Understanding God the Father: What the Bible Reveals About His Identity and Role
Article: The Forgotten Father
Understanding God the Father: What the Bible Reveals About His Identity and Role
Christians often focus intensely on studying Jesus Christ, yet know surprisingly little about God the Father. While we call Him "Abba Father" and believe He sent His Son for our salvation, the specific nature and responsibilities of the First Person of the Godhead (what many call the ‘Trinity” - a word not actually found in scripture), remain shrouded in mystery for many believers.
A new online course by “The Happy Theologist” Tov Rose aims to change that through an in-depth examination of what the Bible reveals about God's identity, His unique attributes and duties, and His relationship with the Son.
The Forgotten Father
Tov notes that even though prayer is directed to the Father, and Jesus himself prioritized revealing the unseen Father, churches rarely explore His distinct divine role. "There is so much teaching about Jesus in the Church, but so little about his Dad," Tov laments. "In this course I want to clear up the confusion."
While YHVH is a Hebrew name for God frequently used in the Old Testament, Tov explains that there is more nuance to it, than most realize. In fact, there are many names for God in Scripture, but only three that denote the First Person. This course, and extended series of courses, examine those names and the responsibilities associated with each.
“And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in Your Name, which you have Given Me, that they may be one, even as we are one.” John 17:11
The course will cover concepts like:
The areas of authority and duties delegated to the Son, the Word of God, now known as Jesus (begun in Jesus in the Old Testament I)
The aspects of divine power reserved for the Father alone
Insights from the "two powers in heaven" theological framework held in ancient Judaism
The only Old Testament appearances of the Father are of Him seated on His Throne in Heaven.
The goal is to clarify the roles and relationships within the Godhead, so we can better appreciate both the transcendence of the Father and the revelation of God we receive through faith in Messiah, Yeshua *Jesus).
The Origin of Confusion
Some confusion arises from the mystery of the interrelations between the Three Persons of the Godhead. Tov argues that the modern Western church also lacks understanding about early Jewish theological frameworks.
"Most followers of Jesus think they know the Father, because they know about the YHVH - the Hebrew Name of God," Tov says. "Is it really the Father though?" What did Jesus mean when he said that His Father shared His Name with Jesus at the end of his own three chapter prayer for his students after his “last supper,” and before being crucified?
This raises an important question: Were Old Testament appearances and references to "God" actually the Father, or the pre-incarnate Son - the Word through whom the Father created the worlds? (Gospel of John 1, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1).
Tov will delve deeply into Scripture and draw on the research of other scholars to distinguish references to the Word from those that denote the Father exclusively.
He'll also explore questions like:
Did the Father ever physically appear in visible form in the Old and New Testaments? Or was it only the Word, who later became flesh and dwelt among us?
Is the God who interacted with Moses the same figure who fathered Jesus? Or was it The Word?
How do we accurately understand descriptions of God, like his walking in Eden, resting from work on the 7th day, doing signs, wonders and miracles, etc.? God was seen and interacted with at least 44 times in the Old Testament, but which member of the Godhead was it?
Gaining Clarity on God's Nature
Some argue that these questions impose a "binitarian" view ( Father and Son) rather than trinitarian (Father, Son and Spirit). In response, Tov affirms the Three remain indivisible in unity, sovereignty and divinity of the Godhead. However, like the good Jewish guy he is, there’s always a “Yes, but there’s more.” The course focuses specifically on understanding distinctions within roles, manifestations, responsibilities, authority, etc.
In fact, Tov believes if we don't recognize which actions in Scripture refer to the Father or the Word, we impose confusion around God's unchanging nature. For example, Jesus can weep or grow in wisdom on earth while the Father in heaven remains all-knowing and unaffected by time.
Does the Father ever get up off His Throne in Heaven? Has He ever done it?
We must allow biblical passages ascribing change, human traits, limited perception, etc. to God refer exclusively to the incarnated Son (even in his pre-incarnate form as “The Word," and never to the Most High Father. Tov's course aims for precise theological clarity on these issues.
Who Reveals the Hidden Father?