In 1 Corinthians 4:15 Paul says, "For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel." (NASB)
However, in Matthew 23:9 Jesus says, "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." (NASB)
I am capable of understanding the "fathers of Christianity" point of view that the Apostles are the original Christians, (Acts 11:26) but Paul goes on to say in the passage in 1 Corinthians, "Therefore I urge you to imitate me."
I'm personally at a bit of an impasse; I believe the Word of God is true (Psalm 119:160), just (Psalm 33:4), and pierces hearts (Hebrews 4:12) however, I cannot deny that I have some questions about these two verses that seem to contradict one another. I am not making the insinuation that I cannot tell the difference between the literal and metaphorical, but — for example, Jews do not audibly pronounce YHWH, people say G-d, or Adonai in place of the "Big Name Drop" — but it's considered acceptable to insinuate to the Corinthians that he is a spiritual father, to be imitated? However, to counterpoint myself, he does say in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ."
However, in Matthew 23:9 Jesus says, "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." (NASB)
I am capable of understanding the "fathers of Christianity" point of view that the Apostles are the original Christians, (Acts 11:26) but Paul goes on to say in the passage in 1 Corinthians, "Therefore I urge you to imitate me."
I'm personally at a bit of an impasse; I believe the Word of God is true (Psalm 119:160), just (Psalm 33:4), and pierces hearts (Hebrews 4:12) however, I cannot deny that I have some questions about these two verses that seem to contradict one another. I am not making the insinuation that I cannot tell the difference between the literal and metaphorical, but — for example, Jews do not audibly pronounce YHWH, people say G-d, or Adonai in place of the "Big Name Drop" — but it's considered acceptable to insinuate to the Corinthians that he is a spiritual father, to be imitated? However, to counterpoint myself, he does say in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ."