God as Father: Exploring the Father Metaphor in the Psalms and ANE Iconography
Location
Seminary Commons
Start Date
9-2-2018 10:30 AM
End Date
9-2-2018 11:00 AM
Description
From the descriptions of Patriarchs, to prescriptions of fathers in the book of Proverbs and even comparatively to God in the Psalms, the concept of fatherhood, whether faulty or exemplary, is constant throughout the Old Testament. Though there is no systematically organized teaching on how to be a father in the Bible, perceptible attributes of the ANE father archetype can be gathered. Through a study of the four references to “God as Father” in the book of Psalms as well as exploring related ANE iconography, this paper seeks to explore areas in which the biblical text and ANE iconography converge and diverge. As a result, timeless similarities are discovered and differences set forth. Ultimately, this paper attempts to offer some practical application related to the father character.
God as Father: Exploring the Father Metaphor in the Psalms and ANE Iconography
Seminary Commons
From the descriptions of Patriarchs, to prescriptions of fathers in the book of Proverbs and even comparatively to God in the Psalms, the concept of fatherhood, whether faulty or exemplary, is constant throughout the Old Testament. Though there is no systematically organized teaching on how to be a father in the Bible, perceptible attributes of the ANE father archetype can be gathered. Through a study of the four references to “God as Father” in the book of Psalms as well as exploring related ANE iconography, this paper seeks to explore areas in which the biblical text and ANE iconography converge and diverge. As a result, timeless similarities are discovered and differences set forth. Ultimately, this paper attempts to offer some practical application related to the father character.