support their student in getting beyond whatever they may be struggling with.
Jesus takes off his outer garment and girds himself with a towel in order to perform for his disciples the work of the lowest household servant. He washes their feet. They still called him teacher, for so he is/was. And in so doing, demonstrates to them what a true teacher/rabbi/father is to be like--a servant.
A father would willingly sacrifice his own life in order to save his children. Many a priest and/or pastor has done the same for the "flocks". Have there been horrible ones? Oh, yea, there have. Yet, is that a reason to condemn someone? Especially before you get to know if this person truly is "a father" to those he serves? There are those who heard very well this heart wrenching standard "no greater love has this than a man should lay down his life". There are those of us who consider this a "no kidding" kind of thing.
Is your own reaction to such based upon religious prejudice or perhaps "father" for you is someone who has always been absent? Maybe father was even abusive and never showed love. Perhaps father is someone who left deep scars for you. I would suggest that you may find healing in the relationship being restored, not necessarily through your earthly father, perhaps through your heavenly Father and maybe even some of those He has sent as spiritual fathers.
God's peace and love to all of those that God has allowed me to call spiritual children.
