Are You Saved? & Sola Fide

Sola Fide is a belief that inevitably leads to an Are You Saved conversation.
Evangelicals will explain justification by saying that you only need to "believe" or "have faith" to be saved because they cling to this unbiblical belief.  Faith alone or Sola Fide, they will explain, is all you need to be justified and go to Heaven. Sola Fide is one of the two pillars of the Reformation. Common questions that an Evangelical or "born-again" Christian asks might be, "Are you born-again?" or "Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?" or "Have you accepted Jesus Christ into your heart?"
1) Here is an example of a possible conversation between an Evangelical Protestant and a Catholic. 

P) Are you born again?

C) Yes, I'm Catholic. I'm born again the Bible way.

P) What do you mean? (Huh?? Explain)

C)  Well, you asked me the question first, so why don't you tell me what you mean by born-again?

P) Well, in John 3:3  Jesus says, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

C) So how do you get born again?

P) You must accept Jesus Christ as your Savior to be born again; you need to ask Him into your heart. Eternal life is given to the person who believes in the name of Jesus Christ.     (They might throw in John 3:16)

C) Well, I have a dilemma. 
I have to decide whether I'm going to believe what the Bible says or what you say about being born again.  
I have to decide whether I believe your definition or Jesus’ definition of being born again.

Let’s read a bit more in John. 
John 3:4   Nicodemus asked Jesus the same question about HOW we can be born again,
John 3:5   Jesus tells us, “Unless a man is born of water and the spirit, he will never see the kingdom of God.” 

So, Jesus tells me that I must be born again of water and the spirit . . . . you are telling me I should ask Jesus into my heart. 

If we search in the whole Bible for, "ask Jesus into your heart" or "ask Jesus in your heart"   We will find it is not there. 

If we search for "personal Lord and Savior" . . . . not there.

These two phrases are not biblical; they are the tradition of man. They're not found in the Bible.

The apostles didn't use those words. 
Jesus didn't use those words.       
What Jesus actually said was that you get born again by water and Spirit. That's Baptism.

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2) Here is a KWO of the conversation.

P) R U born again?  

C) Yes / Catholic / Bible way

P)  Huh?? Explain

C)  Turn Q around - what U mean "born-again"

P)  John 3:3  

C) How? 

P) ask JC into <3 

C) dilemma! Believe Bible or U? 
John 3:4   Nicodemus same Q . . . . HOW?
John 3:5   Jesus says water and the spirit
U say ask JC into <3 

• search Bible  -->  not there.

Jesus says water and the spirit =  Baptism

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3) Here are lots of details and explanations pertaining to the conversation.

Red = Shortcut reminder of the basic idea (what's happening in the sentence
Blue = Protestant
Bolded Blue = Key words to help you remember the sentence.
Black = Catholic
Bolded Black = Key words to help you remember the sentence.
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P) Are you born again?  

C) Yes, I'm Catholic. I'm born again the Bible way.

P) What do you mean? 
(Huh?? Explain)

C)  Well, you asked me the question first, so why don't you tell me what you mean by born-again?

P) Well, in John 3:3  Jesus says, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”

C) So how do you get born again?  
(Accept Bible, of course, and dig deeper. How?)

P) You must accept Jesus Christ as your Savior to be born again; you need to ask Him into your heart. Eternal life is given to the person who believes in the name of Jesus Christ.     (They might throw in John 3:16)

C) Well, I have a dilemma. 
I have to decide whether I'm going to believe what the Bible says or what you say about being born again.  
I have to decide whether I believe your definition or Jesus’ definition of being born again.

Let’s read a bit more in John. 
John 3:4   Nicodemus asked Jesus the same question about HOW can we be born again,
John 3:5   Jesus tells us, “Unless a man is born of water and the spirit, he will never see the kingdom of God.” 

