Our Earthly Father Projected Upon God?

[B-A-C]

Twice this year, I have heard a phrase in a sermon. I've actually heard it before a few years ago.
I wonder if it's true?

"We as Christians tend to view our heavenly Father much like we view our earthly Fathers".

Today is Father's Day by the way. I myself am a father.
Do my children view God, in some of the ways they view me? I shudder to think so.

If our fathers were strict and disciplinarian, do we view God that way?
If our fathers were gone, do we view God as aloof and far-off?
If our fathers were pre-occupied and passive, do we view God as non-caring and passive?
If our fathers were non-faithful to our mothers, do we God as "not always faithful"?

Now I'm certainly not saying we "should" do this. But even so... do we?

If our fathers loved us no matter what, do some of us view God this way?
I'm sure some of us had less than perfect fathers. But even this statement means different things to
different people.

Today in church we sang a song called "Good Good Father" (Chris Tomlin)
It's a good song, I like it. But after church I heard a couple of people talking about it.
I didn't really know these people, I don't know their fathers or how they were raised.

The discussion was about "good" versus "nice". Is a good Father always a nice Father?

A passage that comes to mind is...
Heb 12:7; It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
Heb 12:8; But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

If we think about it, is a Father that lets us do whatever we want... really a "good" Father?
If you're a mature Christian and you never view God in some of these ways, I congratulate you.
But if you're a newer Christian... my advice is... don't always try to see God as your earthly father is/was.
Even if your father is great/perfect guy, he still isn't exactly like God.

Anyway, for those of you who are mature Christians, this is more of a question than a statement.
Have you ever done this?

 

[Fragrant Grace]

We as Christians tend to view our heavenly Father much like we view our earthly Fathers".

Greetings @B-A-C

I dont think Ive ever thought this way....but rather considered our heavenly Father as being far above any likeness to an earthly father. I would say if anthing our Lord would be Father of fathers as in King of kings.
My earthly father was not a Christian so my views didnt intermingle

I have to admit to getting a little irritated if I hear prayers being said to 'daddy' as I feel it lacks reverance.
Please forgive me if I sound judgemental....not intended

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you
Ephesians 4:4-6

 

[B-A-C]

There are some verses in the Bible that support this thought of God as "daddy". (Abba)
Mark 14:36; Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6;

But I agree with you, many are too flippant with God. I don't know how every father handles every situation,
I suppose they are all different. But there are times in the Bible where it mentions the awe and majesty of God.
( Isaiah 6:1-5; ) especially verse 5.
( Rev 1:12-18; ) especially verse 17.
There are a few other passages similar to this. When we are living in the Spirit, perhaps God smiles upon
His children. But when we are living rebelliously is He still smiling at us?

Heb 10:31; It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

I wonder if some have gotten we they think "daddy" God doesn't care what they do.
It is said that girls get away with more than boys, because little girls can climb up in daddy's lap
flash the big eyes at daddy, and all is forgiven.

Do Christians try to pull the "daddy's little girl" routine on God? Does it always work?

 

[Fragrant Grace]

There are some verses in the Bible that support this thought of God as "daddy". (Abba)
Mark 14:36; Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6;

But I agree with you, many are too flippant with God. I don't know how every father handles every situation,
I suppose they are all different. But there are times in the Bible where it mentions the awe and majesty of God.
( Isaiah 6:1-5; ) especially verse 5.
( Rev 1:12-18; ) especially verse 17.
There are a few other passages similar to this. When we are living in the Spirit, perhaps God smiles upon
His children. But when we are living rebelliously is He still smiling at us?

Yes, I agree that those verses do support 'daddy' @B-A-C .
And it is so beautiful that we can say Abba Father.

As the perfect heavenly Father He looks at us in love and tendeness when we stray.....but never smiles at sin.

I guess the use of "daddy" Ive heard is almost brings God down to mans level.......in a loving but maybe 'daddys little girl way"

My memories of my dad are that he was distant, not outwardly loving and very stoic.
He would avoid dealing with his childrens misbehaviour.
I am thankful that our precious heavenly Father is loving, spiritually close and with us. He convicts us of the error of our ways and His word shows He doesnt wink at sin.

Praise the Lord!

 

[Bendito]

Yet our Earthly father is to be a demonstration of our Heavenly Father. If you could not trust your Earthly father it becomes very difficult to trust your Heavenly Father...Its not so much a matter of choice there. For example; If I were beat up instead of brought up. Lets say...terrified of my mother, a passive father who let me get torn apart by a rabid mother....How would I learn to trust a parent of either gender? What would I learn about parents? We operate on an 'operating system' that is programmed into us as children. If my learning was such that parents are to be feared and distrusted, how could I possibly trust my heavenly Father, even though my mind and my very spirit says he is infinitely trustworthy? My 'programming' would be always getting in the way.....So there we look at another command we have been given..."Work out your own deliverance with fear and trembling....We have GOD living in our spirits...Using His wisdom, His authority, we line up our minds and our bodies to the Spirit. With reverential respect for Him and His Word and not trustig our own intellect or spirit but His alone.

(was my example above real? I'm a writer...You decide. LOL)

 

[Hekuran]

'Abba' is not quite as familiar or childish as 'daddy' and not as formal as 'father'. Somewhere in between. The French say 'papa' - respectful and warm - and that is closer.