When I was an undergraduate at Oxford a distingished Austrian scholar joined our college and had a brass nameplate put on his study door which read something like this:

as he had three doctorates (he was pretty smart as you probably guessed) and had come to Oxford to get a fourth one...and more prestige back home. Apparently this is the 'done thing' in his homeland but he was not to know that we Brits view such self-advertisement and pomposity with some disdain. Accordingly whenever he was greeted, his British colleagues would address him, with a twinge of mockery, by his full title: "Good morning Professor Doctor Doctor Doctor Porius!" and chuckle as they walked by.

He got the message eventually and took down the brass plate. We Brits expect a little more humility (or did...I don't know how things are in the UK now).

That's the academic world, which is one thing, but when ministers do the same thing, it's something else. I not infrequently come across pastors and evangelists who just love to parade their 'qualifications', 'offices', wealth and imagined spirituality.

I came across one this morning, a young woman who called herself 'Pastor Dr. X' (no names, no pack drill). She not only posed in a very suggestive and questionable selfie for a professed Christian (which was itself a ref flag) but couldn't even spell so whether she actually was a doctor or bought a worthless 'qualification' from some paper mill I cannot say.

The problem is ministers aren't supposed to do this sort of thing because it is reflective of the sin called, in the New Testament, THE PRIDE OF LIFE:

"For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the PRIDE OF LIFE -- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of Elohim (God) abides forever" (1 John 2:16-17, NKJV).

In parts of Africa a minister not wearing an Amani suit or a Rolex watch is considered, well, not up to form, let's just say, even if the suits and watches are fake. And the Amani lable has to be showing, often on one sleave, a reason I suspect they are shown on the OUTSIDE for all to admire. It is common for false 'prosperity ministers' to dress up in this manner. It's their uniform, their 'badge' advertising their wealth and therefore supposed spirituality.

Westerners are no less guilty of this sin. These days ministers are expected to dress like in the latest fashionable rags with jeans ripped at the knees and a teashirt with plimsoles to look 'cool' and 'with it'. It's still the pride of life. Simplicity and neatness is the way Yahweh expects us to comport ourselves, not courting or drawing attention. Self is, after all, supposed to be dead in a true talmid (disciple).

Finally, ladies, Yahweh has established boundaries as far as gender rôles are concerned, not because one gender is better than or inferior to the other but because He has given different, if sometimes overlapping, callings to men and women. You shouldn't need a scripture lesson from me but the last time I read my Bible bishops/pastors/overseers/elders (and deacons for that matter) had to be the husbands of a wife. So unless you're a husband of a wife (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6), what are you doing calling yourself a 'pastor', let alone occupying that office? What this means is that pastors must be married men. Period.

I know such things are common in Christendom right now but then so are a lot of other non-biblical and even outright blasphemous practices. Of course, if you're NOT a Bible-believing and Bible-implementing Christian, that's another matter, but then you need to say, and write after your name and titles, 'I only believe in some of the Bible'. That would at least be honest.

Now women are indisputibly equal heirs of salvation along with men. I have met some incredibly brilliant women in my time, women I have deep respect for, whose writings I frequently consult. Yahweh loves us all equally in the sense that He values each of us as His children just the same. But He hasn't called us to do all the same things. I've had people suggest to me that I be called this or that title but I know better. I know my calling and I stick to it, no matter what acclaim is sent in my direction. I cringe when I am addressed with a title. We must all remain humble and not step beyond our heavenly mandates. Personally, I find what I know I have been called to scary enough because of the accountability and responsibility without being presumptuous and allowing someone to call me to something I know I am not called to because the Bible says I can't be.

Dr. Porius had legitimate qualifications from the University of Vienna. He was a brilliant man. His problem was a mixture of tradition and pride. Ministers who have worldly qualifications from universities and show them off might have a pride issue they need to address. But Dr. Porius stood on much firmer ground than ministers with bogus qualifications from paper mills (I've come across a LOT of those who want to be called 'Doctor') or no qualifications at all. Dr. Porius was also a bona fide Professor and stood on much safer ground than those who either appointed themselves with no calling from Yahweh or who occupy ministerial positions they are not entitled to or who are teaching heretical doctrines and practices. So be warned.

This is a serious time of levelling. We are going through it right now. I hope you've been taking it as seriously as I have been and not unilaterally 'appointing yourself to the best seats at marriage feasts', as it were, or seeking the praises of men, or trying to make yourself out to be what you're not. Humility goes a long way. Be content with being called 'brother' or 'sister' - there are no titles in heaven.

Peace in Messiah Yah'shua (Jesus)!

Further Reading

[1] The Pastoral Office: A Guide to Pastoral Leadership
[2] I, Rabbi: A Question of Respect and Titles