Why Is the Name of God as Father Used So Infrequently?

Rev. B. Labee, Veenendaal, the Netherlands

(De Saambinder has a rubric consisting of questions sent in by readers. Rev. Labee then provides weekly answers to the questions that he receives. Following is his response to the question posed as the title of this article.)

Superficial usage

Perhaps it is necessary that first, judging by the handwriting of this older questioner, we point to the superficial use of the name of the Father. How easily we speak of God as Father without the realization that we have deserted the house of the Father. In our covenant-head Adam we have left the house of the Father and broken the communion with God with the firm resolve never to return. If by the light of God’s Spirit we may experience something of that, then we can understand the reluctance to address God as Father. In connection with this, we will also mention the text from Malachi 16b: “If then I be a Father, where is Mine honour?”

Sustained usage

The questioner is correct when he states that our forefathers used the name Father much more frequently. He who reads the Three Forms of Unity (The Heidelberg Catechism, The Canons of Dort, and The Belgic Confession) and the other confessions of faith (the Apostles! Nicene, and Athanasian Creeds) will be impressed with the many instances that the name Father is taken upon the lips. Also, what should we think of the fourteen Christian prayers which can be found in the back of The Psalter? There is not one prayer where the name of God as Father is omitted. The same is true of the liturgical forms used for Holy Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, etc. In all that we have received from our forefathers we hear the sustained or continuous usage of the name Father.

A granted usage

In summarizing, we can postulate that we believe the true fear of God and the poured-out love of God which is in Christ Jesus drive a person to the use of that great and glorious name Father. That tender name may be spoken in all timidity only as a granted usage as the Holy Scriptures teach us.

May we point you to two places in Scripture? In the first place, we would cite Matthew 6:9a. The disciples had only recently been brought to the feet of the Lord Jesus. In chapters 5 and 6 they received instruction, also regarding prayer, from the highest Prophet and Teacher. Then the Savior taught these beginners in grace the words which they must pray: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven.” Secondly, we would point to the rich grace of which we read in Romans 8:15, “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”

We would like to direct you to the marginal notes (48 and 49 in the Dutch Staten Bible) which point to the fact that the Holy Spirit moves and gives freedom to assailed children of Adam to speak in this manner. That same Spirit will testify with their spirit that they are children of God. May the Lord grant that these matters be learned through grace. We will close with the final words of marginal note 49: “Although this testimony is not always equally active in the believer, yet it often reveals itself in this manner in his greatest abasement and distress. The secret of being a child of God lies in Christ’s mediatorial work as the Ladder of Jacob applied by the Holy Spirit.”

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen