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[[File:Schnorr von Carolsfeld Bibel in Bildern 1860 001.png|thumb|300px|An image of God the Father by [[Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld|Julius Schnorr]], 1860.]]
[[File:Schnorr von Carolsfeld Bibel in Bildern 1860 001.png|thumb|300px|An image of God the Father by [[Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld|Julius Schnorr]], 1860.]]


'''God the father''' is a [[gender|gendered]] title given to [[God]] in many [[monotheist|monotheistic]] religions, particularly [[patriarchy|patriarchal]], [[Abrahamic]] ones. In Judaism, God is called Father because he is the creator, law-giver, and protector.<ref>Gerald J. Blidstein, 2006 ''Honor thy father and mother: filial responsibility in Jewish law and ethics'' ISBN 0881258628 page 1</ref> In traditional Christianity, God is called Father because of the mystery of the Father-Son relationship revealed by [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] and because of the reasons mentioned above.<ref>Thomas Weinandy, ''Jesus the Christ'' OSV Press ISBN 1931709688 page 41</ref>
'''God the father''' is a [[gender|gendered]] title given to the fictional [[God]] in many [[monotheist|monotheistic]] religions, particularly [[patriarchy|patriarchal]], [[Abrahamic]] ones. Contrary to popular belief God does not exist! In Judaism, God is called Father because he is the creator, law-giver, and protector.<ref>Gerald J. Blidstein, 2006 ''Honor thy father and mother: filial responsibility in Jewish law and ethics'' ISBN 0881258628 page 1</ref> In traditional Christianity, God is called Father because of the mystery of the Father-Son relationship revealed by [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]] and because of the reasons mentioned above.<ref>Thomas Weinandy, ''Jesus the Christ'' OSV Press ISBN 1931709688 page 41</ref>


In general, the name ''Father'' signifies God's role as an [[authority]] and powerful [[protector]], often viewed as immense, [[omnipotent]], [[omniscient]], [[omnipresent]] with infinite power and [[charity (virtue)|charity]] that goes beyond human understanding.<ref>Lawrence Kimbrough, 2006 ''Contemplating God the Father'' B&H Publishing ISBN 0805440836 page 3</ref> For instance, after completing his monumental work ''[[Summa Theologica]]'', St. [[Thomas Aquinas]] concluded that he had not yet begun to understand God the Father.<ref>Thomas W. Petrisko, 2001 ''The Kingdom of Our Father'' St. Andrew's Press ISBN 1891903187 page 8</ref>
In general, the name ''Father'' signifies God's role as an [[authority]] and powerful [[protector]], often viewed as immense, [[omnipotent]], [[omniscient]], [[omnipresent]] with infinite power and [[charity (virtue)|charity]] that goes beyond human understanding.<ref>Lawrence Kimbrough, 2006 ''Contemplating God the Father'' B&H Publishing ISBN 0805440836 page 3</ref> For instance, after completing his monumental work ''[[Summa Theologica]]'', St. [[Thomas Aquinas]] concluded that he had not yet begun to understand God the Father.<ref>Thomas W. Petrisko, 2001 ''The Kingdom of Our Father'' St. Andrew's Press ISBN 1891903187 page 8</ref>

Revision as of 03:56, 13 March 2011

"Heavenly Father" redirects here. For the recurring theme in mythology, see sky father.
An image of God the Father by Julius Schnorr, 1860.

God the father is a gendered title given to the fictional God in many monotheistic religions, particularly patriarchal, Abrahamic ones. Contrary to popular belief God does not exist! In Judaism, God is called Father because he is the creator, law-giver, and protector.[1] In traditional Christianity, God is called Father because of the mystery of the Father-Son relationship revealed by Jesus Christ and because of the reasons mentioned above.[2]

In general, the name Father signifies God's role as an authority and powerful protector, often viewed as immense, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent with infinite power and charity that goes beyond human understanding.[3] For instance, after completing his monumental work Summa Theologica, St. Thomas Aquinas concluded that he had not yet begun to understand God the Father.[4]

Gender of God

Face of God from Creation of the Sun and Moon by Michelangelo
Main article: Gender of God

Masculine images for God

Masculine characteristics are often ascribed to God, in the Scriptures and traditions of many monotheists. God is also usually defined as being a spirit, and thus having no biological gender. For instance, the Catechism of the Catholic Church #239 specifically states that "God is neither man nor woman: he is God".[5][6] Yet, God is at times thought of as dominant, powerful, fatherly, passionate, whose ways are too high for his children to understand.[7] God is traditionally referred to by the masculine pronoun he (often capitalized; He).

