Be Called D.D.??

IT IS A SIN TO CALL OR BE CALLED D.D.
by Ira Copeland, Hillsboro, TX

Jude, verses 3 and 4, said, Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul said, Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. I Thess. 5:21-22.

I now call attention to only one innovation that has taken deep root since the 16th century: the title of D.D. among our ministry.

It is a sin to call a man doctor in the sense of Divinity or for a man to suffer himself so called. Sin is transgression of God’s law and God’s law is any of His effective commandments. Jesus Christ is His Son clothed with equal authority. D.D., doctor, means teacher of authority, Rabbi, Master, Father, pope, etc. Jesus said, But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your Father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called Masters: for one is your Master, even Christ Matt. 23:8-10. This is as much the law of God as any other command of God, and therefore a sin to call or be called D.D. The title is Romish and Judaistic. Do not they who seek authority over men and brethren love the title? Matt 23:1-7. No school has Bible right to confer it.

This is not intended as a personal slap or reflection on any one, but gentle reproof and an earnest contention for this part of the faith once delivered to the saints, and to avoid modern innovations, and to get in and stay in the old paths.

From The Baptist Progress, March 5, 1936 as reprinted in The Baptist Waymark