Call No One Father: Argument Against Divinizing Jesus

 Call No One Father: Argument Against Divinizing Jesus

By Michael Haimes

Premise 1: Jesus said, “Call no one on earth your father, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.” (Matthew 23:9)

Premise 2: If Jesus claimed to be God, this statement would contradict his own divinity by redirecting worship to the Father alone.

Premise 3: Jesus frequently refers to himself as a messenger, son, or servant—not as God Himself.

Premise 4: The statement “Before Abraham was, I AM” can be understood as Jesus referring to the divine mission—not claiming divine identity.

Premise 5: True theology must respect the clarity and humility of Jesus’ own words—not retrofit dogma onto his teachings.

Conclusion:

Jesus did not claim to be God. He claimed to serve God. To divinize him is to ignore his clearest teaching: Call no one Father but God.