Our Father

devin553344

I believe in the Resurrection
Nov 10, 2015
3,607
2,249
Unkown
✟93,810.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Politics
US-Republican
We are supposed to refer to the first person of the Trinity as Father. Is that just a title of respect, or are their ways in which He is like a human father in His dealing with man?

Maybe it depends on the Father? If someones father is led by the Holy Spirit of God then yes perhaps Gods attributes might show from someones father.
 
Upvote 0

Tree of Life

Hide The Pain
Feb 15, 2013
8,824
6,243
✟48,077.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
We are supposed to refer to the first person of the Trinity as Father. Is that just a title of respect, or are their ways in which He is like a human father in His dealing with man?

Great question. I'm preaching on this very idea this weekend. Jesus says "no one comes to the Father except through me." I believe this goes beyond saying that no one comes to God except through Christ. More specifically, Christ is saying that no one can come to know God as Father except through him.

As I attempt to break it down, I believe Father contains at least two other ideas - unconditional love and discipline. Fathers' love for their children is unconditional. It does not depend on the behavior, character, or condition of their children. But Fathers also responsibly discipline their children to help them mature.

Through Christ we may know God as one who both loves us unconditionally and disciplines us and makes us like himself. No other religion knows God in this way.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
Jesus seemed to think so. He called Him His Father, and told us to address Him as such.
Okay. So just a title?
Genesis 32: 29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
 
Upvote 0

Chesterton

Whats So Funny bout Peace Love and Understanding
Supporter
May 24, 2008
23,749
20,197
Flatland
✟860,379.00
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
We are supposed to refer to the first person of the Trinity as Father. Is that just a title of respect, or are their ways in which He is like a human father in His dealing with man?
It's not just a title of respect. There are ways in which He is like a father, hence the metaphor.
 
Upvote 0

rockytopva

Love to pray! :)
Supporter
Mar 6, 2011
20,039
7,665
.
Visit site
✟1,056,468.00
Faith
Pentecostal
Marital Status
Single
I am confused. How am I hijacking this thread?
.
With some the question becomes, "How do they want me to answer their thread?" Anything but is considered a hijack.
 
Upvote 0

Hammster

Psalm 144:1
Christian Forums Staff
Site Advisor
Supporter
Apr 5, 2007
140,017
25,180
55
New Jerusalem
Visit site
✟1,718,907.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
.
With some the question becomes, "How do they want me to answer their thread?" Anything but is considered a hijack.
How about, since the title and OP are about the Father, we stick with that discussion.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Tree of Life

Hide The Pain
Feb 15, 2013
8,824
6,243
✟48,077.00
Country
United States
Faith
Reformed
Marital Status
Married
Getting a little more theological, is He universally the Father? Or just the Father to believers?

In the sense that we've been discussing he is only the Father of those who are in the Son.
 
Upvote 0

Gregory Thompson

Change is inevitable, feel free to spare some.
Supporter
Dec 20, 2009
28,362
7,742
Canada
✟721,286.00
Country
Canada
Faith
Christian Seeker
Marital Status
Married
Getting a little more theological, is He universally the Father? Or just the Father to believers?
Well, God did create the Universe.

However, when pagans speak of the "all father" it's not the Father of Jesus.
 
Upvote 0

Ttalkkugjil

Social Pastor
Mar 6, 2019
1,680
908
Suwon
✟34,572.00
Country
Korea, Republic Of
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
CA-Others
We are supposed to refer to the first person of the Trinity as Father. Is that just a title of respect, or are their ways in which He is like a human father in His dealing with man?

God is our Father, who will not refrain from doing us good. He is our eager and faithful Teacher, who imparts to us the knowledge, wisdom and guidance which we need for the proper way of living.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Maria Billingsley

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Oct 7, 2018
9,583
7,777
63
Martinez
✟894,354.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
We are supposed to refer to the first person of the Trinity as Father. Is that just a title of respect, or are their ways in which He is like a human father in His dealing with man?
The Father is God. You can take it from there.
Blessings
 
  • Agree
Reactions: devin553344
Upvote 0

Tone

"Whenever Thou humblest me, Thou makest me great."
Supporter
Dec 24, 2018
15,128
6,906
California
✟61,140.00
Country
United States
Faith
Messianic
Marital Status
Private
We are supposed to refer to the first person of the Trinity as Father. Is that just a title of respect, or are their ways in which He is like a human father in His dealing with man?

I call Him Abba Yahuah.

Because, of my adoption through Messiah!

12 והמקבלים אתו נתן עז למו להיות בנים לאלהים המאמינים בשמו

https://newchristianbiblestudy.org/...1-12/swedenborg_apocalypse-revealed-rogers_81

Do you think the angels call Him father?
 
Upvote 0

LovebirdsFlying

My husband drew this cartoon of me.
Christian Forums Staff
Red Team - Moderator
Supporter
Aug 13, 2007
28,727
4,216
59
Washington (the state)
✟832,886.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
I often compare God the Father to an earthly parent, with ourselves as small children by comparison. His ways are higher than our ways. What doesn't make sense to us, He understands completely. Children should obey their parents because they should trust that the parents know what's good for them. In the same way, we as God's children need to trust and obey Him even when we don't know why He wants it that way.

Then, just as children grow in understanding, and will one day see why the parent gave those instructions, as we grow in Christ we gradually begin to understand God's reasons too.

By analogy: Parent won't let Child have only cookies for supper. Wants Child to eat vegetables instead. Child doesn't understand this. "But I thought you loved me and wanted me to have good things. The cookies are good. Why do you want me to eat something yucky?" Child gradually grows to understand that the vegetables promote growth and health, which is the better "good," instead of just tasting pleasant. Similarly, we go through various troubles and struggles, and we don't understand why God lets those things happen. Why won't He fix it? But would He be doing us any favors if He just made everything easy all the time, and didn't let us grow and learn?
 
  • Like
Reactions: devin553344
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

LovebirdsFlying

My husband drew this cartoon of me.
Christian Forums Staff
Red Team - Moderator
Supporter
Aug 13, 2007
28,727
4,216
59
Washington (the state)
✟832,886.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
Upvote 0