Titles

One of the most common ideas that new Anglicans have to wrestle with is the idea of titles in the Church: bishop, priest, deacon, etc. Perhaps the most difficult title to get over is calling the priest "Father." Doesn't Jesus say, "But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ." There are a couple of issues with concluding that calling your priest is, therefore, unbiblical.

First, these are all terms used throughout the Bible (i.e. "Honor your father and your mother.") Not only this but St. Paul refers to Timothy as his spiritual son, placing himself as a spiritual father. St. Paul goes further and in 1 Corinthians says  “I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” Paul very clearly refers to himself as a spiritual father. It was not that Paul didn't know Christ's words, rather it was because he knew Christ and wanted to reflect that to others.

The second issue is that "call no man father" is often taken out of context. In this passage, Christ is addressing the Pharisees and Scribes and chastising them for holding their importance and position over others. They are placing themselves in the role of God and Jesus is bringing correction. So, it is not the title Father that is bad but rather the heart behind it. Is a priest lauding his title over others, or is he caring and loving the people of God leading them to the Father, as their spiritual father? All earthly fathers are to be an image of the love and care of our heavenly Father.

Titles are important both in the world around us and in the Church. They are important because it tells you who someone is and what they do but it also tells you who they should be. When we think "President" we might think of our current President but we probably also think of someone who embodies the essence of the office too. Just as the different titles for anything or anyone help to show something true. A bathroom can also be called a washroom or simply the toilet. Each title highlights a use for the room. One isn't better or worse than the other, though some might be more polite based on the situation.

In the 1549 Book of Common Prayer, we are given different titles for Holy Communion. The title page says "The Supper of the Lord and the Holy Communion, commonly called the Mass." Here we are given three titles, why? Each title highlights something about the service, one isn't better than the other. All are appropriate for Anglicans, but sometimes certain terms are better used than others. For example, the Lord's Supper evokes the Biblical imagery of the Last Supper when Christ instituted it. It also reminds us of the heavenly feast that we participate in, that we truly sup on the heavenly and spiritual food required for the Christian life (i.e. John 6). However, Holy Communion is rightly used to reflect our union to Christ through the sacraments and our union to one another as we come to receive Christ as the body of Christ. This is why St. Paul warns of receiving the sacrament if we have offended another member. He tells us, and our Exhortation reminds us, that we should go and confess our sins and reconcile with the other before we come to the Altar. After all, how can the Body of Christ be joined to Christ who is its head, if the body is divided? Lastly, the term Mass is a common but important way to emphasize the purpose behind the liturgy, that we participate in the work of God in the service but that we are also nourished and sent out to continue in the work of God.

We could look at other titles used, like "Holy Eucharist" or the "Divine Service." The point, however, is that as we come across different names, we look to see how they highlight Scripture and theological truths. What can we learn from this title or that one? Most titles are not better than others, though each one serves a purpose. Whether you call me Pastor, Reverend, or Father or use the term Holy Communion, Lord's Supper, or the Mass, remember that words have meaning and titles are there to help us live into the truths of Scripture.

God's Peace,

Fr. Aaron