Like Other Fathers, G-d the Father is "Out"

"With all the talk about abusive fathers and deadbeat dads, fathers nowadays-including the Heavenly One-don't get much respect. Evangelicals are obsessed with His Son, charismatics are in love with the Spirit, and Catholics find their model of christian perfection in Mary. Meanwhile Mainline Protestants, in their desire for inclusiveness, are busy purging hymnals and prayerbooks of any mention of the paternal deity.

The Bible itself isn't big on the Fatherhood of G-d. The Old Testament rarely refers to Him in those terms, and the New Testament is written strictly from the Son's perspective.

Although Christians and Jews still address prayers to G-d the Father, that will soon change if feminist theologians prevail. Already, students at elite divinity schools have to watch their metaphors, using God the Mother or resorting to the neuter term "Godself." "Few theologians these days seem to want a G-d who takes charge, assumes responsibility, fights for His children, makes demands, punishes as well as forgives. In a word, a Father."

From an article entitled: "Hallowed be Thy Name." Newsweek, June 17, 1996, page 75.