Shall We Call Preachers “Reverend,”  “Father,” etc.?

     Numerous titles are bestowed upon preachers throughout the religious world.  There are “reverends” and “right reverends” and “pastors,” “fathers,” etc.  Should we refer to preachers using such titles?  Is there Biblical authority to bestow religious titles such as these upon a preacher?  Let us seek the Bible answer.
     The use of religious titles has been a common practice for centuries so as to distinguish the “clergy” from the “laity.”  However, this is a very strong and compelling argument against the use of religious titles.  There is no distinction made in the New Testament between the “clergy” and the “laity.”  Preachers are nowhere exalted above the members of the local congregation.  Nowhere in the New Testament do we find reference to the Right Reverend Paul or Pope Peter.  All Christians are priests (2 Pet.2:5,9).  Unfortunately, many in the world have attempted to bestow this privilege upon the “clergy,” thereby exalting them above the members.  Upon a thorough examination of the New Testament, a distinction between “clergy” and “laity” disappears.  No Christian is any more or less important than another Christian.
     Another case against the use of religious titles is the words of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 23:8-10.  Jesus here condemns those who would use religious titles as a means self-glorification or self-exaltation.  There is nothing wrong with calling someone a teacher (“rabbi”) in a spiritual sense, but to do so to exalt that one above another would be wrong.  There is nothing wrong with calling someone reverend as long as his/her life is lived in such a way as to be worthy of respect or reverence.  To call someone “reverend” so as to exalt that person religiously is a direct violation of Matthew 23:8-10 [By the way, a person cannot be a reverend.  The word reverend is an adjective, not a noun.].  The same holds true for the term father.  We have earthly fathers.  If we are Christians then, no doubt, we have had spiritual fathers, those who instructed us in the way of the Lord (see 1 Cor.4:15; 1 Tim.1:2).  However, to call such a one father so as to exalt him above another is wrong.
     As Christians, we should all live our lives in such a way that they may be characterized by such terms as reverend, holy, honorable, blameless, etc.  However, we should never be guilty of desiring such descriptions for the purpose of self-glorification of for the praises of men.  Neither should we be guilty of bestowing these titles upon a preacher in order to place him upon a pedestal.  It is the height of spiritual arrogance to request that someone should call us by such a description.

Do you have a Bible question that deserves a Bible answer?  Do you want more information about this subject?  Feel free to contact the Mabelvale church of Christ at 455-2548 or by fax at 407-0072.  We may also be reached by e-mail at mabelval@cei.net, and we have a web page at www.cei.net/~mabelval.  On the web page you will find archives of all of the “Ask A Bible Questions” to date, as well as other items.  Also, tune into the Search television program on Sunday mornings at 8:00 on channel 4.