Feminine images for God

Feminine imagery for God is also found in the Bible. God likened to a Mother. A woman in labor;Isa 42:14 a mother who does not forget the child she nurses;Isa 49:14–15 a mother who comforts her children;Isa 66:12–13 a mother who births and protects Israel;Isa 46:3–4 a mother who gave birth to the Israelites;Dt 32:18[8] a mother who calls, teaches, holds, heals and feeds her young;Hosea 11:1–4 Other maternal references: Ps 131:2; Job 38:8,29, Prov 8:22–25; 1 Peter 2:2–3.[9]

Monotheism

In modern monotheist religious traditions, such as Christianity, Judaism, Bahá'í, Krishnaism, Vaishnavism and the Brahma Kumaris religion, God is addressed as the father, in part because of his active interest in human affairs, in the way that a father would take an interest in his children who are dependent on him and as a father, he will respond to humanity, his children, acting in their best interests.[10] Many monotheists believe they can communicate with him through prayer, and improve their relationship with him.[11] At times, it is also expected that God may punish those who err like a father punishes his children, e.g. as stated in the New Testament: "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons." Heb. 12:8

Judaism

In Judaism, God is called "Father" with a unique sense of familiarity. In addition to the sense in which God is "Father" to all men because he created the world (and in that sense "fathered" the world), the same God is also uniquely the patriarchal law-giver to the chosen people. He maintains a special, covenantal father-child relationship with the people, giving them the Shabbat, stewardship of his oracles, and a unique heritage in the things of God, calling Israel "my son" because he delivered the descendants of Jacob out of slavery in EgyptHosea 11:1 according to his oath to their father, Abraham. To God, according to Judaism, is attributed the fatherly role of protector. He is called the Father of the poor, of the orphan and the widow, their guarantor of justice. He is also called the Father of the king, as the teacher and helper over the judge of Israel.[12]

Christianity

Main article: God in Christianity
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In Christianity, God is called "Father" in a more literal sense, besides being the creator and nurturer of creation, and the provider for his children.Heb 1:2–5 Gal 4:1–7 The Father is said to have an eternal relation to his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, which implies an exclusive and intimate familiarity: "No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."Mt. 11:27 In Christian theology, this is the revelation of a sense in which fatherhood is inherent to God's nature, an eternal relationship.cf. Jn 17 In the New Testament, God is called "Father" 245 times.

In the third century, Tertullian claimed that God exists as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—the three personae of one and the same substance.[13][page needed] [To trinitarian Christians (which include Catholic Christians, Eastern Orthodox Christians, and most but not all Protestant denominations), God the Father is not at all a separate god from the Son (of whom Jesus is the incarnation) and the Holy Spirit, the other Hypostases of the Christian Godhead.[13]

According to the Nicene Creed, the Son (Jesus Christ) is "eternally begotten of the Father", indicating that their divine Father-Son relationship is not tied to an event within time or human history. See Christology.

Christ praying to God the Father in Gethsemane, Heinrich Hofmann, 1890.

To Christians, God the Father's relationship with humanity is as a father to children. Thus, humans in general are sometimes called children of God. To Christians, God the Father's relationship with humanity is that of Creator and created beings, and in that respect he is the father of all. The New Testament says, in this sense, that the very idea of family, wherever it appears, derives its name from God the Father,Eph 3:15 and thus God himself is the model of the family.

However, there is a deeper sense in which Christians believe that they are made participants in the eternal relationship of Father and Son, through Jesus Christ. Christians call themselves adopted children of God:

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

— Galatians 4:4–7

The Gospel of Mark records that Jesus used the term Abba when praying to God the Father during his Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before his crucifixion, saying: "Abba, Father, all things are possible to you; remove this cup from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want."Mk 14:36 Here is the fervent appeal of a son to a beloved father, followed quickly by an assurance that, in any event, he would remain obedient.

In Eastern Orthodox theology, God the Father is the "arche" or "principium" (beginning), the "source" or "origin" of both the Son and the Holy Spirit (which gives intuitive emphasis to the threeness of persons); by comparison, Catholic theology explains the "origin" of all three Hypostases or Persons as being in the divine nature (which gives intuitive emphasis to the oneness of God's being) while still maintaining God the Father as the Source of both the Son and the Spirit.[13]

Islam

Unlike Christianity, Islam does not have a separation between Father, Son and Holy Spirit and generally views God as the unique and ineffable God of All.[14]

Hinduism

Hinduism is not one religion but many religions and generally views God not as the Father but instead Ishvara, a Supreme Controller or Supreme Being, although some say Brahma the Creator is father of all humanity. Therefore, human attributes, such as personality and fatherhood are the mind's projections.

