The Reverend Clergy

The Reverend Clergy

Most denominational preachers gladly accept the title "Reverend." It is printed on their cards, checks and credit cards. Would God have us thus address preachers?

Why are some ministers called Reverend? It is assumed:

That God has specially called them to be rulers of the church;

That they are specially holy and above sin;

That they are on a plane above average Christians;

That they have special prerogatives with God;

That the Bible God teaches us to do so. (The Bible no where teaches these thoughts, rather the opposite).

Some men assume and demand this designation for themselves to satisfy their vanity.

Others do so to convince themselves they really are God's servants.

Some prefer this title for the special treatment it brings in the social and business world.

Does the use of this title reflect the proper attitude? In our English Bible, the word reverend is found but once. Psalm 111:9 says, "Holy and reverend in his (God's) name." It is never used as a title for any man.

Christians are to "be subject to one another, and be clothed with humility for God resisteth the proud and giveth grace to the humble" (I Pet. 5:5). "We are to do nothing through...vainglory, we are to count others better than ourselves..." (Phil.2:3). We must not think more highly of ourselves than we ought to (Rom. 12:3). This includes preachers.

The apostles were not called reverend. We do read of sinful Diotrephes "who loved to have the pre-eminence among them" (III John. 9). In which group would the man who assumes such exalted titles best fit?

The Jewish "Clergy" were addressed: Rab, Rabbi and Rabboni ( the equivalent of Reverend, Right Reverend, and Very Right Reverend). Jesus said, They do their works to be seen of men. They wear special clerical clothing. They love the chief place at feasts and chief seats at church, salutations in the market place and to be called of men Rabbi (Reverend JHW). He said, "Be ye not called Rabbi (Reverend JHW)...all ye are brethren...whosoever shall exalt himself shall be humbled and whosoever shall humble himself shall be exalted" (Matt. 23:5-12).

We are to "speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11). In denoting men as Reverend we are not thus speaking. Whatsoever is not of faith is sin (Rom. 14:2). But faith comes from the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). God's word does not refer to men as reverend. Therefore, Christians do not assume or accept the title for themselves. Like Job, Christians who respect God's Word will not heap these vain and flattering titles on their fellow mortals (Job. 32:21-22).

Sincerely,

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