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answermethis
Guest
I have been looking for the first reference in scripture that teaches that humans are to look to God as Father rather than just Creator. Anyone know of an early Old Testament reference?
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Kaninchen
Guest
Deuteronomy 14:1 “You are the children of the LORD your God.”
It should be pointed out, of course, that, in Judaism, God is beyond such things as gender and that ‘fatherhood’ in this sense is a linguistic convenience.
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answermethis
Guest
Thank You!
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Nine_Two
Guest
God is genderless in Christianity as well. It is only the incarnation which has gender.
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Kaninchen
Guest
I appreciate that, I was commenting on the concept of ‘fatherhood’ in the OP and the “children of the LORD your God” in the context of Judaism’s avoidance of ascribing human characteristics to God.
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Timothy17
Guest
In your personal opinion, though, (I’m not sure if Judaism has a central authority or universal doctrine to answer this question) aren’t most human characteristics reflections or emanations of the Divine? For example, the fact we are created in his image and likeness, but from our own faults fall away from that image and likeness? Again, wouldn’t Adam and Eve, theoretically, have understood God as their Father in the absolute sense, seeing as he performed that role and even that function (in creating them) for them?
The reason I ask this question is because I think your response, if taken absolutely, would effectively cut-off man from understanding God at all; that is, the command to love him and serve him would be tyrannical if we were incapable of knowing him (required to truly love someone) or understanding him (required to truly serve someone). We are all human, and we understand the universe from our human perspective. If ascribing human characteristics to God is a big no-no, then this God would become alien to most, would he not?
**EDIT:ADDED: **
P.S - If you wouldn’t mind my dear, could you do me the favour of sending me a private message if you respond to this thread? I would be thankful
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