Is the use of "St." or "Rev." appropriate?

Dang it, Music Man!

Rev. G

 

It's OK, Rev. G - we all know that firstly you're a sinner.

 

Thank God salvation is ALL OF GRACE!

Rev. G

 

I am very uncomfortable calling anyone "Reverend", due to this verse....

Psalm 111:9 "He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name."

"Saint" is different. It seems all true Christians are called saints. (Acts 9:13,Romans 8:27, just 2 of many, many references to all of us being saints.) In fact, it seems to me that even the backslidden Christians from the church at Corinth are called saints (2Corinthians 1:1)

[ October 07, 2002, 05:40 AM: Message edited by: Bro. Curtis ]

 

Bro. Curtis,
Rev. is just another title like Mr. In England, years ago, it was never written as just Rev. It was always The Rev'd Mr. Jones.or whatever name applied. It was a title of respect, and recognition that this person was supposedly a man of God.

I certainly wouldn't claim the Hebrew meaning of the word translated at "reverend" which means "awe-inspiring".

Pastor is an office and not a title. I suppose we could be called an Elder,or an Pastor, but strictly speaking Pastor Jones is incorrect.

I really don't get all stirred up by what people call me. I used to get sticky wicket about being called "Reverend", but it grew on me after a few years, knowing I would never change people.

About 40 years ago, many Baptist preachers made friends in right places to get a DD so they could be called Doctor rather than Reverend...I am not sure which is worse. Then, when you are called "doctor" you can't put your degree after yor name. With Reverend you can...so, it is either Dr. Jones or The Rev'd Jones, DD whatever.

What's wrong with "Jim"?

Cheers in the Lord,

The Rev'd Mr. Jim, pastor emeritus, ret'd

 

Bro. Curtis wrote:

Yes St. Bro. Curtis, I totally agree.

St. Sherrie (should it be with an e...Ste. Sherrie)

[ October 07, 2002, 10:06 AM: Message edited by: Sherrie ]

 

It is interesting the the word "sanctification," "holy," and "saints" are all English translations of the Greek word hagios.

This word occurs in the NT 278. In 31 places it is translated as a form of the word "sanctify." 167 times "holy." 62 times "saints."

If you are a born-again, bought-by-the-blood, believer then you are a saint.

My message yesterday morning was on this very topic. To see the full message visit:
http://www.ckt.net/xbc/sermon.htm

 

I believe it is partly due to the semi-deification of Biblical Saints. I remember the altar in my old RCC,(Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Athol Mass) had the "bone of a saint" in it. To make the altar a more Holy object, I assume. Nobody knew which saint, BTW.

 

How about "Saintess"

 

Hi Jim.

No offense, but I've been thru this before, and I will refuse to call anybody "Reverend", or "Father" for that matter, only because of what my KJV says. Call me old-fashioned, ignorant, or whatever, but I do believe I have an accurate translation in my hands, and that's what it says.

I call my pastor, "Pastor". "Doc", sometimes.

I have not met any "awe-inspiring men. I have read awe-inspiring passages, and heard awe-inspiring sermons from the mouths of men, but that's the Holy Spirit's work, not said men.

 

Yes, what is wrong with the names our parents gave us? What is the motivation that we desire ANY kind of title in front of our names? I have never been offended by any adult calling me by my first name. Even if we stick to the scriptural designations for certain offices (bishop, elder, deacon), even those are names of offices, not titles bestowed on the holder of the office.

 

I told my church they can call me anything, reverend, pastor, dr., preacher, elder, or even Wayne but don't call me late for potluck dinner.

[ October 08, 2002, 11:57 AM: Message edited by: Circuitrider ]

 

I won't call anyone "Reverend" except him who deserves the title, that's Christ. As far as saints, I believe it's primarily the RCC that calls people who have died "saints" and not the whole saved population. For the record, I don't believe this is proper. The bible says we're saints if we're saved.

St. Grammy

 

In England, it was always proper to call a person by their last name until they gave you permission to use their first name.

C.H. Spurgeon, as I understand it, was called Mr. Spurgeon all his life. Respect is an earned thing, and that respect can be shown in ways other than a title.

I am not fussy about what I am called, but respond best to Jim or James.

Just another note from England. We called a doctor "Mr.". If we used the term Doctor, it was not a good monicker.

Along this vain; I have never allowed a church to display my degrees on a bulletin board. I never felt comfortable with an advert suggesting, "We have a clever bloke at the helm." I would rather they think this is a church of the Christ.

We all have hang-ups, don't we?

Cheers,

Jim

PS. Glad to finally see some activity on this site.

 

Amen to THAT, Brother Jim.

 

I've always said
"call me brother, call me friend But, please don't call me reverend.

By God's Grace
Saint John

 

We all have hang-ups? You bet. I especially
dislike titles. Just call me Abiyah.