I'm saddened by some of the replies made on this thread. There doesn't seem to be any real interaction with the man's article in terms of refutation but rather a leap to abusive ad hominems linking it to "fanatic Anabaptists and their anti-institutionalism"...wow. I guess I expected more. With what the bible says in Matt 23 and Mark 10 about titles and how the followers of Christ would relate and the absence of the use of titles in the overall conversation we find in the narrative of the New Testament I'm amazed that someone can defend their use. I'm thankful you guys don't approach the RPW with the "If it is not forbidden we can do it" mentality, although, I believe Christ does forbid it in Matt. 23. I am an elder in a Reformed denomination and believe that the offices of elders and deacons is biblical. To suggest that I am against those offices because I eschew titles related to those offices is not thinking straight and is somewhat offensive. The article is NOT against offices at all. To come to that conclusion is absurd. I see assertions being made based on personal preference but I want to see the same solid exegesis that you guys apply to other topics applied to this one as well and not resort to a hermeneutical ventriloquism.
I do not mean to offend anyone who uses those titles, I just want to see some solid Berean answers from the Scriptures.
And BTW, I call people by their names. I don't feel the need to call them brother so and so, or sister so and so. I simply call them their name. When I introduce our pastor, I would say: This is "John Smith", he's our pastor, or, I'm Jim Snyder, one of the elders here. Anyways....
