The Apostle's Creed

The Father Almighty

(Why is God called "Father")

God created all people equal, in that He loves all people equally. People have been sinful since Adam and Eve. To stop the abuse of women and children, some have attempted to "depower" men, and "empower" women. Because some men are "bad", some people take offense that God is referred to as masculine "Father" and say that God is also feminine "Mother". However, God has no sex; "feminizing" God, and "equality" for women has not and will not rid the world of abuse. Where women are given power, they have the same potential for their abuse of men. Abuse of women, children, or men is a sin problem and the sin goes on.

Some say the Bible was written in a culture that esteemed men as greater than women, and saw women as near worthless; therefore would throw out the belief in God the "Father" as bias. God being designated as "Father" was not cultural as much as it was lingual. In many languages, when the sex is indefinite or undefined, the thing or person is referred to in the masculine. Also, the masculine term has been used for respect; not because men are more respectable, just because one term was chosen. Later, in the New Testament, Jesus referred to God as Father because that is what God was: the Father of Jesus (Mary was Jesus' mother). We too can accurately refer to God as "Father", out of respect, knowing that God is not mere ‘man', but He is the Father of our Lord Jesus.

The Bible tells us God is Spirit (John 4:24). Most Christians believe God is the ultimate Personal Being, (Creator, Sustainer, Lover) not just ideas or morals. We believe God is "Father" to all, because He created and cares for all His creation. God as the source and sustainer of life, designates Him as our "Father".

Scripture
1. God, our Father: Matt.6:9-14, 26, 32-33, 10:29-31, John 4;23,
1Cor.8:6, 2 Cor.6:18, Gal.4:6-7,
2. God, Jesus' Father: Matt10:32-33, 11:27, John3:16-17, 2Cor.1:3
3. other verses: 1John 2:22-23