The HARD TRUTH with Dr. Kennedy Musonda, Ph.D.
TODAY’S article is the second in the series of four entitled “why you should not call your pastor Papa, and it is entitled “taking the place of God.”
It is based on the first century Papas who took the place of God. In last week’s article, I discussed the first reason I think Jesus forbade calling any religious leader Papa. I have already discussed the biblical support for calling religious leaders as Papa from both the Old and New Testaments.
In the series entitled Biblical Support for Papalism, I explained the context of biblical support for spiritual father/son using the ancient Jewish father/son and Paul/Timothy relationships.
Kindly search for these articles on Kalemba before using the scriptures I have already explained to critique the current series. I have also explained that I will reconcile the two views at the end of this series: support for Papalism and Jesus’ prohibition for Papalism.
Today, I am focusing on how the first century Papas took the place of God, which some, if not most, contemporary Papas are doing. The first-century Papas (Scribes and Pharisees) took the place of God. They took the honor upon themselves, which only belonged to God. Like some or most contemporary Papa’s, they were held in extremely high esteem.
One scholar state that “people rose when scribes and Pharisees passed by; they were invited to feasts and given seats of honor; their tombs were venerated. They were greeted respectfully as “Rabbi,” “Father” or “Master.”
Jesus said to his disciples in the presence of the multitude that “beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows’ houses, and for a show make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation” (Luke 20:45-47).
It is amazing how most of today’s clergy in Africa and Zambia are loving titles and honor and being idolized. Even denominations that a few decades ago refused titles such as reverend or bishop and condemned other churches that used such titles have exceeded their passion for such titles beyond the denominations they condemned.
Only time will tell where this insatiable quest for titles will take us. I will not be surprised if one clergy will not call himself deputy God sooner or later. Where is the servant leadership that Jesus introduced in the Gospels for His church (Luke 22:26; Mark 10:42-45)?
The Hard Truth is that instead of being servant leaders, some religious leaders are chief executives in their attitude towards the ministry. Are today’s clergy competing with Chief Executives in the private sector?
The people who advocate being called Papa, Father, Dada have not fully understood the implication of that title when it is given to a religious leader. Banes commentary on Mathew 23:9 has this to say, “the word father denotes authority, eminence, superiority, a right to command, and a claim to particular respect. In a sense, as it is used here, it belongs eminently to God, and it is not right to give it to people.
Christian brethren are equal. Only God has supreme authority. He only has a right to give laws; to declare doctrines that shall bind the conscience; to punish disobedience.
The Jewish teachers affected that title because they seem to have supposed that a teacher formed the man or gave him real life and sought, therefore, to be called father. Christ taught them that the source of all life and truth was God, and they ought not to seek or receive a title which properly belongs to him.”
Today, even Papa’s that do not measure up to what the first-century Papa’s did even by 1% are still commanding people’s conscience as if they are the way to God. Some Papa’s followers even pray “in the name God of Papa” as if they do not have a direct relationship with God through Jesus.
If Jesus could forbid calling religious leaders, father, who did so much more for their disciples who lived with them for 15 years and went everywhere with them, how can you even attempt to call your religious leader Papa whom you only see on Sunday and don’t even have a personal relationship with?
Some Papa’s threaten their members with curses while others get upset when a member goes out of town without telling them saying, “you have gone out of town without my covering.”
Others say you cannot be blessed without me (2 Chronicles 20:20) as if they have domesticated God in their lives like UN conventions. We, as servants of God, must be very careful not to take the place of God. We should be respected, but we should not take the respect from members too far, to the point of being worshipped. God does not share his glory with anyone, or else you will end up an enemy of God (Isaiah 42:8).
Author: Dr. Kennedy Musonda an international development consultant holds a Bachelor and Master of Social Work, a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Ph.D. in Business Administration.
For feedback contact email: kmusonda@gmail.com, WhatsApp/Telegram line +260977526404 or Skype: kmusonda45
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