<br />First!!<br /><br />I think, Christ was not speaking about all fatherhood, otherwise one would also have to take it to mean that I cannot call my natural father 'my father' either. <br /><br />So Christ was talking about the hypocritical corrupt fatherhood that the scribes and pharisees were advocating. <br /><br />In addition some things Christ spoke to all people, others were explicitly for the apostles. So here He is telling the apostles that they are the only fathers in the faith, the rest of the believers are their children. We then call the bishops father as they are our living links with the apostles, having recieved through the laying of hands the same authority, priesthood and fatherhood.<br /><br />The Lord repose our beloved father Anba Shenouda. <br /><br />Prayers please.

Dear Stephen, <br />Thank you for your response, can you give an example from the Bible that spiritual fatherhood also exists on earth? <br /><br />Anyone?

Here is one example mentioned in the book:<br /><br />Saint Paul described himself as a spiritual father to those in Corinth and in other areas:<br /><br />(1 Cor 4:14-17) I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. {15} For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. {16} Therefore I urge you, imitate me. {17} For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

Thank you for the strong replies so far, from the above arguements how do you think we should interpret the Bible in a literal way, a spiritual way or a bit of both?