Is God the Father of All?

Is God the Father of every human being? It wasn't too long ago that I would have firmly answered, "No!" because the distinction is often drawn in the Bible between those that are the children of God and the children of the devil. To answer, instead, "Yes!" smacks of watered down liberalism - to which I gave (and still give) no quarter!

But over the last few years I've realized that my dogmatic "No!" is not all the Bible has to say about this question. Here are a few verses that point in another direction:

"Do we not all have one father? Has not one God created us?" Mal.2:10

"And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven." Mt. 23:9

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name" Eph. 3:14-15

"one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Eph. 4:6

Some might object that, if taken in context, these verses do not apply to "all" mankind. I do not see how that can be proven from the contexts of these texts - but, let's consider one more passage that is of considerable interest to me: Acts 17:28

"...for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.' “Being then the children of God...." (New American Standard Bible)

Paul here quotes from a Stoic philosopher* - and shows his full assent by repeating the fact that we are God's "offspring" (or "children") - and using it as a pillar in constructing his argument against pagan idolatry. And while this verse does not state "God is the Father of all" in so many words - I would hope the irrefutable logical connection is obvious: if we are all God's children - then God is the Father of us all.

All of this brings up something that we evangelical Christians seldom like to face: the Bible has its tensions - at times saying things which appear to be in disagreement with one another. Those who want to disprove the Bible will call these "contradictions" and errors. But, for those of us who are persuaded that in and through the Bible we have God's Word written, we will have to come to terms with these tensions - try to resolve them, if possible, or live with them if not.

And here is the great danger into which we so easily fall: we have such an intuitive demand  for systematization that we end up making one verse fit into the other - making the matter clearer than it really is - emptying one verse into another, such that its original and obvious meaning  is lost. Truth can fall victim to doctrinal clarity and dogmatic certainty.

I believe that God inspired the Bible - that He providentially supervened over it's every letter - jot and tittle. But for reasons we do not yet understand - he gave this Word to us in the form of a "riddle" (the word behind "darkly"- Grk. ainigma in 1 Cor. 13:12). And I believe that one of the best verses in the Bible that serves as a key to this riddle - and to guide us in our interpretation and theological reflection - is Psalm 119:160 

"The sum of thy word is truth"

What do you think? Please feel free to leave your comments or questions below....

(Next Time: Why does this matter?)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*Aratus: "All ways are full of Zeus and all meeting places of men - the seas and harbors are full of Him. In every direction we all have to do with Zeus - for we are all His offspring"