Home » Discussion Area » Rant/Rave » Calling God, 'Daddy'...
| Calling God, 'Daddy'... [message #7060] |
Mon, 26 April 2010 20:06  |
 james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:9 that when we pray we're to address God as: "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name."
Yet I hear more and more people refering to Almighty God, Yahweh, The Creator of the universe; as 'Daddy', or 'Daddy God'. We know Jesus called Him "Abba" at least three times(Mk.14:36,Rom.8:15,Gal.4:6) and according to what some say, abba means daddy. Some say that it denotes an intimacy with God that He desires us to have, just as Jesus had with Him. Others believe it to be disrespectiful and irreverent.
To me it just seems disrespectiful and I cringe when I hear someone saying it, just like I do when someone(most times a woman) says they're 'in love with Jesus', or are in a love affair with Christ; it brings to mind the wrong picture of intimacy.(not to say that the person speaking this way means it in an impure manner, it just seems to sound carnal like the society we live in today)
Am I just old fashioned or do others feel this way? There are SO many scriptures telling us how God is to be reverenced and honored, loved and obeyed, worshiped with pure hearts and clean hands; yet we're also reminded that He is a consuming fire and we should have a godly fear and awe of Him.(Heb.12:28-29)
I understand the place of intimacy in our relationship with Him as Gal.4 explains and maybe it's just the lingual difference and the way we express ourselves today. I think I'll stick with addressing Him as my 'Father'.
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Calling God, 'Daddy'... [message #7066 is a reply to message #7063] |
Wed, 28 April 2010 04:29  |
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GWB
Messages: 708
Registered: March 2008
Location: Louisville, Ky area |
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I can understand how the word intimacy could pertain to being unclean in our society.
Websters defines intimate as a state of confidency, innermost, privacy.
I am an older woman who was a "Daddy's girl." Because of that relationship with my earthly father, I can relate to my Father in heaven on an "intimate" level.
Both Father's were/are faithful to love, provide, and protect me in all areas of my life. There is nothing unclean about that.
I think men, and women, are very different emotionally as to how they connect in relationships.
The bottom line is this: Whatever it takes...connect with the King of Kings, Jesus, Father, or even Abba; Daddy. I truely believe He understands a pure heart reaching out to Him in all situations and levels we find ourselves in in this world.
Shalom,
GWB
"Be still and know that I am God."
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| Re: Calling God, 'Daddy'... [message #7068 is a reply to message #7067] |
Wed, 28 April 2010 16:41 |
james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
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Well.......I wasn't going to say anything, but it did make me wonder if you did. 
I do know that men and women are usually very different in their emotional reactions and the way they relate to others. 
But HEY! I'm just glad somebody took the time to respond...
Just to let you know I understand, I'm gonna pretend that I was a 'Momma's boy' growing up (not),and that I'm a Catholic (not)...
so to follow that logic I'd pray to Mary calling her...Momma? NO?
Yep, different wiring...
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Calling God, 'Daddy'... [message #7069 is a reply to message #7068] |
Wed, 28 April 2010 18:49 |
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william
Messages: 1464
Registered: January 2006 |
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On Wed, 28 Apr 2010, James wrote:
>
>
> But HEY! I'm just glad somebody took the time to respond...
>
>
Hey James,
I just wanted to let you know that I've been meaning to respond to this
but I'm not finding time to give it as much attention as it needs.
If you'll pardon a quick response here are my thoughts in a nutshell:
Firstly, I don't call Him daddy, presumably for the same reasons you
don't.
However, and I guess I'm just not as sensitive to the issue as you and
Mark, it just doesn't bother me at all when others call Him daddy. Like
Gillyann said, some people have nothing but pleasant thoughts about their
earthly father, and to those people it seems perfectly natural to call Him
daddy. Would you have the same cringing thoughts if they called Him "our
heavenly daddy"? What about "baby Jesus" when referring to our Lord?
(Most often heard around christmas time!) "Brother Jesus" is another
phrase that comes to mind. All of these phrases have Biblical support and
while they might be lacking with respect to the Holy character that we
have come to know, it certainly does express certain other aspects of His
nature (I'll call it the familial character of His lovingkindness, and not
use the terms "intimate relationship" to describe it.<grin>)
Paul in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6 uses the term "Abba" as he describes
the familial character of our union with the Father. Apparently this
term, taken from the Chaldee language, is used to express the familial
character of our union even better than Father. The term is only used
three times in the NT and each time it has the term "Father" immediately
following, which suggests to me that in some cases "Father" didn't
completely convey what the writer wanted to convey. Why else would "Abba"
be also used?