So, Jesus tells me that I must be born again of water and the spirit . . . . you are telling me I should ask Jesus into my heart. 
(Or, have a personal relationship with Jesus or accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour) 

• If we search in the whole Bible for, "ask Jesus into your heart" or "ask Jesus in your heart"   We will find it is not there.
• If we search for "personal Lord and Savior" . . . . not there.

What Jesus actually said was that you get born again by water and Spirit. That's Baptism.


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Extra Notes:

• Those phrases ("ask Jesus into your heart" or "ask Jesus in your heart" or "personal Lord and Savior") are protestant tradition and are not found in the Bible. They seem to have their roots in "The Great Awakening" of the 1700s and a misuse of Revelation 3:14-20.  Consider how lecturer, John Webb misused this passage in the mid 1700s in order to evangelize non-Christians. < http://www.bible.ca/g-sinners-prayer.htm >

• http://www.patheos.com/blogs/anxiousbench/2012/07/ask-jesus-into-your-heart-a-history-of-the-sinners-prayer/
• Except for the disparaging and incorrect remarks about infant baptism, this is a fairly good article. Good info on the evolution of the "sinner's prayer."  http://www.bible.ca/g-sinners-prayer.htm

source: Stephen Ray, Soutenus, Patheos.com
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Sola Scriptura Key Verses

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"I NEVER SAID YOU STOLE THE MONEY"

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Do you remember how we talked about the many interpretations of this simple  7-word sentence?  How much more likely is it that people will misinterpret the Bible if they have no help from the Holy Spirit working through the Magisterium?

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Bible Alone or Bible Plus Tradition? 1 Cor 11:2 - hold fast to traditions I handed to you  2 Thess 2:15 - hold fast to traditions whether oral or by letter  2 Thess 3:6 - shun those acting not according to traditions  Jn 21:25 - not everything Jesus said recorded in Scripture Mk 13:31 - heaven & earth shall pass away but my word won't  Acts 20:35 - Paul records a saying of Jesus not found in gospels  2 Tim 1:13 - follow my sound words guard the truth  2 Tim 2:2 - what you heard  entrust to faithful men   2 Pet 1:20 - no prophecy is a  matter of private interpretation  2 Pet 3:15-16 - Paul's letters  can be difficult to  grasp &    interpret  Rom 10:17 - faith comes from what is heard  Canon of the Bible source: http://www.slideshare.net/guest077531/the-bible-is-a-catholic-book?related=1

Template for an Apologetics Speech - Meaning & Significance Question

Every good speaker remembers to 1) Tell the audience what they are going to tell them.  2) Tell them.  3) Tell them what you just told them.

At the beginning add a hook,  introduce yourself, and let audience know what question you will be answering.
At the end recap, conclude, end decisively 
____________________________________________________________
INTRO – MANY TIMES YOU WILL WRITE THIS LAST
                  This is in place to "hook" the audience's interest
                  The hook might also be called an opener or teaser. It could be:
                  Scripture
                  Story or
                  Quote
DO NOT FINISH IT – LEAVE SOMETHING TO COME BACK TO AT THE END!

INTRODUCE YOURSELF & ANNOUNCE Q:
Hello, my name is ___________ and I would like to discuss the meaning and significance of __________________   OR
Hello, my name is ________________ and I have drawn the question, "What is the meaning and significance of __________________ ?" 

1) Tell the audience what they are going to tell them.
I will address this question through 3 points
Meaning
Significance
Application (with a Call to Action)

2) Tell them.
POINT 1) MEANING: define
________________ means / is defined as / _________________________.
      Quote your source if applicable

POINT 2) SIGNIFICANCE:
Why is this important?
You can elaborate to explain.
~What would happen if we did not believe or have this? Or, if this did not exist.

Who is “WE?” . . . . . . Believers / Christians / Catholics / a Nation / Brothers and Sisters in Christ / Children of God / a people /-- decide which and proceed accordingly. Make sure your audience knows (It is always helpful if you know your audience.)

