The past three or four decades have given rise to a new and now popular expression used by many Christians when they begin a public prayer. The title of which we are concerned is whereby Christians address God in Heaven, which is our "Heavenly Father" with a 2-word term, phrase, or expression called - "Father God". Pulpit preaching, bible teaching, public and private prayers, articles, and teaching materials in the Christian community are now peppered with this phrase - "Father God"
Where does "Father God" come from, what does it mean, is it valid? This article will examine this to determine whether use of this expression is appropriate.
Before we begin, it would be prudent for the bible reader to try and recall where in their favorite Bible version does this phrase appear? It is not necessary to grab a concordance at this time or do a word search via a computer Bible program. Can the Bible reader from memory recall ever seeing "Father God" in their bible? Where did it come from?
First, we examine the word "God" in our English Bibles and we note that it comes from the Greek word "Theos". This is Strong's number 2316. This is where we get our word "theology" from when scripture refers to God with a capital "G". It refers to the true God who resides in heaven who in the beginning created heaven and earth, and not the false gods referred to elsewhere in scripture.
The word "God" in the New Testament refers to a general name of deity, that is, the Godhead, which we refer to as "The Trinity". The word trinity is a concept whereby the "One God" of Israel in the old testament is revealed clearly to the church in the new testament as consisting of three members which are identified as...
So now we know that the bible can use the word "God" to refer to either one or all three of the above in the New Testament.
Now we turn our attention to the word "Father" which is the Greek word "Pater" which is Strong's number 3962. The word "Father" when associated with deity can refer to one of two things...
Both reference the first person of the trinity - "God the Father". However, the context of any specific passage will tell us in which sense it is being used, but "Father" with reference to deity always refers to the first person of the Trinity.
Now when these two words are put together, "Father" and "God", we have created a new title called - "Father God".
Immediately we see that there are three problems with this expression. They are ...
First, we examine the obvious grammatical error. The grammatical error with the phrase "Father God" occurs because the first word "Father" identifies specifically the first person of the trinity. The second word "God" refers to one or all of the trinity depending on the context of how it is used. This doesn't make grammatical sense.
For example, would you introduce your earthly father to an acquaintance as your "Father Man"? Father refers specifically to your biological father, but according to Webster, the word "man" can refer to:
How about introducing your sister to a friend as your "Sister Man". This would suggest that man now refers to Homo sapiens. Or how about introducing her as your "Sister Woman"? This would clarify that she is of the female species as if they didn't know that already. Your former high school English teacher would have a heart attack to learn that you are capable of butchering the English language in such fashion and make complete nonsense.
No, the correct statement of introduction would be for example, "I want you to meet a "woman" who has been most influential in my life, my "sister" Edith." You begin with the general category of woman and then identify specifically which woman you are talking about, in this case, your sister - followed by the specifics - her name.
So use of the phrase "Father God" is categorically and grammatically incorrect...
We have already noted that the first word "Father" refers specifically to the first person of the trinity... The second word "God" may include all of the persons of the trinity or one person of the trinity depending on the context of the passage...
Therefore, based on our understanding of who "God" is and who the "Father" is, we have an obvious theological problem. The phrase "Father God" is the same as saying -
Father God => whereby God can refer to God the Father, or God the son Jesus Christ, or God the Holy Spirit.
So this is in effect identifying the three persons of the trinity as "Father"
By combining these two words together we have created a title by which all members of the trinity are called "Father" which is not true. All three are God, but not all can be or ever should be addressed as "Father". This title is therefore, both doctrinally and theologically incorrect.
The third and final reason "Father God" is incorrect is by referring to the ultimate authority on the subject. That authority is "The word of God" - the Bible.
We can quickly do a word or phrase search using any Bible software program on any of the most popular Bible versions to see where the phrase "Father God" is used. The Bible search engines return a consistent result.
A search for the phrase "Father God" was performed using our computer Bible program on the following Bible versions:
Our search engine returned the result -- Father God found 0 times--. Do the findings tell you anything? Should a Christian be surprised to find that this 2-word expression does not exist?
