[metmom]

Taken at face value, the admonition of the Lord, "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven," (Matthew 23:9) would absolutely exclude even calling one's own earthly dad "Father," as well as claiming to be a spiritual father. Instead, it is to be understood as hyperbole, designed to make a point, which contextually not elevating oneself or others like as was the case with the scribes and Pharisees, "above that which is written, " as the Corinthians (1Co,. 4:6) were, and as is the case in Catholicism.

Not even taken at face value.

The whole context of the discussion was religious titles and therefore even at face value, it could not possibly mean one's earthly father. The only way that could even be a consideration is to take the verse completely out of context and ignore the rest of what Jesus was saying in that conversation.

[daniel1212]

Not even taken at face value. The whole context of the discussion was religious titles and therefore even at face value, it could not possibly mean one's earthly father. The only way that could even be a consideration is to take the verse completely out of context and ignore the rest of what Jesus was saying in that conversation.

True, except as in Catholic face value when it means isolationist eisegesis.