Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 11/26/2004

Question
I heard Bill Graham once say to a person interviewing him "please do not refer to me as Reverent" the word is used only once in the Bible (Psa.111:9) and refers only to God. No man should use that as a title.Please comment.  

Answer
Hello Ken,
Thank you for your question. The word used in Psalm 119 would in more modern English be translated 'revered'. The NIV takes once emphasis of the word and translates it as 'awesome'. It is here used as a descriptive word concerning God not as a title.
In any use of a word the context matters. The title 'Reverend' became used as a way for society to value highly the role of those appointed to lead in the Christian Church. As such I am not offended by it though personally I don't like it. Indeed I am not at ease with any titles when it comes to the church. I perform the function of a Minister or Pastor but actively discourage people calling me 'Pastor'. Pastor is what I do not what I am. I prefer to be known by my name.
However, as an ordained Minister in the Baptist Union of Great Britain, society gives me the title 'Reverend'. I confess that I use it on occasions when I have to send official letters to secular bodies to try get them to take my comments more seriously. I regard this as being 'as wise as serpents'(Matthew 10:16). Otherwise the title is only used by others of me, not by choice by me.
In short I wish the title was not used but it is and much as I would prefer it not to be there it is a title society as a whole is going to continue to use.
I hope my comments are helful in some way.
Stuart Woodward