God the Father is a title given to God in modern monotheist religions, such as Christianity, Judaism and Bahá'í, in part because he is viewed as having an active interest in human affairs, in the way that a father would take an interest in his children who are dependent on him.
In Judaism, God is described as father as he is said to be the creator, life-giver, law-giver, and protector. However, in Judaism the use of the Father title is generally a metaphor and is one of many titles by which Jews speak of and to God.
Since the second century, Christian creeds included affirmation of belief in "God the Father (Almighty)", primarily as his capacity as "Father and creator of the universe". Yet, in Christianity the concept of God as the father of Jesus is distinct from the concept of God as the Creator and father of all people, as indicated in the Apostle's Creed where the expression of belief in the "Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth" is immediately, but separately followed by in "Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord", thus expressing both senses of fatherhood.
The Islamic view of God sees God as the unique creator of the universe and as the life-giver, but does not accept the term "father" in reference to God, as well as in regard to his relationship to the prophet Isa, i.e. Jesus in Islam.
Read more about God The Father: Overview, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Other Religions, God The Father in Western Art
Famous quotes containing the words god and/or father:
“If, as they say, God spanked the town
For being over-frisky,
Why did He burn all the churches down
And spare Hotaling’s Whiskey?”
—For the State of California, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“As a father I had some trouble finding the words to separate the person from the deed. Usually, when one of my sons broke the rules or a window, I was too angry to speak calmly and objectively. My own solution was to express my feelings, but in an exaggerated, humorous way: “You do that again and you will be grounded so long they will call you Rip Van Winkle II,” or “If I hear that word again, I’m going to braid your tongue.””
—David Elkind (20th century)