From a ‘Net friend

This contrasts with some countries where clergy receive tax and travel benefits, or, to murder the English language, are called ‘Reverend’!

I must admit, I am curious about the use of this title in Protestant churches. I hadthis argument once with a Catholic friend about the “call no man ‘Father’ …” verse and he objected that “revering” someone is putting them on a much higher pedestal than calling them “Father” which (today) is a warm and familiar term. On the other hand, in one of his books Tim Costello says it means “one who should be reverent”. But Tim is sometimes a bit loose with his theological jargon, and although my Latin is pretty poor, I’m certain that if anything it would mean “one who should be revered”. Is there anything wrong with simply “Pastor” as both description and title, I wonder? Best wishes, Tom

~~~

Tom, I’m with you.

I only use ‘Reverend’ in official (mostly secular) contexts…

(Christian names are Christian… and they should be enough)…

Shalom!

Rowland Croucher

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