Use Quotes, Scripture, Common Sense, etc.

POINT 3) APPLICATION (possible CALL TO ACTION):
What should I do with this? How does this apply to _______ (Us? You? Me?) Remember again to consider your audience -- and proceed accordingly.
What should we do? Is there a  “call to action”? If so, what it is it?
Because _____________________ we should ______________________.
Prepare to transition into tying this back to your INTRO

3) Tell them what you just told them.
4) RE-CAP and/or “In Conclusion” 
Let’s re-cap: 
We (have) looked at the meaning of ____________________
We (have) looked at its significance (____________________)
And we (have) looked at how this applies to us ( _________ ) 

FAST VERSION ~>  “To conclude let me (recap or) remind you that we have examined the meaning, significance, and application (with a call to action) of ________________________”     OR
In Conclusion, we have looked at ____________________________

TELL THE REST OF THE INTRO STORY HERE or @ very end 
In which way would it be more memorable/interesting/meaningful? 

END DECISIVELY WITH a Scripture or Quote (or repeat a major one / a powerful one / a completely logical one, etc.)
Or, GIVE THE REST OF THE INTRO STORY HERE (if not done in the re-cap)

Then say, “Thank you for your time and attention.” (or something close to that)


____________________________________________________________

Here are some of the choices that are included in the 100 questions:

What is the meaning and significance of the image of God?

What is the meaning and significance of original sin?

What is the meaning and significance of the virgin birth?

What is the meaning and significance of Original Sin?

What is the meaning and significance of the Incarnation?

What is the meaning and significance of Jesus as the Word of God?

What is the meaning and significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God?

What is the meaning and significance of Biblical canon?
____________________________________________________________

IN A NUTSHELL:

These are all above in RED 
1a) INTRO w/ hook
1b) Introduce self
1c) Announce the Q you will answer

2a) Meaning
2b) Significance
2c) Application/Call to Action

3a) ReCap and/or Conclusion (Finish story / Repeat / Reiterate)
3b) Make Sure You End Decisively 
3c) Say,“Thank you”

100 Questions NCFCA

NCFCA APOLOGETICS TOPICS 

Category 1: EXISTENCE AND NATURE OF GOD    
Definitions  
General Questions 
Statement Analysis
Category 2: SCRIPTURES
Definitions  
General Questions 
Statement Analysis
Category 3: THE NATURE PURPOSE AND DESTINY OF MAN
Definitions  
General Questions 
Statement Analysis
Category 4: SALVATION or HOW TO KNOW GOD
Definitions  
General Questions 
Statement Analysis
Category 5: THE PERSON OF CHRIST
Definitions  
General Questions 
Statement Analysis
  

Category 1: EXISTENCE AND NATURE OF GOD

Definitions

1. Explain the meaning and significance of the trinity.

2. Explain the meaning and significance of the omniscience of God.

3. Explain the meaning and significance of the omnipotence of God.

4. Explain the meaning and significance of the omnipresence of God

5. Explain the meaning and significance of the transcendence of God

6. Explain the meaning and significance of the immanence of God.

7. Explain the meaning and significance of the eternality of God.

8. Explain the meaning and significance of the immutability of God.

9. Explain the meaning and significance of the infinite nature of God.

10. Explain the meaning and significance of the holiness of God.

11. Explain the meaning and significance of the righteousness of God.

12. Explain the meaning and significance of the justice of God.

13. Explain the meaning and significance of the sovereignty of God.

14. Explain the meaning and significance of the mercy of God.

15. Explain the meaning and significance of the grace of God.

General Questions

1. In what ways has God revealed Himself to man?

2. If God is real, why can’t people see or touch Him?

3. If God is holy, why did He allow sin in the world?

4. How can God be both merciful and just?

5. How can God be one and yet three (unity versus trinity)?

6. Open theology states that God is constantly changing and growing with His creation.
Respond to this Biblically.

7. Open theology states that God is constantly growing and changing with His creation.
Respond to this logically and pragmatically.

