Mike kindly pointed out in the emails I forgot to mention that in Genesis 17, God himself tells Abraham he will become the father of a multitude of nations.
Those of us born to and socialized in faith addressing Priests as 'Father' are habitually accustomed to this designation. If not 'Father', what is the Title of a 'Holy Man' taking the role of Priest?
What people often misunderstand about reverend is that it is an honourific title. It is proper to refer to someone as “the Reverend such and such” but no “Reverend such and such”.
Precisely in the same way as a member of Parliament is referred to as “the Honourable member for x” but you’d never say just “Honourable such and such”. It is incorrect.
Will do...And, it's just not the same. Seems to diminish a sense of spiritual connectedness or sense of humanity and real spiritual protectiveness inherent to a faithful Priest consecrated to God.
I (like) that you removed Fr from Twitter. I see it as something similar to abstaining from a glass of wine in public for the sake of those with (weaker faith). I love your explanation of and use of, the term Father in Christianity. I am an Evangelical Christian. I may not fully embrace all of Anglo-Catholic traditions, but I am not willing to reject you, Fr Calvin Robinson. I consider you a good shepherd and a brother in Christ. I want more people to hear what you have to say, because I believe we need people like you in our world. If removing Father from Twitter accomplishes this, I'm all for it. I don't see it as compromising.
I grew up Pentecostal (Assemblies of God, non-liturgical), so of course, we never used the title Father, but this has never been a hang up for me. I've been very interested in studying and teaching others about more traditional/liturgical Christianity, and I'll keep this in my back pocket, in case the objection is raised. Thanks, Father Calvin!
I am not trying to be smart here, but thank you, Pastor Robinson. You have made some interesting points, even compelling in some places; however, I believe it is unbecoming to address a man of God, such as yourself and other priests, as Father.
I love what you do, and by God's grace, I pray that the Lord will continue to lead and protect you as you overcome the Enemy's attacks as you go about His business.
Thank you for beautifully, succinctly and non-judgmentally clarifying this issue. It makes the matter clear. It is surprising that you removed the Father from your Twitter. You seem to back down for no one. I am thankful you are seeking to find the beauty of commonality rather than seeking for ways to find division among the flock. I am praying for you as you are on the front lines in the fight for the faith. Praying for your stamina as well as rest.
I just wish to comment in general that I have become a Calvin Robinson junkie.
Our family left the American Episcopal Church in 1977 to the Anglican Catholic Church here in America.
Forty years in the desert, but now we see a new generation of true Anglicans taking up the faith. So happy for this! Our third son is an Anglican priest with a large family and a faithful church in Denver, Colorado.
God bless you Father Robinson. We will pray for you! Thank you for your faith and courage!
All quite true, and further to the above, it has Apostolic precedent: St Paul describes himself as "father" to the Corinthian church (1 Cor 4:15). Hence it makes sense that from the earliest days of the church, clergy were addressed as "Father." Once again, the attackers of tradition seem to think that they know what Our Lord did and did not teach better than the first two or three generations of his followers, on the basis of the texts available to them almost two millennia later - even though St John explicitly ends his Gospel with the warning that it would be impossible to write down everything that Our Lord said and taught (Jn 21:25).
Great article Father! You'd make a great Catholic! Many who want to take Jesus literally in this Matthew 23 verse seem to be much less willing to do so when it comes to verses like John Chapter 6 ("my flesh is true food..."). Perhaps we need an Authoritative Institution inspired by the Holy Spirit to interpret scripture?....
Interesting thoughts Calvin. I never set out to be called father and I did not come from that tradition but found in ministry it was a term that was just used by many for me in various places so it stuck, I became Father Tim. I never really minded as so many people used it but generally I would always say just call me Tim. I suppose as with any labels the Gospel I felt just remained the same whatever I was called.
An excellent piece, Fr Calvin. As a mark of respect for the person and the office, I invariably call priests, ministers / pastors and religious ' Fr, Pastor, Revd, Br or Sr.'
