God’s personal name, Father, is used less and less in our time. The Immigrant’s Creed (Editorial, Sept. 16) refers to “almighty God,” not “God, the Father almighty,” as in the Apostle’s Creed. In the Gospels, Jesus almost always referred to God by the intimate name of Father or Abba (Papa). When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he began, “Our Father in heaven, holy is your name.”
Yes, some children do not have a loving father, and I am grieved by that. But we all can have a loving Father and learn from such a One. Father is God’s name as given by Jesus. He taught his disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
I feel affirmed and more intimately addressed when called by my name. I believe God is honored when addressed by the intimate, personal name of Father. That is not to say that a generic title is not also heard by God.
Eugene K. Souder
Harrisonburg, Va.
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