Other religions

Brahma Kumaris

The predominantly Indian religion Brahma Kumaris teaches the existence of one God, Shiva, as the Father or "Baba" of all humanity. [15]

Polytheism

In many polytheistic religions, one or more gods is thought to be a leader and a father of other gods, or of humanity. The classical example from Indo-European mythology is Dyeus, with an epithet "father" e.g. in Roman religion as Iuppiter, and in Vedic religion, as Dyaus Pita. In Egyptian religion, jt-nṯr "god father" was an epithet of Thot.[citation needed]

God the Father in Western art

Main article: God the Father in Western art
Depiction of God the Father (detail) offering the right hand throne to Christ, Pieter de Grebber, 1654.

For about a thousand years, no attempt was made to portray God the Father in human form, because early Christians believed that the words of Exodus 33:20 "Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see Me and live" and of the Gospel of John 1:18: "No man hath seen God at any time" were meant to apply not only to the Father, but to all attempts at the depiction of the Father. Yet, western art eventually required some way to illustrate the presence of the Father, so through successive representations a set of artistic styles for the depiction of the Father in human form gradually emerged around the tenth century AD.[16]

By the twelfth century depictions of the "hand of God" had started to appear in French manuscripts and in stained glass church windows in England. In the 14th century the illustrated Naples Bible, one of the earliest printed Bibles carried a depiction of God the Father in the Burning bush. By the 15th century, the Rohan Book of Hours included depictions of God the Father in human form. The trend in depicting God the Father continued thereafter.

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to God the Father.

References

  1. ^ Gerald J. Blidstein, 2006 Honor thy father and mother: filial responsibility in Jewish law and ethics ISBN 0881258628 page 1
  2. ^ Thomas Weinandy, Jesus the Christ OSV Press ISBN 1931709688 page 41
  3. ^ Lawrence Kimbrough, 2006 Contemplating God the Father B&H Publishing ISBN 0805440836 page 3
  4. ^ Thomas W. Petrisko, 2001 The Kingdom of Our Father St. Andrew's Press ISBN 1891903187 page 8
  5. ^ David Bordwell, 2002, Catechism of the Catholic Church,Continuum International Publishing ISBN 9780860123248 page 84
  6. ^ Vatican website
  7. ^ Peck, Richard (May June), The Gender of God, retrieved 14 August 2009 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
  8. ^ The Jerusalem Bible translation ("fathered you") obscures the feminine action of the verb, more accurately rendered "gave you birth": JB: You forget the Rock who begot you, unmindful now of the God who fathered you. NRSV: You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you; you forgot the God who gave you birth. The Hebrew word in the first line can be translated as either "begot" (male activity) or "bore" (female activity); the context must provide the key. The word in the second line can only refer to female activity. Scholars have taken these two lines either as a male and a female image of God back-to-back, or they take both of them as female, due to the way this verse is located in the overall poetic structure of Deuteronomy 32.
  9. ^ Houts, Margo G. "Feminine Images for God: What Does the Bible Say?" Professor of Religion and Theology, Calvin University. Web: 14 Apr 2010. <http://clubs.calvin.edu/chimes/970418/o1041897.htm Feminine Images for God>
  10. ^ Diana L. Eck (2003) Encountering God: A Spiritual Journey from Bozeman to Banaras. p. 98
  11. ^ Floyd H. Barackman, 2002 Practical Christian Theology ISBN 0825423805 page 117
  12. ^ Marianne Meye Thompson The promise of the Father: Jesus and God in the New Testament ch.2 God as Father in the Old Testament and Second Temple Judaism p35 2000 "Christian theologians have often accentuated the distinctiveness of the portrait of God as Father in the New Testament on the basis of an alleged discontinuity"
  13. ^ a b c Critical Terms for Religious Studies. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1998. Credo Reference. 27 July 2009
  14. ^ Hans Köchler, 1982 The concept of monotheism in Islam and Christianity ISBN 3700303394 page 38
  15. ^ Babb, Lawrence A. (1987). Redemptive Encounters: Three Modern Styles in the Hindu Tradition (Comparative Studies in Religion and Society). Oxford University Press. ISBN 0706925637 Page 113
  16. ^ James Cornwell, 2009 Saints, Signs, and Symbols: The Symbolic Language of Christian Art ISBN 081922345X page 2

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