8. Why is the unchanging nature of God critical to who He is?

Statement Analysis
Analyze and respond to the following statement:

1. “The existence of God and of a future life is everywhere recognized in Africa.”  ~~David Livingstone

2.  “The Old Testament God is a God of hate while the New Testament God is a God of love.”

3.  “Gods are fragile things. They may be killed by a whiff of science or a dose of common sense.” ~~Chapman Cohen

4. “If God did not exist, it would be necessary to invent Him.”  ~~Voltaire

5.  “What we believe about God is the most important thing about us.”  ~~A.W. Tozer

6. “God is merely an impersonal force in the universe. He is untouchable and unapproachable.”

7.  “God set the universe in motion but He has no interest in it.”

8. “If God understands my humanity and sin nature better than I do, why does He still hold me accountable for what I cannot help doing?”


Category 2: SCRIPTURES

Definitions

1. Explain the meaning and significance of inerrancy.

2. Explain the meaning and significance of verbal, plenary inspiration of Scripture.

3. Explain the meaning and significance of divine inspiration.

4. Explain the meaning and significance of Biblical canon.

5. Explain the meaning and significance of higher criticism and lower criticism.

General Questions

1. Jesus clearly demonstrated His belief in the authority of Scriptures.
Defend this statement with evidence.

2. If the Bible was written by men, how could it also be written by God?

3. How did The Church decide what should be included in the canon of Scripture?

4. How can the Bible be trustworthy when it has been translated so many times?

5. What is the foundation for accurate Bible translation?

6. Provide evidence for the historical accuracy of the Bible.

Statement Analysis
Analyze and respond to the following statement:

1. "No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says; he is always convinced that it says what he means.”  ~~~George Barnard Shaw

2.  “The Bible is no different than any other holy book.”

3. “The Bible is simply the work of a great conspiracy, where people sought to create a religion of their own.”

4.  “The Old Testament is merely a set of myths made up by the Jewish people to establish a national identity and give themselves a feeling of superiority.”


Category 3: THE NATURE PURPOSE & DESTINY OF MAN

Definitions

1. Explain the meaning and significance of the image of God.

2. Explain the meaning and significance of the depravity of man.

3. Explain the meaning and significance of original sin.

4. Explain the meaning and significance of the sin nature.

5. Explain the meaning and significance of sanctification.

6. Explain the meaning and significance of repentance.

7. Explain the meaning and significance of regeneration.

General Questions

1. Do all men have a longing for God?

2. Do all men have a conscience?

3. If God is invisible, (1 Timothy 1:17) how can man be made in the image of God?

4. If man is inherently sinful, why do most men lead relatively good lives?

5. What is the purpose of man?

6. What is the destiny of man?

7. Why would a loving God create hell?
http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=716437 

8. What is the essential duty of man?

9. What is meant by the "fall of man"?

Statement Analysis
Evaluate and respond to the following statement:

1.  “All men were born with ten fingers and toes but no one was born with the knowledge of God.” ~~Voltaire

2.  “…whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap.”  ~~Galatians 6:7

3.  “Heaven is only a state of mind.”

4.  “He’s only human.” (as a justification for sin and the need for leniency).

5.  “When man dies, he simply ceases to exist. There is no immortality or eternal life.”


Category 4: SALVATION or HOW TO KNOW GOD

Definitions

1. Explain the meaning and significance of justification.

2. Explain the meaning and significance of atonement.

3. Explain the meaning and significance of propitiation.

4. Explain the meaning and significance of redemption.

General Questions

1. How can a man know God?

2. Can a man become right with God by keeping the Ten Commandments?

3. Isn't it narrow minded to believe there is only one way to heaven?

4. Why does man need salvation?

Statement Analysis   
Analyze and respond to the following statement:

1.  “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you are sincere.”

