No Titles, Please
by Joe Slater
One of the minor annoyances of being a preacher is that well-meaning people frequently put some title before your name. It may be Reverend, Pastor, Father, or some other title. They are trying to be respectful, which I appreciate even though I repudiate the titles. I tell them that my mom named me Joe, and that’s what I go by! As with other unusual aspects of the Lord’s church, people wonder why we don’t use titles. We owe them a courteous, Biblical answer. Jumping down someone’s throat feet-first for using a religious title is counterproductive. Just smile as you explain; most people will listen and respect you, even if they disagree or don’t understand. Be certain your reasoning is biblical.
Shortly after I began learning the Scriptures, someone taught me that the title “Reverend” was wrong because it was used only once in the Bible and referred to the name of God: “Holy and reverend is His name” (Psalms 111:9). That sounded convincing; it even appeared to be biblical as long as you were using the KJV. However, as it turns out, the apostles could not have made that argument. The Psalmist’s word for “reverend” is used over 300 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Most often, it is translated as “fear” or “afraid.” The idea is that God’s name is awe-inspiring. Reverend is not a “title” for God any more than "holy" is a title (“holy and reverend is His name”). Holiness is an attribute of God, which He commands us to imitate: “Be holy, for I am holy” (I Peter 1:16).
His name is also reverend (worthy of great respect). Joshua 4:14 speaks approvingly of the fact that Israel “feared” (revered, stood in awe of) Moses and Joshua. Who can doubt that Christians should seek to be respectable people? Even the pagan Chaldeans are said to be reverent (fearful, terrible, awe-inspiring, Habakkuk 1:7).
The problem with using “Reverend” as a religious title, then, is not that the word is somehow reserved for God alone. Jesus demonstrated that the root issue lies in the very nature of religious titles. Like special religious garments (robes, collars, etc.), they serve to divide God’s people, setting certain ones above others and fostering a spirit of pride and competition. Rejecting the use of contemporary titles such as Rabbi, Father, and Teacher, Jesus told His disciples, “You are all brethren” (Matthew 23:8-10). It is not the words Rabbi, father, and teacher that are forbidden. The New Testament frequently employs these words. The point is, they are not to be turned into titles that would exalt certain people above others. Our highest honor is that we are brothers and sisters in Christ, children of the same Heavenly Father. May we always be content with that!
