"AskPastorWalter"

Every biblically accurate and theologically acceptable notion of "father-son" relationships in scripture and amongst God's people, including the concept of "spiritual children" enjoined with a minister in service - is PROPER when the son or daughter acknowledges the father and willingly submits (without compulsion or manipulation) to their leadership and authority. I.e. Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy; etc. This is not represented by the father aggressively seeking to recruit faithful followers, or to encourage the undying loyalty of every "sheep". In scripture, that kind of narrowness and carnality leads to the father's pervertedly trying to seek to destroy, hinder or compete with their spiritual children - and not generally out of love or obedience to God. Someone asked me - "Pastor, How do you "know" if someone is really your spiritual father, not just another instructor or hireling? Properly discern whether their aff...