Calling God "Father": Essays on the Bible, Fatherhood and Culture

by John W. Miller

There are those who say the Bible is so hopelessly patriarchal it must be abandoned. Yet this is the very reason, says John Miller, why it must be embraced. Imaging God as father is necessary for the betterment of women and children and for the very health of western civilization. It's been ten years since Miller presented his controversial analysis of why we need to call God "father." In that time, he says, there has been only more proof of the devastating consequences of fatherlessness. Miller updates his earlier Biblical, psychological, and sociological evidence with recent findings from the social sciences. He also explicitly addresses feminist critiques of patriarchy. He shows how the Bible can foster a high culture of fathering and actually help men to shape up in their parenting responsibilities. Miller has written a love-or-hate book, but even those who hate it will want to know what he has to say. This is fascinating reading for traditional Christians, evangelicals, and anyone concerned with family values, as well as feminists, members of women's groups, members of men's groups, and anyone teaching or learning about gender issues.

208 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1999

Reviews

[Laurin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some great contributions regarding the role of fathers in the Old Testament and ANE. He provides some helpful arguments against various common assumptions regarding the patriarchal family structure. It is well worth reading to see biblical, psychological, and science-based arguments on the benefits of the father taking a large role in family life and being ultimately responsible for its health and well being in terms of providing and caring for his wife and children.

I gave it three stars rather than four because I thought he replied a bit too heavily upon evolutionary psychology and some guesses about matriarchal family structures that I am not convinced are accurate. It seemed he may have a more theistic evolutionary approach in his assumptions which I took issue with.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whatever you think about the modern debates about masculinity, Miller offers here an excellent analysis of the philosophical, theological, sociological and (to a limited extent) psychological implications of calling God "Father". Based on the Hebrew tradition and scriptures, this analysis includes not only theoretical exploration of the text but also the way they have impacted on the communities which are guided by them.