Day 3, Friday, Book of Faith – Lenten Journey
“What is intended by the analogy of the father-child relationship? It is the recognition of the plain fact that we did not put ourselves on earth but that we find ourselves here as a result of someone else’s will and action. This relationship cannot be altered or terminated. Even an explicit abrogation of the relationship by the created being cannot change the facts of life.”
I am, therefore God is my father; always was and always will be. Always. And that what God did cannot be reversed is particularly powerful. We do not have the power to reverse this relationship, just as we cannot undo the DNA within us which connects us with our earthly parents.
A long time ago I preached a sermon using feminine imagery for God. I had only one person take me to task over it saying that she just could not accept the thought of God as mother, even if that imagery is Biblical. I have been very concerned about the use of patriarchal language throughout my ordained ministry, how it can be used as an excuse for male dominance. I try to be careful when I preach, teach, or write, that I refrain as much as possible from using male pronouns for God. And yet, one cannot get around the use of “father” in this prayer. I don’t think using the word “parent” is appropriate. Jesus wants us to use language that implies intimacy and familiarity, and “parent” cannot do that in the same way “father” or “mother” can. So, what do you think? How comfortable are you with the traditional male imagery for God, and why is that?
To me personally, God will always be “Father”. I attribute the mother role to Mary, mother of Jesus, though I suppose that is a throwback to my Catholic days. To me Father is provider, even though as a single parent I had both roles oft times, I see God in a far more traditional fashion. Jesus is HIS son…that indicates Father. Jesus WAS a man. That is how I see God – as a man. My mind cannot imagine it any other way…….. which brings me to the book THE SHACK. To this day I have not finished it although I’ve had it for many months now. I’m quite comfortable ( perhaps TOO comfortable..) with the male image of God/Jesus.
I’ve yet to finish the book “The Shack” but in that book God is a woman. I had a really hard wrapping my mind around that image, probably because for me God has always been a man; in reading, pictures, and movies, he’s always a man. I’ve grown accustomed to that imagery. It simply doesn’t bother me.
In the past few years, when I’ve had the time I’ve read books written by Beverly Lewis. These books are about the Amish and I love the way prayers written in her books address God, “Lord God, Heavenly Father.” I use that terminology often in my daily prayer life. I think that about says it all.
One of the questions asked was are the words “Our Father” words of law or words of gospel. For me they’re both. I feel that way especially about that part of the prayer that talks about trespasses. “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” For years I’ve asked myself how God could forgive me if I couldn’t forgive someone of something they had done to me. I prayed and prayed and I think I’ve finally forgiven. It wasn’t easy, and it makes me wonder how God can do it so readily.