A Fresh Perspective - January 2, 2009
In Paul's letter to the Galatian Christians he states that God has sent the Spirit of God's Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" (4:6). The word "Abba" is an Aramaic word meaning "Father" that appears in the New Testament four times (two in the Gospels and two in Paul). It is transliterated in the Greek New Testament, rather than translated; that is, it is spelled in Greek as it was pronounced in Aramaic, thus preserving the Aramaic word Jesus most often used for God.
In Palestinian culture the word was primarily employed within the intimate conversation of family. It was a warm, personal term frequently used by children, though not limited to children, conveying a sense of tenderness and closeness. A number of scholars believe Jesus was the first to use this word to speak of God; though other scholars have found evidence that a few Jewish mystics spoke of God this way.
"Abba's" preservation by the early Christians suggests that Jesus used this term frequently, and this common usage made a lasting impact on how Jesus' followers imagined God. Jesus and his early followers pictured God as a caring, compassionate Parent.
The image transcends gender. "Father" is used because Jesus' culture was pervasively patriarchal. God, however, has no gender. Jesus told the woman of Samaria: "God is Spirit and those who worship God must worship in spirit and in truth." In the creation story of Genesis one God creates both male and female in God's image; both man and woman reflect God's likeness.
In a patriarchal culture God as "Abba/Father" includes God as "Mother." Paul used the term "sons" to refer to all of God's children; God's "daughters" were subsumed under "sons." We too, in western civilization, previously used the terms "man" and "mankind" in similar fashion. This is the way patriarchal language functions. Western society, in recent times, has become more conscious of its prejudices shaped by patriarchy. So now, in a more egalitarian culture, it is inappropriate to employ the terms "man" or "mankind" in a generic way; instead we say "humanity" or "humankind" to be more inclusive.
All God language is metaphorical, symbolic, non-literal language. In order to imagine and relate to God in a personal way we have to assign God human qualities and characteristics. But God, as Spirit, is genderless.
The emphasis with the word "Abba" points to God as a caring, compassionate, loving Mother or Father who attends to the concerns and needs of God's children. God is not a cold, stern, aloof "other"; rather, God relates to us as an engaged parent relates to his or her child.
The church needs more liturgies, songs, and prayers that reflect the richness that is God.