The Father God
“Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, “I am ascending to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.”’”—John 20:17
God exists as Trinity (Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 3:13-17). The word “Trinity” never appears in Scripture, but finds its root in the writings of Tertullian (150-230 A.D.), one of the early church fathers. He used the term to describe the three Persons of the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He said that God was one in essence, but not in Person. One of the key Persons of the Godhead is God the Father. God reveals Himself as the “Father.” Jesus addressed Him as “Father” (John 17:1), and the concept of the family structure is rooted in His Person: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named”—Ephesians 3:14-15.
But is God “Father”? And how can that be when we know, according to Scripture, that God is “not a man” (Numbers 23:19), but is “spirit” (John 4:24)? The description of God as Father is a metaphor for His being, but it is also more. There is confusion today in certain Christian circles over the use of the term “Father” in reference to God. Some consider it to be an outmoded term that was used in patriarchal societies, and since God is not a man or male, nor does He have sexual parts, then we should use different terms for Him. After all, they say, He is not only “Father,” but is also portrayed as a loving and caring mother (Isaiah 49:14-16; Luke 13:34). But that is to overstate the issue. God is clearly portrayed as masculine throughout the Scriptures. He is not only the “Father,” but His “seed” remains in us—which, by the way, is the Greek word “sperma,” which literally means “that which is sown.” It denotes the seed supplied only by the male that is carried or born by the female.
We can also see that God the Father has “begotten” the Son (John 3:16), and that He is considered the “Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17). We who have trusted in Christ are considered to be adopted as sons and now able to call Him “Father,” denoting an intimate relationship reserved for those who are part of a specific family, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”—Romans 8:15; cf. Galatians 4:6.
Time and time again, God is referred to as “Father” within the New Testament. The term is used in blessings (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3), doxologies (Romans 15:6), thanksgivings (2 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3), prayers (Colossians 1:12), exhortations (Ephesians 5:20) and creeds (1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6). It is a metaphor, it is true, but it is also the chosen metaphor that Jesus used to describe Him. Those who struggle with using the term “Father” in reference to the first Person of the Trinity must ask themselves “Why?” Is it because of some abuse or neglect by some poor earthly father, which has colored the use of the term? God is Father and He is not like any earthly father. He loves us with the greatest love imaginable and will not fail or disappoint. He is worthy of our trust, love and obedience—the perfect Father, ready to receive all of those who come humbly in repentance and faith through the completed work of His Son. May we trust in Him, the greatest “Father” the world has known. Amen.
God exists as Trinity (Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 3:13-17). The word “Trinity” never appears in Scripture, but finds its root in the writings of Tertullian (150-230 A.D.), one of the early church fathers. He used the term to describe the three Persons of the Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He said that God was one in essence, but not in Person. One of the key Persons of the Godhead is God the Father. God reveals Himself as the “Father.” Jesus addressed Him as “Father” (John 17:1), and the concept of the family structure is rooted in His Person: “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named”—Ephesians 3:14-15.
But is God “Father”? And how can that be when we know, according to Scripture, that God is “not a man” (Numbers 23:19), but is “spirit” (John 4:24)? The description of God as Father is a metaphor for His being, but it is also more. There is confusion today in certain Christian circles over the use of the term “Father” in reference to God. Some consider it to be an outmoded term that was used in patriarchal societies, and since God is not a man or male, nor does He have sexual parts, then we should use different terms for Him. After all, they say, He is not only “Father,” but is also portrayed as a loving and caring mother (Isaiah 49:14-16; Luke 13:34). But that is to overstate the issue. God is clearly portrayed as masculine throughout the Scriptures. He is not only the “Father,” but His “seed” remains in us—which, by the way, is the Greek word “sperma,” which literally means “that which is sown.” It denotes the seed supplied only by the male that is carried or born by the female.
We can also see that God the Father has “begotten” the Son (John 3:16), and that He is considered the “Father of the heavenly lights” (James 1:17). We who have trusted in Christ are considered to be adopted as sons and now able to call Him “Father,” denoting an intimate relationship reserved for those who are part of a specific family, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’”—Romans 8:15; cf. Galatians 4:6.
Time and time again, God is referred to as “Father” within the New Testament. The term is used in blessings (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3), doxologies (Romans 15:6), thanksgivings (2 Corinthians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3), prayers (Colossians 1:12), exhortations (Ephesians 5:20) and creeds (1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 4:6). It is a metaphor, it is true, but it is also the chosen metaphor that Jesus used to describe Him. Those who struggle with using the term “Father” in reference to the first Person of the Trinity must ask themselves “Why?” Is it because of some abuse or neglect by some poor earthly father, which has colored the use of the term? God is Father and He is not like any earthly father. He loves us with the greatest love imaginable and will not fail or disappoint. He is worthy of our trust, love and obedience—the perfect Father, ready to receive all of those who come humbly in repentance and faith through the completed work of His Son. May we trust in Him, the greatest “Father” the world has known. Amen.
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