First, it is not my object lesson. It is God and God in Christ who uses this term "father." He used that term for the simple reason that it would communicate. He could have used "pieodhiret" but it would have meant nothing to us, because we have nothing to compare "peiodhiret" to.
Secondly, God begin called "father" happens in only two sceiptures in the Old Testament -- at least that is all I can find. In the new Testament, "father God" is a concept that used many times. The emphasis on the fatherhood of God is clearly an increased emphasis in NT times and writings ... that is what I am saying.
My intention in referring to God as the perfect father is not to bring Him down to our level, but to exalt Him. I actually know no perfect Fathers save the Almighty. "Father" is not just an object lesson, but such is certainly included. To deny that we must view God and the statements concerning Him through the prism of "fatherhood" is to deny the obvious, IMO. There is no purpose in such a denial -- not from a Christian point of view.
JD
-----Original Message-----
From: Judy Taylor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]
Sent: Mon, 16 May 2005 04:55:38 -0400
Subject: Re: [Bulk] [TruthTalk] Street Preaching
I don't think so JD; under the Old Covenant God called Israel as a nation His son and they sure suffered (leaving an
example for us not to follow); behold the goodness and the severity of God.
Your object lesson is limited JD because earthly fathers don't have the same problems with divine justice and/or holiness and their offspring are born in their image. But because of His love God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked but it has and will continue to happen and ppl need to be warned. God is no heavenly replica of an earthly father. jt
On Mon, 16 May 2005 02:31:47 -0400 [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
The biblical idea that God is our Father is a New Covenant consideration. Whatever old testament scripture one can quote concerning God, it must now be seen as a statement concerning the Father. It is the wrath of a father that is encountered in the new covenant age. In Christ, this father shed His blood for us -- while we were still sinners (and sinning). He does not leave that emotion behind when His emotion is one of anger or disappointment -------- no more than a father stops loving his children when they miss up their lives. In fact, some fathers love their children more in that circumstance. Grace and mercy are all the more present. JdJD merely believes God is love and that He loves sinners while you believe He is angry with sinners 24/7Can you please read me Psalm 7:11 and tell me what that verse is saying?
