Too Many "Doctors"?

..Response removed by me..

Ed

 

I do not believe that any child of God should have a title other than Pastor, Bishop etc..

I believe that the title of Dr. is lifting oneself above other brothers and sisters in Christ and refuse to address any man as such.

Exception of course is a Medical doctor

In my opinion the highest title any man can hold in the secular or spiritual sense is Pastor.

 

Why should the MD get an exception? The use of "doctor" in the university precedes the use of "doctor" in the medical profession. The word itself means "teacher."

That being said, within a church context, we should stick to biblical terms.

 

Do you have Bible evidence for any title?

 

1 Tim 1:15 "Chief Sinner"

 

But does the language really count, or is it the attitude?

I am not so sure that titles like pastor are the right way to go. Do we use titles like Janitor Jim, Chief Executive Alice, or Teacher Bob? Why the desire for titles after all?

 

Been mulling this for a while. I so far don't see how calling me 'pastor' shows any respect or honour. It is the heart behind it. People can all me "Roger" and show great respect and honour and call me "pastor" and show contempt.

Look forward to your insight.

 

Odd that Pink's writings are rife with citations of "Doctors".

 

Ain't it!

Ed

 

Any evidence that any individual was ever addressed as "Pastor" (or lit. "Shepherd") or "Bishop" ("Overseer") or "etc." as a title?

I see these words, along with some other "spiritual sense" words used as "descriptors" (Did I just coin that word?? Let me check, since Language Cop is sitting here, about to have a 'hissy.' Nah, I just 'coined' this definition!) of individuals, such as "Paul, an apostle;" "Jonah, the prophet;" "Philip, the evangelist; and the writer of II John who simply calls himself "the elder" without even giving his own name, to name but four examples.

As I read Scripture, pastor and teacher is a spiritual gift, but is never an office or a title.

Oh yeah, as a Junior Member, welcome to the Baptist Board.

Even though you have already been around for more than a year longer than I have been. :laugh: :laugh:

Ed

 

Thanks for the viewpoints everyone. It is always good to see things through a different perspective.

I have been here a while, I usually just read what others have written. I do not start topics very often.

 

I don't have a problem as much with the title "Dr." as I do with the proliferation of "honorary doctorates" handed out like candy as tools for institutional loyalty and the insistence that recipients of such fake degrees must properly be referenced as "Dr."

Fake "honorary" doctorates passed out by many Christian kawledges make Christian institutions of higher learning look like a laughing stock to the world. They are also to the detriment of real earned doctorates much like inflationary spending is to the value of a hard-earned dollar.

 

An academic doctorate came long before a medical doctorate. In England, one does not address a medical doctor as "Dr." That woukd be an insult. We call then Mr.

In the early days, "honourary doctorates" were conferred on accomplished pastors, and they have every rght to use the title "Dr.". It no more elevates on above another than does "Lord", "Sir" or even "Mr.".

The elevation of person above another comes often from the person addressing the holder, more than the person themself.

I do, however, believe that we tend to make more of theological degrees in the church than we ought, whether earned or other wise obtained.

Cheers, and bless,

Jim

 

True to a point. Since, however, the primary way of achieving a "doctorate" is by a research/thesis, I see no problem with someone receiving a doctorate who has done many such works, but never for a grade. For instance, if someone like, say R.C. Sproul was given an honorary doctorate (he actually has a real one, I am just giving examples), I would have no problem with it, as He has in actuality earned it.
But "Brother Bob" should not get an honorary doctorate, just because He contributed a million bucks to the new library.

Secondly, in regards to the original post of this thread, I have no problem with someone getting a doctorate, as a demarcation of the amount of study he has done. I have a problem with Christians insisting on being addressed by their "title", though.

 

What significance do the terms Most Reverend Doctor and Right Reverend Doctor have on this discussion?

A lot of this seems to border on "respect of persons" which is expressly forbidden in the NT. Then there is sainthood usually three hundred years posthumus. Canonization and beatification go back to before the mother of James and John tried to get special spots for her sons--next to God.

Brother and sister works just fine for the laity. The Nicolaitans have had trouble with it for many years.

We seem to have a built in nature for caste, pecking order.

Selah,

Bro. James

 

We need a balanced approach to Scripture.

There is nothing wrong in showing respect to another human being even through the use of titles.

In fact it is a biblical mandate.

Romans 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

For instance, if you are an enlisted man in the military and you don't show honor and/or respect to officers by the titles you use (mostly "sir") when addressing them you will soon have what little freedom you have taken away Christian or not.

I believe the Romans passage above applies even in the churches as long as our Father ultimately receives the glory as the giver of the abilities and gifts.

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.


HankD​

 

I must say, good point! When the world at large sees intelligent, educated, dedicated, hard working Christians, who are humble, and not proud and arrogant about it, is should most certainly bring glory to our Lord!