Religious Titles and Terms?

Richard Hollerman

In my line of work, I receive notices from around the world. Whether it be Uganda in Africa, or Brazil in South America, or Deli in India of Asia, or even in America, we find people using a title before (or after) their name. It may be Dr. John Lee, or Evangelist Tom Pierce, or Bishop Stan O’Leary, or Reverend William Jones. Or there may be Pastor Bill. But it all of this, it would seem that they still don’t understand! In other words, such terms as “Doctor” or “Evangelist” or “Bishop” or “Pastor” are not at all titles but descriptive of a work that certain New Testament personalities do.

We don’t want to belittle such people  but we refuse to agree with them. Some may say that this use of Biblical terms (and other terms) this is fine and to be commended! Others may stand aloof and merely say, “It is up to them” but “Brother Bill” or “Sister Jones” would not do this! Or we may think that this is permissible for another country or another culture. But we shy away from saying that this must not be done under any circumstance and that it is a non-Biblical way of using Biblical terms! Is this how you, personally, would think about this?

We do know that in some cases, people are so Biblically illiterate that they have no idea what is right and wrong, and they just assume that religious titles are permissible (and also non-religious titles are also fine). But are they? Is this something that God would condone and should we?

What are some of the reasons why we would oppose the use of these religious titles?

First, we know that Jesus would not use or approve of them. Even though we don’t find most of them condemned directly in Scripture, we see the gist of what is right and wrong and surely we want to the right.

Second, we know that the Bible has already used such words and for a different reason. Whether we speak of “bishop” (meaning overseer) or “shepherd” (usually “pastor today”), or preacher (generally this may go as “Evangelist” before a man’s name.

Third, God would not approve of this misuse of Biblical terminology. We are to “use Bible terms for Bible ways,” as someone has rightfully stated.

Fourth, we realize that the Scriptures have stated the meaning of these terms. We have expressed some of this above but we do have several articles on our website that deals with this matter.

Fifth, we realize that these terms are not really “titles” and must not be treated as such. They were simply used for works that men did and were not intended to be titles.

Sixth, we believe that people employ these titles for wrongful reasons. Sadly, we believe that often men use them to lift up themselves above their companions. They were used for these works and not for titles—and let us let them remain like this.

Seventh, we know that one of the most damning reasons why people use these titles would be the underlying reason of pride! They want to sound big. They want to look big. They want others to recognize them as big! God abhors pride and all of the expressions of pride. Let us also avoid this!

These are a few of the reasons why we would oppose the use of these Biblical terms in a very unbiblical way! Do you also see and understand? God does and we must also!