Taking a look around

I relate to Harmony’s struggle with “Father” language, but in a different way. First, it is hard for me to abandon saying “Father” since it is used hundreds of times in Scripture. I don’t know exactly why, but it just is. Jesus himself spoke frequently of the Father. Certainly, I agree that God has no gender, but that does invalidate expressions like “Abba Father” etc found in scripture.

My main concern though comes as I think about the connotations of “father”. I know that many people singing songs about the “Father’s love” etc. often struggle, because of their own lack of a dad, or because of a critical or abusive relationship. I hesitate to use excessive “father metaphors” in teaching due to the images of hurt or pain that could arise. Nonetheless, “father” (even though God isn’t a man) is in the Biblical text, and I must find a way to communicate the intended greatness and comfort of that word.

In short, my concern is not that somebody will think “God is a male”, but that someone will be confused and hurt by “Father” images due to their own past.