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family studies: teaching

Today’s post is about different kinds of “teachers”.

When I think of what a teacher does, more commonly I would think about the scholastic-type (of teacher) who specializes in certain academic subject(s) and lesson topic(s).
But, is that a limited definition of a “teacher’s” work and function? Let’s explore that question by looking at some definitions and words.

I was thinking about the influence that a pastor (or a “preacher” has), over congregants of the faithful. Are they not teachers as well?

I was also thinking about the nature of an athletic coach. One example of that is a “Sensei” (teacher) of the martial arts. Another example, is an athletics coach.

A teacher not only teaches “method”, or “how-to”. A good teacher also imparts a philosophy surrounding the subject matter. Every thing that is taught, should have a context in which the information becomes more palpable; and, becomes more meaningful for theoretical and practical application alike.

Information that is dispensed, without respect for wisdom, can actually be misused in a culture. That is why some cultures have made extra effort not to impart knowledge to everyone. Since the beginning of time, knowledge can be so advanced and specialized that only a select worthy few should come to it and safeguard it from enemies.

Christian teachings are, in contrary, one such subject matter that should be imparted to all people. Some people are better at doing that than others are.

In today’s post, I’d like to give a short list of some of the kinds of teachers we know of; and, how they are unique from the others in that same list.

I referenced my own recollection of the meanings of these words, but, I also looked at ‘Merriam-Webster’ (since 1828) dictionary to make sure I would not make mistake.

1. Rabbi – most simply defined, means: “teacher”. Jesus Christ was, is, and will continue to be the “model” and superior “rabbi”, second person of God. A human “rabbi” (Jewish terminology) is a qualified leader and teacher.
2. Prophet – is one who possesses “divine” knowledge and reveals. Wisdom is often referred to as seen by way of a “third eye”. The divine nature of being able to foresee future, actively, also, uses this “third eye”. In some profound capacity, it is a perceptive gift which the greater prophets of all time possessed; and whom God imparted such knowledge to. Their ability to foretell, blessed them with information; information with which to guide others and to prepare for future events. While it can be understood that some of us have some measure of prophetic abilities, the Christian Bible possesses true-life prophesies, that are still being revealed thousands of years later.
3. Teacher – teacher. This title applies to someone who teaches any kind of technique, scholastic subject, art, and religion. Christ himself referred most humbly to Himself as a teacher, to the Gentiles and to the Jews.
4. Educator – teacher. An “educator” is one who belongs within a body of teaching organization. It is one who takes part in the organizational body (aka industry) of modern-day Western teaching. An educator is involved in the pursuit of imparting knowledge, at least at a baseline level with uniformity, and to a large swath of people or generation.
5. Professor – lecturer and teacher. “Professor” is the term given to the highest ranking academic teacher. Commonly, a professor has extensive scholarly background in the subject matter that he or she teach; and he typically belongs to an educational organization.
6. Fortune Teller – this is one who is not so much a teacher, as an endeavoring prophet. This type of “revealer” could have mystic association; is not someone who is teaching subject matter.
7. Priest – counselor and teacher. This type of teacher is highly qualified and is ordained within Church. While a priest teaches subject such as biblical history, morality, and philosophy… to the faithful, a priest is also a personal counselor. A priest is the also the only qualified person who can mediate between every-day persons, and God almighty, in sacred practices and worship. There are different names for priest, for each religion. And, there are different levels of qualification among each.

What are some of the differences between Rabbi and Priest? Well there are differences, however, both can be viewed as “mediators” between every-day, fallible persons; and our perfect, one and only, God.