Jesus said: “If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell.” Mark 9:47. How many of you who object to calling elders of the church "Father" have only one eye because you plucked the other one out?
Zenas, your skills of interpretation are no better than Moriah's. Look at his audiance. They were people who interpreted the scriptures much like both of you do. They interpreted the law and its violation from a merely EXTERNAL point of view. Jesus said of them they were likened unto whited seplechures and clean cups on the OUTSIDE. This analogy is the perfect response to that kind of mentality. Those who define sin only EXTERNALLY are completely repudiated by this analogy. If sin is merely what a person does EXTERNALLY then take care of the EXTERNAL instrument which commits the sin. However, just a little thought will reveal that after you have poked out both eyes, cut off all limbs the problem of sin is not EXTERNAL but as Jesus taught his disciples it is derived from "the heart" (Mt. 15).
Jesus said: “When you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6. How many of you refuse to pray in church because it is done in public?
Again look at the context and unto whom Christ is making this comparison? It is the Pharisees who again are all about EXTERNAL's who make a point of praying openly and publicly for EXTERNAL show. It is in response to the PUBLIC SHOW that Jesus is responding to. So yes, in comparison to the PUBLIC SHOW by Pharisees, one should not literally pray AS SUCH or AS DESCRIBED or AS ILLUSTRATED by the Pharisees.
Jesus said: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” Luke 9:23. How many of you carry a heavy piece of wood around with you all day long?
Look at the language and it is obvious that Jesus is not speaking literally as it is impossible to crucify yourself much less crucify yourself "daily" because if you could crucify yourself even once you would be dead.
Unless you literally obey all these commandments, you have no standing to complain about Catholics and others using the title "Father" for their priests.
Your mixing apples with oranges. Some of these are to be understood literally while others are not. The immediate context for some of these commands DENY they can be understood literally as you suggest.
However, the context for denying anyone to address you as "Father" is one of literal ADDRESS in regard to giving them honor in a context of a SPIRITUAL and religious relationship. It is not one of PHYSICAL relationship and address. It is not one of metaphorical instrumentality but of literal address in regard to a SPIRITUAL epitaph. Paul never called upon his follows to ADDRESS him literally as "father."
Jesus was a master of hyperbole and that was what He was doing when He said, "Call no man father." He meant that no man should be accorded the honor and respect that we give to God.
When you call a person "father" who is not you physical father but is a RELIGIOUS and SPIRITUAL ADDRESS or TITLE you are usurping the honor and respect that belongs only to The Father in heaven.
Roman Catholic advocates mishandle the scriptures and it is through their mishandling of scriptures that their Roman Catholic doctrines are sustained. If they objectively handled the scriptures the Roman Catholic dogma's would be seen for what they really are - doctrines of demons.