2.  “There are many roads to God.”

3.  “Every charitable act is a stepping stone to heaven.”   ~~Henry Ward Beecher

4.  “I commune best with God when I am out in nature. I don’t need organized religion or a list of do’s and don’ts.”

5.  “I know that all of the good vibes he sent out will return to carry him off to a better place.”   ~~Comment made after to death of Bob Hope

6. “Christianity is the opiate of the masses.”  ~~Karl Marx

7. “Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except though me.’”


Category 5: THE PERSON OF CHRIST

Definitions

1. What is the meaning and significance of the deity of Christ?

2. What is the meaning and significance of the virgin birth?

3. What is the meaning and significance of the Incarnation?

4. What is the meaning and significance of Jesus’ claim that He is “the Son of Man?”

5. What is the meaning and significance of Jesus’ claim that He is “the Son of God?”

6. What is the meaning and significance of Jesus as the Mediator?

7. What is the meaning and significance of Jesus as the Messiah?

8. What is the meaning and significance of Jesus as the Word if God?

9. What is the meaning and significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God?

General Questions

1. Why is the resurrection essential to the Christian faith?

2. If God is infinite, how could He limit Himself in the person of Christ?

3. How could Jesus be both God and man?

4. Why did Jesus have to die to provide salvation for men?

5. What evidence is there for the historical existence of Jesus?

6. What evidence is there for the resurrection of Jesus?

7. Did Jesus attain deity by His sacrificial death or was He God from the beginning?

Statement Analysis 
Analyze and respond to the following statement:

1.  “Jesus’ life and death are merely examples to us that we should all live sacrificial lives.”
 

2.  “Jesus was a good man and a good teacher but certainly not the Son of God.”

Tournament Directors will make selections from the topics posted on this site for use in league sanctioned competition.

5 Qs About Mary & A Wild Card Question

1) The Bible says "all have sinned." How can you believe that Mary was without sin? So, do Catholics believe that Mary did not need Jesus to be her Savior?

2) Why do Catholics believe Mary was so special . . . . she isn't even mentioned in the Old Testament. She is hardly mentioned in the New Testament.

3) The Bible says that Jesus had brothers and sisters. That proves Mary was not a perpetual virgin. Why do Catholics believe that? What's the big deal if she was or wasn't?

4) Why do Catholics worship Mary? For example, you say that prayer called, "Hail Mary." You have statues and pictures of her in your church and in your houses. You pray to her.

5) Why do you call Mary the New Eve and the Ark of the New Covenant?

WILD CARD: How can you prove the existence of God with this argument called "DESIGN"?



In addition to the CIA & SWAT websites, see also:
http://catholicbridge.com/catholic/martin_luther_on_mary.php
http://catholicbridge.com/catholic/mary_in_the_bible.php
http://www.catholicbridge.com/

The Argument From DESIGN - Existence of God

Christopher Stefanick 
   



Catholic Religion Teacher Series:


The Argument from Design from Catholic Religion Teacher on Vimeo.


Terms to understand (in the context of our argument):
1) Theist: one who believes in God (as the creator of the universe)

2) Atheist: one who does not believe in God (as the creator of the universe)

3) Premise: the base of an argument (the concept or statement or proposition) from which another is inferred or follows as a conclusion

4) Evolution does NOT support atheism

5) Natural Selection - survival of the fittest

6) ANTHROPIC PRINCIPAL: the universe was specially designed from the beginning for human life to evolve (happen). . . . . specially designed for human life

7) PRINCIPLE OF CAUSALITY: can't get more in an effect than in sum total of all causes. Examples: 

• 4+1+2=7 
• Painting with red and blue gives you red, blue, and/or purple (you can't get yellow) 

If there is intelligence in effect (humans), there must be intelligence in the cause.

