The Fatherhood of God - Part 4

In his writing called "My Dad, God" John Gavazonni talks about the relationship he had with his own father, Luigi Gavazonni. (and again, all of John G's writings can be found on the Greater Emmanuel web site in the Serious Seminal Samplings section....say that tongue twister combination 10 times fast :)

The following excerpt is from that writing:

One thing stands out clearly to me when I compare my father's relationship with his children to the way our Heavenly Father is presented in conventional orthodox theology. It is simply this: Lou Gavazzoni's relationship with me was paternal, not legal. Whatever factors came into play, all was built on a familial, not a forensic foundation. There may at times have been a friendship element, associate-in-business element, fellow-musician element, boss-employee element, even lord-servant element and yes, the element of judgment came up as well. But, I never stood before one who was essentially a judge, who might, after legal matters were settled, then allow himself to be fatherly.

I stood before my father who might, as necessary, act in a firm, unyielding and corrective judgment as part of his love for me. Yet, it seems clear to me, that most of Christianity assumes that a relationship with God is only possible after legal matters are settled. Our minds are so entangled with what we perceive to be legal, judicial and forensic necessities that we miss the Father-heart of God.

For anyone who is not convinced at this point that God is indeed the Father of all humanity and that every one of his children will eventually be made into his image and likeness (no matter how farfetched that thought might seem) let me add the words of my friend annie:

if adam was the "son of God" and we are all descendants of adam, how can we not also all be children of God? and paul affirms what their own poets said... we are his offspring. i just don't know how it could be any clearer. if we're not God's children whose are we? not "the devil's" or anyone else, for the God alone has the ability to impart life. satan cannot create, nor can he procreate... he does not have life to give. the references to "children of the devil" are not literal, but figurative, speaking of the condition of their hearts - not their origin. it is in God that we ALL live and move and have our BEING, our substance. solomon also affirms in ecclesiastas that we came out from God and to God we will return. our life is hid with God in Christ... whether we know it or not... :) if i am an orphan who is lost, not knowing my true Father, i might THINK i'm a child of the devil, but it doesn't change who i really am...