I guess what I'm saying is that it seems legalistic on our part to demand
that others use only the phrase "our Father" when referring to another's
preferred method of addressing God.
The only approximate analogy that comes to mind that concerns our being
zealous for God's Holiness (which is, I presume, the reason for raising
this issue in the first place) is the account in Numbers 25:5:
Num 25:5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his
men that were joined unto Baalpeor.
Num 25:6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto
his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight
of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before
the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
Num 25:7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the
priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin
in his hand;
Num 25:8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust
both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly.
So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.
Num 25:9 And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.
Num 25:10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 25:11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath
turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for
my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my
jealousy.
Num 25:12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace:
Num 25:13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant
of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made
an atonement for the children of Israel.
I say that this is only an approximate analogy, since the particulars are
very different from someone who calls God, "Daddy", but at least it does
show God's concern about His holiness and the holiness of His people even
though it lacks any close ties to this discussion. (At least I don't
think you have used a javelin on anyone who has transgressed by calling
Him daddy! <grin>) Also Moses actually gave the command to slay those who
had joined up with Baalpeor, which makes the account even more removed
from being useful regarding this discussion.
Blessings,
William
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| Re: Calling God, 'Daddy'... [message #7070 is a reply to message #7069] |
Wed, 28 April 2010 20:42 |
james
Messages: 2142
Registered: April 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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<grin> I guess I should have said,'someone to respond besides William'...I can always count on you to respond, even when we don't agree on every jot and tittle, thanks.
Just to clarify<or justify> I don't demand everyone address God in any, I just was seeing if it rubbed others the wrong way with names like 'daddy' like it did me. But I gotta tell ya, I had my whetstone out to put an edge on my javelin, GWB was in serious trouble there for a moment. 
I didn't go into all the names that irk me, like 'baby Jesus' and being 'in love w/Jesus' because I'm perceived as legalistic enough like it is by some, and as you well know, image is everything in life.(according to a camera comerical)
It's God that judges mens hearts anyway, but He does 'demand' the respect and honor due Him, and just as when I hear His name taken in vain through cursing causes me to cringe, when I hear or read of Him refered to as 'Daddy', I cringe in my spirit...It's disrespectiful,imo.
Now, what'da think about those demon filled Christians? <grin>
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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| Re: Calling God, 'Daddy'... [message #7071 is a reply to message #7060] |
Thu, 29 April 2010 02:27 |
sparkles
Messages: 246
Registered: March 2008 |
Senior Member |
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Hi James,
I would have to agree with you on calling our Heavenly Father "Daddy," To me it also just seems disrespectiful. I remember Bob Jones(not of the college, but the one associated with Mike Bickle and Paul Cain) calling Him daddy all the time.
Daddy told me this, Daddy said that, Daddy, Daddy Daddy. It just seems so irreverent to call God daddy. Kind of reminds me of the breakdown of respect for elders that young people have. Back when we were kids we called people our parents age Mr and Mrs or Miss, not now. Kids today call adults by their first names. Teachers aren't called Mr or Mrs Smith, but rather
Mrs. Ann, or Mr. Bob. The respect for the elderly is horrible. I suppose that is one reason I disagree with people calling God "daddy," just seems like a breakdown of respect that we should have for those in places of authority.
Now if someone else calls God daddy I don't get all upset, but I won't agree with it.
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| Re: Calling God, 'Daddy'... [message #7073 is a reply to message #7067] |
Sat, 01 May 2010 01:55 |
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GWB
Messages: 708
Registered: March 2008
Location: Louisville, Ky area |
Senior Member |
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James:
"Just to clarify<or justify> I don't demand everyone address God in any, I just was seeing if it rubbed others the wrong way with names like 'daddy' like it did me. But I gotta tell ya, I had my whetstone out to put an edge on my javelin, GWB was in serious trouble there for a moment."
....Uhmmmm....P.S.S. 
In light of all of the comments, my relating to my Father in heaven is only one side of my relationship with Him.
I also worship Him as a Mighty Deliverer; the God of the whole universe. Every atom that moves is ordered by Him for delieverance, protection, and correction. His correction has a very long arm and it very thorough. I have learned to expect it when I blow it for what was once a minute blurb of the mouth. I know that this is what it takes to be a part of His army that He is lining up. I am a part of it in Jesus name.