8) GOLDILOCKS PRINCIPLE: "just right" 
This is closely related to the ANTHROPIC PRINCIPLE

9) Teleological Argument: 
another term that means Argument from Design
The teleological or physico-theological argument, also known as the argument from design, or intelligent design argument is an argument for the existence of God or, more generally, for an intelligent creator "based on perceived evidence of deliberate design in the natural or physical world"

10) Syllogism: ˈsiləˌjizəm

1. A form of reasoning in which a conclusion is drawn (whether validly or not) from two given or assumed propositions (premises), each of which shares a term with the conclusion, and shares a common or middle term not present in the conclusion (e.g., all dogs are animals; all animals have four legs; therefore all dogs have four legs ).

   • deductive reasoning as distinct from induction.

     "logic is rules or syllogism
   • 
     
   • OUR SYLLOGISM:

Premise 1: The more complex something is, the more likely it is a product of design (and not chance).

Premise 2: The universe (& many things within it) are infinitely more complex than all man made designs.

Conclusion: Therefore, the universe is a product of design (and not chance). The designer behind the universe is what we call God.

http://catholicreligionteacher.com/existence-of-god/ 
KEYNOTES (slides)  https://catholicreligionteacher.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/the-argument-from-design-keynote-pdf3.pdf

Mrs. Cortez' sources:
Taylor Marshall's Thomas Aquinas in 50 Pages
Kreeft's Arguments For God (specific)
Kreeft's Arguments For God  (broader)

Call No Man Father

Many Protestants claim that when Catholics address priests as "father," they are engaging in an unbiblical practice that Jesus forbade: "Call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven" (Matt. 23:9). 

~~> In his tract 10 Reasons Why I Am Not a Roman Catholic, Fundamentalist anti-Catholic writer Donald Maconaghie quotes this passage as support for his charge that "the papacy is a hoax." 


~~> Bill Jackson, another Fundamentalist who runs a full-time anti-Catholic organization, says in his book Christian’s Guide To Roman Catholicism that a "study of Matthew 23:9 reveals that Jesus was talking about being called father as a title of religious superiority . . . [which is] the basis for the [Catholic] hierarchy" (53). 

How should Catholics respond to such objections? 

The Answer

To understand why the charge does not work, one must first understand the use of the word "father" in reference to our earthly fathers. No one would deny a little girl the opportunity to tell someone that she loves her father. Common sense tells us that Jesus wasn’t forbidding this type of use of the word "father." 
In fact, to forbid it would rob the address "Father" of its meaning when applied to God, for there would no longer be any earthly counterpart for the analogy of divine Fatherhood. The concept of God’s role as Father would be meaningless if we obliterated the concept of earthly fatherhood. 

But in the Bible the concept of fatherhood is not restricted to just our earthly fathers and God. It is used to refer to people other than biological or legal fathers, and is used as a sign of respect to those with whom we have a special relationship. 

For example, Joseph tells his brothers of a special fatherly relationship God had given him with the king of Egypt: "So it was not you who sent me here, but God; and he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt" (Gen. 45:8). 

Job indicates he played a fatherly role with the less fortunate: "I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know" (Job 29:16). And God himself declares that he will give a fatherly role to Eliakim, the steward of the house of David: "In that day I will call my servant Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah . . . and I will clothe him with [a] robe, and will bind [a] girdle on him, and will commit . . . authority to his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah" (Is. 22:20–21). 

This type of fatherhood not only applies to those who are wise counselors (like Joseph) or benefactors (like Job) or both (like Eliakim), it also applies to those who have a fatherly spiritual relationship with one. For example, Elisha cries, "My father, myfather !" to Elijah as the latter is carried up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kgs. 2:12). Later, Elisha himself is called a father by the king of Israel (2 Kgs. 6:21). 

A Change with the New Testament?

Some Fundamentalists argue that this usage changed with the New Testament—that while it may have been permissible to call certain men "father" in the Old Testament, since the time of Christ, it’s no longer allowed. This argument fails for several reasons. 