I guess I am a little puritanical to be fair but I just prefer to use peoples names and not titles. Each to their own. I respect your view point though. I have found many “reverends” are anything but people to be revered and one earthly father is all I need. Thank you for your steadfastness in holding to scripture in the face of so much opposition. I pray our Lord continues to use you and bless others through your faithfulness to Him.
I could have chosen stronger language, believe you me, but for a mere man to accept a divine title is too much to stomach! Judge me by Scripture, please!
In my own Anglo-Catholic tradition, only ordained priests are addressed by the title "Father", & ordained deacons are addressed as "Reverend" - but of course, I do understand that traditions pertaining to those titles may vary in different regions & countries, so it's not something I would consider contentious if a deacon in some areas is addressed as "Father".
However, I do believe it's natural to want to address such people using an appropriate title, simply as a mark of respect for their role & their qualifications. In order to become an ordained deacon or priest these days, there's usually a requirement to have at least the equivalent of a university Bachelor's degree in Theology/Divinity or similarly titled qualification, so that they are able to lead & teach a church congregation. The period of time spent as a deacon/curate in a parish church (usually around 12 months or so) helps to provide practical experience & training in doing that, prior to ordination to the priesthood, if that is the ultimate intention.
My own parish church has helped to provide that practical experience to several deacons, over a number of years, all of whom have eventually been ordained into the priesthood & are now either serving as priests in other parish churches or as military chaplains in the armed forces. Those serving as parish priests do usually get addressed as "Father", while those serving as military chaplains are usually addressed as "Padre" - which is both the Spanish & Italian word for "father" in any case.
Mike kindly pointed out in the emails I forgot to mention that in Genesis 17, God himself tells Abraham he will become the father of a multitude of nations.
Those of us born to and socialized in faith addressing Priests as 'Father' are habitually accustomed to this designation. If not 'Father', what is the Title of a 'Holy Man' taking the role of Priest?
You could always just address them as "Reverend", if need be.
What people often misunderstand about reverend is that it is an honourific title. It is proper to refer to someone as “the Reverend such and such” but no “Reverend such and such”.
Precisely in the same way as a member of Parliament is referred to as “the Honourable member for x” but you’d never say just “Honourable such and such”. It is incorrect.
Will do...And, it's just not the same. Seems to diminish a sense of spiritual connectedness or sense of humanity and real spiritual protectiveness inherent to a faithful Priest consecrated to God.
I (like) that you removed Fr from Twitter. I see it as something similar to abstaining from a glass of wine in public for the sake of those with (weaker faith). I love your explanation of and use of, the term Father in Christianity. I am an Evangelical Christian. I may not fully embrace all of Anglo-Catholic traditions, but I am not willing to reject you, Fr Calvin Robinson. I consider you a good shepherd and a brother in Christ. I want more people to hear what you have to say, because I believe we need people like you in our world. If removing Father from Twitter accomplishes this, I'm all for it. I don't see it as compromising.
The Devil is trying to divide us in this earth - Evangelical or Catholic. God bless you, Samantha. God bless you, Fr Calvin Robinson.
I grew up Pentecostal (Assemblies of God, non-liturgical), so of course, we never used the title Father, but this has never been a hang up for me. I've been very interested in studying and teaching others about more traditional/liturgical Christianity, and I'll keep this in my back pocket, in case the objection is raised. Thanks, Father Calvin!
I am not trying to be smart here, but thank you, Pastor Robinson. You have made some interesting points, even compelling in some places; however, I believe it is unbecoming to address a man of God, such as yourself and other priests, as Father.
I love what you do, and by God's grace, I pray that the Lord will continue to lead and protect you as you overcome the Enemy's attacks as you go about His business.
In Christ
Thank you for beautifully, succinctly and non-judgmentally clarifying this issue. It makes the matter clear. It is surprising that you removed the Father from your Twitter. You seem to back down for no one. I am thankful you are seeking to find the beauty of commonality rather than seeking for ways to find division among the flock. I am praying for you as you are on the front lines in the fight for the faith. Praying for your stamina as well as rest.
