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There is nothing wrong in calling them spiritual fathers. Several places in the scriptures, Paul who wrote more than half of the new testament referred to Timothy as his spiritual son, and that made him his spiritual father

1 Timothy 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

2 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

In another place you will see where Paul actually referred to himself as a spiritual father:

1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

You cannot read the Bible like a novel ; you need spiritual understanding. That's why Bible says " get wisdom, get understanding "
What the Bible is against is turning them to Idols, but they are worthy of double honour. 1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
See also John the beloved here : 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

He referred to them as his children, and that made him their father

There is nothing wrong in calling them father's in the Lord.
Several times in the scriptures Paul who wrote more than half of the new testament referred to Timothy as his son , which made him his father in the Lord
1 Timothy 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

You cannot read the Bible like a novel you need spiritual understanding. That is why Bible says get wisdom , get understanding.
Now see where Paul referred to himself as Father:

1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

What Bible is against is to idolise a spiritual father or mentor.