First, as we’ve seen, the imperative "call no man father" does not apply to one’s biological father. It also doesn’t exclude calling one’s ancestors "father," as is shown in Acts 7:2, where Stephen refers to "our father Abraham," or in Romans 9:10, where Paul speaks of "ourfather  Isaac." 

Second, there are numerous examples in the New Testament of the term "father" being used as a form of address and reference, even for men who are not biologically related to the speaker. There are, in fact, so many uses of "father" in the New Testament, that the Fundamentalist interpretation of Matthew 23 (and the objection to Catholics calling priests "father") must be wrong, as we shall see. 

Third, a careful examination of the context of Matthew 23 shows that Jesus didn’t intend for his words here to be understood literally. The whole passage reads, "But you are not to be called ‘rabbi,’ for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called ‘masters,’ for you have one master, the Christ" (Matt. 23:8–10). 

The first problem is that although Jesus seems to prohibit the use of the term "teacher," in Matthew 28:19–20, Christ himself appointed certain men to be teachers in his Church: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations . . . teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." 

Paul speaks of his commission as a teacher: 
 ~~> "For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle . . . a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth" (1 Tim. 2:7); 
~~> "For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher" (2 Tim. 1:11). 
He also reminds us that the Church has an office of teacher: 
~~> "God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers" (1 Cor. 12:28); and "his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers" (Eph. 4:11). 

There is no doubt that Paul was not violating Christ’s teaching in Matthew 23 by referring so often to others as "teachers." 

Fundamentalists themselves slip up on this point by calling all sorts of people "doctor," for example, medical doctors, as well as professors and scientists who have Ph.D. degrees (i.e., doctorates). What they fail to realize is that "doctor" is simply the Latin word for "teacher." Even "Mister" and "Mistress" ("Mrs.") are forms of the word "master," also mentioned by Jesus. So if his words in Matthew 23 were meant to be taken literally, Fundamentalists would be just as guilty for using the word "teacher" and "doctor" and "mister" as Catholics for saying "father." But clearly, that would be a misunderstanding of Christ’s words. 

So What Did Jesus Mean?

Jesus criticized Jewish leaders who love "the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, and salutations in the market places, and being called ‘rabbi’ by men" (Matt. 23:6–7). His admonition here is a response to the Pharisees’ proud hearts and their grasping after marks of status and prestige. 
He was using hyperbole (exaggeration to make a point) to show the scribes and Pharisees how sinful and proud they were for not looking humbly to God as the source of all authority and fatherhood and teaching, and instead setting themselves up as the ultimate authorities, father figures, and teachers. 

Christ used hyperbole often, for example when he declared, "If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away; it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell" (Matt. 5:29, cf. 18:9; Mark 9:47). Christ certainly did not intend this to be applied literally, for otherwise all Christians would be blind amputees! (cf. 1 John 1:8; 1 Tim. 1:15). We are all subject to "the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life" (1 John 2:16). 

Since Jesus is demonstrably using hyperbole when he says not to call anyone our father—else we would not be able to refer to our earthly fathers as such—we must read his words carefully and with sensitivity to the presence of hyperbole if we wish to understand what he is saying. 

Jesus is not forbidding us to call men "fathers" who actually are such—either literally or spiritually. (See below on the apostolic example of spiritual fatherhood.) To refer to such people as fathers is only to acknowledge the truth, and Jesus is not against that. He is warning people against inaccurately attributing fatherhood—or a particular kind or degree of fatherhood—to those who do not have it. 

As the apostolic example shows, some individuals genuinely do have a spiritual fatherhood, meaning that they can be referred to as spiritual fathers. What must not be done is to confuse their form of spiritual paternity with that of God. Ultimately, God is our supreme protector, provider, and instructor. Correspondingly, it is wrong to view any individual other than God as having these roles. 

