Is it wrong to think of Jesus as a Father?

[niall]

Often, when reading about saints’ lives and visions they have seen of Jesus, they describe Jesus addressing him or her as His child or His Son/Daughter. Regarding the Doctrine of the Trinity, would it be wrong to think of Jesus as more of a father figure?

Also, often I find myself thinking of Jesus more than any Other in the Trinity. He takes up nearly ALL of my thoughts when regarding God. Of course, I’d never deny the Father or the Holy Spirit. But is it wrong to think of One Person in the Trinity so much more than the others?

 

[porthos11]

I dislike expressions that on the surface appear to conflate Christ with the Father, e.g. “Papa Jesus”, or “we are Jesus’ sons/daughters.” It skirts too close for comfort to Modalism.

In light of sound theology of the Incarnation, that is, his assuming of our human nature, our baptism into him as adopted sons of God, and in light of the Athanasian Creed and the Trinitarian Shield, Christ, the Second Person of the Trinity is better related to as our Brother.

 

[gazelam]

Jesus is sometimes referred to in scripture as a Father.

Isaiah 9:5 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.

John 5:43 I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him.

I hope thus helps…

 

[Tis_Bearself]

Jesus said He was in the Father and the Father was in Him, So I tend to not draw a division. But at the same time, if I think of God the Father as “Father God”, and also think of St. Joseph as my adopted spiritual father, then it’s easier for me to think of Jesus as a friend or a really cool older brother. Note that a friend or an older brother might also be a “father figure” in your life if you needed them to. They might even call you “child” without actually being your biodad or step dad, if they were older or wiser than you.

There is nothing wrong with focusing heavily on Jesus, as long as you do not deny the existence of the Trinity and its other two persons. Jesus is highly relatable and many saints had a very great devotion to him.

 

[patricius79]

I know in litanies about Jesus he is reffered to as “Father of the world to come” and “father of the poor”

 

[oldgraymare2]

I personally don’t see a problem with it.

I think about Jesus a lot, too. I also consider the other members of the Trinity, but my mind and heart are drawn towards Jesus.

 

[TK421]

The Second Person of the Trinity, because of the Oneness of God, is our Creator, Savior, and our Sanctifier. But primacy is given to the Son as our Savior, primacy is given to the Father as our Creator, and primacy is given to the Holy Spirit as our Sanctifier, even though all of them are all of the above.

It isn’t incorrect to say that Jesus is our father, since he and the Father are one, but it is generally more appropriate to call him Lord and brother.

Titles can be given differently depending on the context. We can refer to our big sister as a mother, or a big brother as a father.