I just wish to comment in general that I have become a Calvin Robinson junkie.
Our family left the American Episcopal Church in 1977 to the Anglican Catholic Church here in America.
Forty years in the desert, but now we see a new generation of true Anglicans taking up the faith. So happy for this! Our third son is an Anglican priest with a large family and a faithful church in Denver, Colorado.
God bless you Father Robinson. We will pray for you! Thank you for your faith and courage!
God bless you, too. 🙏
All quite true, and further to the above, it has Apostolic precedent: St Paul describes himself as "father" to the Corinthian church (1 Cor 4:15). Hence it makes sense that from the earliest days of the church, clergy were addressed as "Father." Once again, the attackers of tradition seem to think that they know what Our Lord did and did not teach better than the first two or three generations of his followers, on the basis of the texts available to them almost two millennia later - even though St John explicitly ends his Gospel with the warning that it would be impossible to write down everything that Our Lord said and taught (Jn 21:25).
Some people do not understand tradition.
Great article Father! You'd make a great Catholic! Many who want to take Jesus literally in this Matthew 23 verse seem to be much less willing to do so when it comes to verses like John Chapter 6 ("my flesh is true food..."). Perhaps we need an Authoritative Institution inspired by the Holy Spirit to interpret scripture?....
i have seen people argue that pope is illegitimate because the word "pope" derives from "father" and Matthew 23 says call no man father
true story
Thank you, Father.
Interesting thoughts Calvin. I never set out to be called father and I did not come from that tradition but found in ministry it was a term that was just used by many for me in various places so it stuck, I became Father Tim. I never really minded as so many people used it but generally I would always say just call me Tim. I suppose as with any labels the Gospel I felt just remained the same whatever I was called.
Logical, clear explanation. Having been brought up Catholic I call all priests ‘Father’ including vicars...🤷🏽♂️
An excellent piece, Fr Calvin. As a mark of respect for the person and the office, I invariably call priests, ministers / pastors and religious ' Fr, Pastor, Revd, Br or Sr.'
I guess I am a little puritanical to be fair but I just prefer to use peoples names and not titles. Each to their own. I respect your view point though. I have found many “reverends” are anything but people to be revered and one earthly father is all I need. Thank you for your steadfastness in holding to scripture in the face of so much opposition. I pray our Lord continues to use you and bless others through your faithfulness to Him.
I am offended by the pope being blasphemously called 'holy father', an ascription derived from John 17:11! It must be rejected in toto.
Who is my neighbor?
I have read your comments with interest. I think that the Protestant Reformers would have chosen stronger language than I would.
I could have chosen stronger language, believe you me, but for a mere man to accept a divine title is too much to stomach! Judge me by Scripture, please!
In my own Anglo-Catholic tradition, only ordained priests are addressed by the title "Father", & ordained deacons are addressed as "Reverend" - but of course, I do understand that traditions pertaining to those titles may vary in different regions & countries, so it's not something I would consider contentious if a deacon in some areas is addressed as "Father".
However, I do believe it's natural to want to address such people using an appropriate title, simply as a mark of respect for their role & their qualifications. In order to become an ordained deacon or priest these days, there's usually a requirement to have at least the equivalent of a university Bachelor's degree in Theology/Divinity or similarly titled qualification, so that they are able to lead & teach a church congregation. The period of time spent as a deacon/curate in a parish church (usually around 12 months or so) helps to provide practical experience & training in doing that, prior to ordination to the priesthood, if that is the ultimate intention.
My own parish church has helped to provide that practical experience to several deacons, over a number of years, all of whom have eventually been ordained into the priesthood & are now either serving as priests in other parish churches or as military chaplains in the armed forces. Those serving as parish priests do usually get addressed as "Father", while those serving as military chaplains are usually addressed as "Padre" - which is both the Spanish & Italian word for "father" in any case.