I have a reverential (I hope that is a word!) fear of Him, knowing I will have to be accountable to Him very, very soon. Satan is running scarred these days, knowing time is short. He is trying everything to devour the Manchild. Deception and sin are seperating those who choose not to pay the full cost. Overcomers will pay the full cost of this world and themselves. The pure army knows that Satan is a worthy opponent, nevertheless, he is under our feet. Demons tremble at the name of Jesus.
I stand in awe of His glory as He is rapidly tieing up the loose ends on this old earth and how He has ordered the hearts and minds of every leader and country since before His first earthly king; King Saul. (We know they made their choices from their free will....that is another thread!)
My mind can't grasp His majesty, mercy, and patience. I will cast any crown I might receive at His feet and always be thankful for the eternal gift...and it is a gift...of salvation as I see most of the world turning to the occult and a watered down, powerless church for answers. It is getting very, very dark out there.
He is all of this, and so much more. Jesus was God in the flesh and towed the line perfectly for us knowing that we could not do it without Him. He was/is Holy, pure and clean.
James:
" I didn't go into all the names that irk me, like 'baby Jesus' and being 'in love w/Jesus' because I'm perceived as legalistic enough like it is by some, and as you well know, image is everything in life.(according to a camera comerical)."
I am hearing Him mocked as "tiny, baby Jesus" or "sweet, tiny, precious, baby Jesus," ect.
The God of holy, rightous judgement is rising up and getting ready to address creation concerning all of these issues. They will then only hope to see a "tiny baby." He will be manifested as the "King of Kings." They will have to bow to Him, whether they like it or not...while they are trembling and recalling their mockery.
I loved my earthly father, but he was just a man. He could hardly be any of these things I have expressed.
Now, can I please relate to Him as "Daddy/Abba" once and awhile?
OK....back to demon filled Christians.
[Updated on: Tue, 15 June 2010 17:55]
Shalom,
GWB
"Be still and know that I am God."
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| Re: Calling God, 'Daddy'... [message #7448 is a reply to message #7060] |
Tue, 02 November 2010 19:59 |
jewelsboye
Messages: 10
Registered: September 2008 |
Junior Member |
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This post interested me for some reason...
I don't personally call the Lord God daddy. I feel that there is something rather irreverent about it. Sometimes I think that we forget just who He is. He is our Lord, the Creator of the universe. While He is our Father and we call Him Father, I think we lose some of the reverence we ought to have for Him when we call Him daddy.
This is coming from a female perspective, so here is one reason why I feel this way:
As a girl, and I am sure many girls feel this way, you will always love your daddy. He is there for you and when you were little you could crawl up on his lap and he would comfort you, hold you, love you, etc. Your daddy will always be your daddy, but you grow up. Your dad is someone that teaches you to learn to survive on your own and make it in this world. He guides you and will always be there for support and love, but at some point in our lives, we stop depending on our dads the way we once did. This is what a daddy does. He raises his child so they can eventually learn to spread their wings and fly.
The Lord does not do this with us. I do not hope to learn all that I can from Him so one day I can go out on my own. We are called to worship Him in spirit and in truth, to keep our eyes on Him, to love Him, praise Him, and I could go on and on. This is not to say that He is not our Father and that we should not call Him so, but I think that calling Him daddy almost limits Him or puts Him into a box and lessens who He is.
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| Re: Calling God, 'Daddy'... [message #7451 is a reply to message #7448] |
Wed, 03 November 2010 00:32 |
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GWB
Messages: 708
Registered: March 2008
Location: Louisville, Ky area |
Senior Member |
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Thanks for your response. I respect your opinion and I can see your point.
Again, I think there is a difference between how you relate to someone and how you address them. I have never verbally called my heavenly Father daddy. This is a heart issue for me.
Just to make it more clear from my perspective, I certainly was not treated like a child by my father when I became an adult. He was always supportive and there for me. That was my main point. I could have been on very shaky ground with my earthly father, and I still called him dad or daddy when addressing him. Not one of his five children, male and female, ever addressed him as father, regardless of the situation until the day he died.
I would be interested in the Hebrew translation of Abba and its meaning. I have always thought it was daddy.
Thanks for the input.
Shalom,
GWB
"Be still and know that I am God."
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