In the previous article, we considered God's distinctiveness from humanity. It was suggested that it is a common, but also crippling, error to evaluate God and his actions according to human expectations and limitations. Well in the next few articles, we will be examining an area of Christian belief in which we must be mindful of this error. We'll be exploring the nature of God as Trinity, and how each person of the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit, fit into that.
In the first few articles in this series, we will briefly examine what the Bible says about each individual person of the Trinity and then finally we will examine the doctrine of the Trinity as a whole. It's important to remember that this is by no means a comprehensive study.
Generally speaking, the Father is often how we think of or picture 'God'. (It is interesting to note that the New Testament writers often use the word "God" in reference to the Father, e.g., 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6). He is the one who creates (1 Cor. 8:6) and elects (Eph. 1:1-6; 1 Pet. 1:2). He is the one who foreknows all things and whose will is followed. It is to his authority and direction that the others submit and rejoice (Lk. 10:21, 22:42; Jn. 6:39-40, 12:49-50). It is his glory that is served (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:9-11), and he is the general target for our prayers (Matt. 6:9, 26:39-42; Col. 1:3) and worship (Jn. 4:16-26; Rom. 15:6). The Father is often depicted as the one who loves us (Jn. 3:16; 2 Thess. 2:16). He is also the one who forgives (Mk. 11:25; Lk. 23:34) as well as the one who judges, though this is delegated to the Son (Jn. 5:22). In the Bible's language, it is the Father who sends both the Son and the Holy Spirit (Jn. 8:26-29, 42, 14:26; Gal. 4:4-6). He is the Sovereign Lord. All things are within and under his power.
This brief and simple survey of what the Bible says about the Father shows what he does, and therefore in turn, something of who he is. When these actions are considered, we see that in large part they speak of the Father's sovereignty, the freedom of his will, and the love and grace with which he chooses to exercise it.
When we consider the Father in these terms, it seems that our view of God as a whole is significantly informed, perhaps even dominated, by our view of what the Bible attributes to the Father. This is not necessarily problematic. There is something right about seeing the Father in defining terms (Jn. 8:54). We must however recognise that there remains to be some nuance and distinction between what we might direct specifically towards the Father, and how we think of the triune God.
As we consider the unique person that is the Father though, the biblical testimony about him seems to be one of grandeur. Certainly this is not to diminish the greatness of either the Son or the Spirit, only to say that the Father seems to take this place: the one to whom all glory and praise is pointed.
Jesus himself affirms this as he foreshadows his impending crucifixion in John 12:28 and reiterates it again in his prayers before his arrest in John 17. And it is from this perspective of Jesus' relationship with the Father that our understanding of the Father, in all his glory, ought to produce in us a sense of encouragement. To Jesus, the Father is not just 'the' Father, but rather 'his' Father. This is no mere symbolism, but an analogy that reflects the true nature of their relationship. It is one of intimacy. And as we are brought into God's kingdom, like Jesus, we too call on the Father as our own. We too call on the Father with a profound intimacy, and this despite the distance that our sinfulness ought to produce.
In our lives, whether we find ourselves in times of joy and peace or whether we are in times of hardships and suffering, the picture of the Father is a comforting one. It is of the great one who receives glory and praise, and yet in love chooses to graciously enter into a relationship of intimacy with us.
Perhaps it is in this vein that the Old Testament writers thought of God as they described him in summary, "The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love." Today, as we consider the Father, think and pray to him in these terms. Consider him as Jesus does as he directs his disciples in prayer: Our Father who is in heaven, whose name is great, whose kingdom will come and whose will is done in heaven and earth. Who provides our needs, forgives us for our sins and enables us and protects us from sin and evil.
When considered in isolation, it may appear that the Father is tangibly and substantially superior to the Son and the Spirit, but this is not the case. Stay tuned as we consider the Son in our next article, the Spirit in the one after that, and finally the Trinity as a whole to finish!