Recently I gave a talk to a group of retired academics. Given the freedom to choose a topic from my book, Slices of God, I chose to talk about the Trinity. The long and the short of it is Trinitarian doctrine is relatively new (300’s CE), not clearly outlined in either the Old or New Testaments, and questioned by many theologians, including some of the Radical Reformers (1500’s CE). For more information on this controversy, see chapter 3.12 in the book.[1] For now, however, I want to focus on a question addressed to me during the Q and A period that followed the talk.
A psychologist in the back row asked, “Whom do you pray to?” Acknowledging I had just highlighted issues with the Trinity, I said, “After all the processing and questioning I have done, I still find myself talking with Father. It is comforting for me.” Having said that, I quickly admitted the Father image is not a positive image for everyone. Some individuals I have met find it revolting instead of comforting. Others are indifferent about it. Either way, to whom can father-fearing, but God-believing individuals relate?
In the Old Testament, we find one scriptural text that says God is a “father to the fatherless.”[2] Such a statement begs us to question the issue further. What is God to the motherless? What is God to the childless? What is God to the spouseless? What is God to the friendless? What is God to the lifeless? Have we limited the ways in which God can and does present himself to us, given our human brokenness? (And yes, I caught the fact that I just said, “himself.” It is natural for me.)
In The Shack, William P. Young portrays God as a wise, strong, comforting, and compassionate woman.[3] I find the character portrayal incredibly warm and welcoming. I understand that Jesus taught his disciples to pray to “our Father in heaven,”[4] but it was also in a culture that was strongly patriarchal. Jesus was notorious for meeting individuals on their terms and often in ways that were taboo for that culture.[5]
So how should we address God? God, being infinite, has no insecurities to motivate a slap on the face for misaddressing “him.” God, in God’s infinite grace, just wants time with us; conversation with us. If no other designation works, then perhaps you can pray, “Our Friend in heaven, you are whole, and I long to connect with you.”
God cares more about the connection than the conduit.
– Sam Augsburger
www.slicesofgod.com
[1]See the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy at https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/trinity/trinity-history.html
[2]Psalm 68:5
[3]William P. Young, The Shack(Newbury Park: Windblown Media, 2007)
[4]Matthew 6:9-13
[5]John 4
