Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/88

Contributor - Arie Blok

Title - What Kind of a Father Are You?

Topic - Father's Day Father's Day is a much later observance than Mother's Day. Mother's Day began in the United States as an observance honouring mothers whose sons had died in the American Civil War. It later became an observance honouring all mothers. The observance of Father's Day began much later when it became obvious that honouring mothers but not honouring fathers was a bit one-sided.

Mother's Day has become a day that the ministers dare not ignore. Realistically, honour is due to mothers. Yet, from a Christian point of view, there is really a firmer basis for emphasizing Father's Day. The Bible does say that God is like a mother. Isaiah 66:13: "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort thee." (KJV) The Bible emphasizes in both the Old and New Testaments that God is a father, Deuteronomy 14:1: "Ye are the children of the LORD your God:"; John 20:17: "I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God and your God."

The human father is, in a very special way, the bearer of God's image. Children who had fathers who were very weak in their fathering role, or children who had unaffectionate fathers are likely not to have a favourable view of God as a Father. Children raised in "single-parent", fatherless homes, tend to think of God as an "absentee" God. Children whose fathers performed well in the parenting role, are more apt to relate positively toward the fatherhood of God.

Sometimes when a young man or young woman gets into trouble or engages in disgraceful conduct, things are said to the effect that "He/she never saw his/her mother pray." Somehow mothers are supposed to be the more religious parent, but sons and daughters who see their fathers pray are much more likely to be influenced for good.

Many fathers the nation over are sending signals that are harmful to their children and to the Church of Jesus Christ. For example, things such as a double standard of sexual morality, an attitude that sets material prosperity as the highest good in life, or that going to church once on Sunday is more than enough for the Lord, are all attitudes that some fathers pass on to their children.

What kind of father are you? Are you a father like Joshua, who said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."? Are you perhaps something like Eli, who was too doting a father to call sin, sin in his children? Are you a father like Abraham, of whom God said, "for he shall command (lead) his children after him"? But above all, are you the kind of father who will be a good "picture" of the fatherhood of God?

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