The inspired writers of our New Testament never used "Father God" when addressing God. The inspired writers of our Old Testament never used "Father God" when addressing God. The KJV bible and other popular Bible versions and translations do not use it.
Jesus Himself gave instructions on how to address God in prayer when His disciples asked him how they should pray....
Luke 11:1-2
(1) And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.
(2) And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.
So when you hear Christians addressing God as "Father God", where do they get it? Is it not odd to read the Bible from cover to cover and learn all the names of God and how they are used and then start addressing God as "Father God" whereas the Bible writers never used it?
Therefore, "Father God" is completely unbiblical, grammatically incorrect, and theologically incorrect. It is a "slang" expression fabricated by men, is fictitious, and is of unknown origin. Yet use of this expression resounds from Church pulpits from many Preacher/Teachers some of which have a Doctrinal degree in Theology. This has trickled down to the Christian lay person who mimics this phrase as if it has some divine origin...
This expression is as fabled as "Father Time" we see portrayed every new year's eve here in the U.S. As the clock nears midnight, we see the old man (Father Time) exit and the new baby arrive to take his place and kick off the new year.
The result is that the name for God has been tampered with and addressing God as deity in such a manner is corrupt. At best it is disrespectful and at worst it is blasphemous to call God the Father by a foreign name. Perhaps this last days generation has created a backdoor method whereby we have broken the third commandment...
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain... (Exo 20:7)
Use of this biblical slang has permeated Christian vocabulary and is used by many Christians irrespective of specific church doctrine. Who would ever do such a thing as introduce such a foreign phrase into common Christian vocabulary to address the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? God the Father who has manifested and revealed Himself to the church in the person of Jesus Christ and empowered us by the indwelling Holy Spirit?
Use of biblical slang a problem and error that the astute Bible student needs to be aware of. Although, not on the same level as the unpardonable sin, when placed alongside a host of other doctrinal errors regarding the word of God, it is certainly worthy of honorable mention.
Today's Christians are easily influenced by thoughts, ideas, and now phrases which are completely unbiblical. It is highly unlikely that any Bible student could read their Bible from cover to cover and then start referring to our "Heavenly Father" as: "Father God". Where could they possibly come up with such a phrase since it is never used that way in the scriptures and then use it profusely? Are there not enough examples in the Bible whereby a Christian could learn to address God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?
Use of this title is a reflection on our Seminaries and seminary graduates who ascend to Church pulpits to reveal how such sloppy theology is tolerated and promoted. On the laymen's side, it reveals how influential and easily doctrinal error is absorbed by the Christian community. This is just another example of how this generation with all of our Bible translations, Lexicons, concordances, Greek interlinears, and study aids manage to usurp the power, authority, and inspiration of the written "Word of God".
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, ...
Perhaps we have arrived at that time. A word of warning to readers of this article. Please do not make yourself God's policeman on this issue. Many Christians use this biblical slang in a guiltless manner not knowing or realizing the error of using it. There is a right time and right place to expose doctrinal errors without giving offense.
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
The verses below are Biblical examples to quickly show how we are to address deity, in particular, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God the Father or Father God?
Act_2:33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
Rom_1:7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom_15:6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co_1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co_8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
1Co_15:24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
2Co_1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Co_1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
2Co_11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.
Gal_1:1 Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),
Gal_1:3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,
Gal_1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
Eph_1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph_1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Eph_1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,
Eph_4:6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Eph_5:20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Eph_6:23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Php_1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Php_2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Php_4:20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Col_1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Col_1:3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
Col_2:2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
Col_3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
1Th_1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Th_1:3 remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
1Th_3:11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.
1Th_3:13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
2Th_1:1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th_1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th_2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
1Ti_1:2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
2Ti_1:2 To Timothy, a beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Tit_1:4 To Titus, a true son in our common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Phm_1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jas_1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Jas_3:9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.
1Pe_1:2 elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.
1Pe_1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
2Pe_1:17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
2Jn_1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Jud_1:1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
Rev_1:6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.