A pamphlet from Arthur Pink. Thoughts?
What strange methods God sometimes employs in teaching His Children much needed lessons! This has recently been the writer's experience. I have been approached by a "university" to accept from them a degree of "D. D." Asking for time to be given so that I might prayerfully seek from God, through His written word, a knowledge of His will, fuller light came than was expected. I had very serious doubt's as to the permissibility of one of God's servants accepting a title of fleshly honor. I now perceive that it is wrong for me to receive it even complimentary. Various friends, as a mark of respect, have addressed me as "Dr. Pink." I now ask them to please CEASE from doing so. Let it not be understood that I hereby condemn other men for what they allow. No, to their own Master they stand or fall. The principal passages which have helped me I now mention, praying that it may please God to also bless them to others.
FIRST, to the false comforters of Job, Elihu (God's representative) said. "Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give FLATTERING TITLES unto men" (Job 32:31). SECOND, "Be NOT ye called Rabbi" or teacher" (Matthew 23:8), which is what "Doctor" signifies. THIRD, John 5:44 reproves those who "receive honor one of another" and bids us seek "the honor that cometh from God ONLY." FOURTH, none of the Lord's servants in the New Testament ever employed a title. "Paul, an apostle, "but never "the apostle Paul." FIFTH, the Son of God "made Himself of no reputation" (Phil. 2:7); is it then fitting that His servants should now follow an opposite course? SIXTH, Christ bids us learn of Him who was "meek and lowly" (Matthew 11:29). SEVENTH, one of the marks of the apostasy as "having men's persons in admiration because of advantage" (Jude 17). EIGHTH, we are bidden to go forth unto Christ outside the camp "bearing His reproach" (Heb. 13:13).
For these reasons it does not seem to me to be fitting that one who is here as a representative and witness for a "despised and rejected" Christ should be honored and flattered of men. Please address me as "BROTHER PINK"
Too Many "Doctors"?
Discussion in 'Fundamental Baptist Forum' started by Ps104_33, Jul 7, 2008.
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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. -
That being said, within a church context, we should stick to biblical terms. -
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Squire Robertsson AdministratorAdministrator
As I see the situation, the problem has more to do with the limits of the English language than with man's pride (not to minimize that as a factor). Modern English is unable to show respect for an individual without the use of titles.
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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? -
Squire Robertsson AdministratorAdministrator
And yes, pride does play a part. -
Look forward to your insight. -
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Ed -
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 -
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. -
Bro. James Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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!
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