Greg Chandler
10/05/15
Jorge Mario Bergoglio recently paid a call on the United States. Better known by the name Francis, Bergoglio enjoyed the goodwill of millions of American Catholics, who reveled in a visit from their leader. This leader’s title, Pontifex Maximus (“Supreme Pontiff”), implies a great deal about his authority over his followers. Like many things Catholic, the origin of the title Pontifex Maximus is a bit murky, yet can be traced back to an “exalted” position within paganism prior to the age of Catholicism. When Roman leaders began to adopt Christianity as the official religion of the empire, they absconded with this title for themselves, using it to reflect their position as the “head of the church.” It was not until the division within the empire that the title began to be used exclusively on the bishop of Rome; yet, even then, most of these men did not accept the moniker. It was, perhaps, as late as the 10th century that the title became an accepted term for this religious leader.
Today, most practicing Catholics do not call their leader by the title Pontifex Maximus, but rather by the simple name pope. Originally, the Greek word pope was an affectionate term for a fatherly figure; such can certainly be deduced by modern words tracing back to the same origin (i.e. papa, pa, pop) and was often used on a wide array of religious men. Over time, however, the term became much more exclusive, primarily referring to the Catholic bishop of Rome. The Catholic Encyclopedia, as found on the New Advent website (newadvent.org) makes the following statement about the usage of this term: “The title pope, once used with far greater latitude…is at present employed solely to denote the Bishop of Rome, who, in virtue of his position as successor of St. Peter, is the chief pastor of the whole Church, the Vicar of Christ upon earth.” With this in mind, questions certainly arise concerning the words of Jesus when He stated, “And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven” (Matthew 23:9).
In looking at the Lord’s statement, it should first be noted that He is not forbidding the use of the term “father.” Besides being a descriptor for the man who helps give life to a child, the Apostle Paul certainly employed the idea when he wrote, “To Timothy, my true child in the faith” (I Timothy 1:2). He also wrote to Philemon on behalf of his runaway slave, stating, “I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment” (Philemon 1:10). Thus, concerning the Lord’s command, it is obvious from these inspired texts that He did not intend to forbid usage of this term in every situation.
When considering the meaning of the Lord’s command, it is essential that the context of the verse be taken into consideration. Matthew 23 is perhaps the fieriest sermon found in the New Testament. In His rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees, the Lord clearly identifies their hypocrisy and the dangers it posed for those who would blindly follow. One of the many failings of this religious group was their thirst for power and recognition; thus, Jesus explains how they love the place of honor, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the market place, and titles of authority, such as rabbi. In this context, the Lord commands that they not be called rabbi, “for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers” (vs. 8). Additionally, He commands that no man be called father on earth, “for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” Finally, He commands that no one be called an instructor, “for you have one instructor, the Christ” (vs. 10). Just as was stated about the term father, Jesus is not forbidding the use of the term rabbi or instructor in a general sense; His forbiddance arises from the use of these to imply an exalted position over other men.
Based on the Lord’s clear instruction, no man should seek to make himself a “father” over someone else by the exercise of unauthorized power. While Paul referred to Timothy and Onesimus as sons in the faith, he certainly did not expect to be exalted by them; never did he command these men, nor allow any other, to refer to him by the title “father” to illustrate an exalted spiritual position. Thus, based on the Lord’s command and the context in which it is found, no man should refer to another as his “pope,” As well, titles such as reverend, most reverend, bishop, pastor and the like must never be applied in such a way as to designate some type of spiritual superiority held over others.
All men and women alike must realize their human equality. In fact, the man who Catholics mistakenly refer to as the first pope refused any type of exaltation: “But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man” (Acts 10:26). Far from seeking praise from men, Paul wrote: “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (I Timothy 1:15). Concerning every man and woman who has or will live, God records that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). By example of men whose godly actions are recorded in the Bible and by the realization of mankind’s willing relationship with sin, there is no one who can or should seek a title of superiority over another.
The good news for all of mankind is that there is a Father who loves His creation and has provided a way back into a familial relationship with Him. Indeed, all can pray these words with the Apostle Paul:
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:14-19
What a beautiful thought that, though man cannot ascend to levels of spiritual superiority, the God of Heaven condescends to show love for His wayward creation. In this, we can lovingly call Him Father and He will call us His sons.