Throughout the world, some people have been tempted to look upon religious leaders who are mere mortals as if they were an individual’s supreme source of spiritual instruction, nourishment, and protection. The tendency to turn mere men into "gurus" is worldwide. 

This was also a temptation in the Jewish world of Jesus’ day, when famous rabbinical leaders, especially those who founded important schools, such as Hillel and Shammai, were highly exalted by their disciples. It is this elevation of an individual man—the formation of a "cult of personality" around him—of which Jesus is speaking when he warns against attributing to someone an undue role as master, father, or teacher. 

He is not forbidding the perfunctory use of honorifics nor forbidding us to recognize that the person does have a role as a spiritual father and teacher. The example of his own apostles shows us that. 

The Apostles Show the Way

The New Testament is filled with examples of and references to spiritual father-son and father-child relationships. Many people are not aware just how common these are, so it is worth quoting some of them here. 

~~> Paul regularly referred to Timothy as his child: "Therefore I sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ" (1 Cor. 4:17); 
~~> "To Timothy, my true child in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord" (1 Tim. 1:2); 
~~> "To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord" (2 Tim. 1:2).

He also referred to Timothy as his son: 
~~> "This charge I commit to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophetic utterances which pointed to you, that inspired by them you may wage the good warfare" (1 Tim 1:18);
~~>  "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:1); "But Timothy’s worth you know, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel" (Phil. 2:22). 

Paul also referred to other of his converts in this way: 
~~> "To Titus, my true child in a common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior" (Titus 1:4); 
~~> "I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become in my imprisonment" (Philem. 10). 

None of these men were Paul’s literal, biological sons. 
Rather, Paul is emphasizing his spiritual fatherhood with them. 

Spiritual Fatherhood

Perhaps the most pointed New Testament reference to the theology of the spiritual fatherhood of priests is Paul’s statement, "I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:14–15). 

Peter followed the same custom, referring to Mark as his son: "She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings; and so does my son Mark" (1 Pet. 5:13). 

The apostles sometimes referred to entire churches under their care as their children. 
Paul writes, "Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you; for children ought not to lay up for their parents, but parents for their children" (2 Cor. 12:14); and, "My little children, with whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you!" (Gal. 4:19). 

John said, "My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if any one does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1); "No greater joy can I have than this, to hear that my children follow the truth" (3 John 4). In fact, John also addresses men in his congregations as "fathers" (1 John 2:13–14). 

By referring to these people as their spiritual sons and spiritual children, Peter, Paul, and John imply their own roles as spiritual fathers. 

Since the Bible frequently speaks of this spiritual fatherhood, we Catholics acknowledge it and follow the custom of the apostles by calling priests "father." Failure to acknowledge this is a failure to recognize and honor a great gift God has bestowed on the Church: the spiritual fatherhood of the priesthood. 
Catholics know that as members of a parish, they have been committed to a priest’s spiritual care, thus they have great filial affection for priests and call them "father." 

Priests, in turn, follow the apostles’ biblical example by referring to members of their flock as "my son" or "my child" (cf. Gal. 4:19; 1 Tim. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:1; Philem. 10; 1 Pet. 5:13; 1 John 2:1; 3 John 4). 

All of these passages were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and they express the infallibly recorded truth that Christ’s ministers do have a role as spiritual fathers. Jesus is not against acknowledging that. It is he who gave these men their role as spiritual fathers, and it is his Holy Spirit who recorded this role for us in the pages of Scripture. 

To acknowledge spiritual fatherhood is to acknowledge the truth, and no amount of anti-Catholic grumbling will change that fact. 

NIHIL OBSTAT: I have concluded that the materials
presented in this work are free of doctrinal or moral errors.
Bernadeane Carr, STL, Censor Librorum, August 10, 2004

IMPRIMATUR: In accord with 1983 CIC 827
permission to publish this work is hereby granted.
+Robert H. Brom, Bishop of San Diego, August 10, 2004

Source: Catholic Answers