This looks at different parenting types and see how that corresponds to different related views we have about God. The metaphor of God as Father gives insight about God, but also can give insight as to being a good father.

1. God as Our Father
Relationship Between Our
Understanding of Fatherhood and Our
Understanding of God

2. Jesus told us to refer to God
as “Our Father”
“Our Father which art in
Heaven, Hallowed be Thy
Name...”

3. … But that guidance can be
confusing for some people as
their image of God is tainted by
a poor image of their own
father... or other fathers they
see around them.

4. Presumably, Jesus means that
God is a GOOD FATHER...
Two aspects of being a
father is providing nurture,
and providing discipline.

5. The focus here is on fathers
because the metaphor in the Bible
of God as our father.
But the role of mother
overlaps greatly with that
of father, and equally
applies here.

6. Nurture:
Parental Warmth… The degree to which
parents are accepting, responsive, and
compassionate with their children.

7. Parental Warmth Spectrum
------------------------------------------------------------------
Parents high | Parents who | Parents who
In warmth | show little | show no warmth
warmth at all
HIGH WARMTH IS RECOMMENDED

8. Discipline:
Parental Control… The degree to which
parents set limits and enforce rules.

9. Parental Control Spectrum
------------------------------------------------------------------
Parents with | Moderate degree | Very little
High degree | of control | or no control
of control at all
MODERATE DEGREE OF CONTROL IS
RECOMMENDED

11. Authoritarian Fathers
Excessive Control
Minimal Warmth
Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, don’t over-correct your children, or they
will grow up feeling inferior and frustrated.”
(J.B. Phillips New Testament)

12. Authoritarian Fathers
highly demanding.
expect their orders to be followed without
explanation.
no negotiation allowed
obedience-centered
disciplinary methods tend to be harsh and
punitive (can be physically or emotionally
abusive)
the parent-child relationship is fearful and
distant

13. Children of Authoritarian Fathers
tend to be fearful, anxious
have higher level of depression
rebellious/defiant toward authority figures
relies too much on authority for decisions
lower self-esteem; feels trapped and angry but
afraid to confront his parents
may perform well in school, but the achievement
is more to meet the parent’s high expectations.

14. Some Believe in an Authoritarian
God
God is vengeful, angry.
God is a judge, looking on us disapprovingly,
waiting to punish.
God cannot be trusted in times of trouble.
God expects us to be perfect... and maybe.... just
maybe... if we are perfect enough, we can “buy”
God's love.

15. Permissive Parents
These parents have little control.
They may be loving... showing warmth
I Samuel 3:13
For I told him that I would judge his family
forever because of the sin he knew about;
his sons blasphemed God,and he failed to
restrain them.

16. I Samuel 3:13 is a verse referring to
God's message to the High Priest Eli,
via young Samuel. Eli gave his sons
position of power and prestige at the
tabernacle... and failed to discipline
them when they used this situation
for their own selfish benefit.

17. Permissive Fathers
Are overprotective
Submit to their children’s whims and
demands... coddling
Cannot say no to their children.

18. Children of Permissive Fathers
Are often self-centered.
Are used to getting their own way
Are low in social responsibility
Display immature and regressive behaviors
and may grow up to be infantile adults.
Lack self-discipline and have little respect for
others.

19. Some see God as a Permissive
Father
God is a grandfatherly type. Kind, generous...
but maybe a bit out of touch with reality.
God gives out good stuff if we ask... or at least
ask in the right way.
God can be manipulated.
God doesn't really expect much from us except
maybe remembering Him once in awhile...
especially when we are in trouble.

20. Neglecting Fathers
These parents have low warmth.
They also provide little control
Proverbs 13:24
Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but
the one who loves their children is careful to
discipline them.

21. Caution Here
The term “rod” here often refers to the
rod used by a shepherd, used to guide
not beat. So don't be too quick to
assume that this verse is about
corporal punishment. Regardless, it
definitely notes the link between
proper guiding of children, and loving
them.

22. Neglecting/Rejecting Fathers
They fail to fulfill their
responsibilities as parents; they
may not be committed to the task
of raising children; they may be
depressed or emotionally
unavailable to their children.

23. Children of Neglecting Parents
show higher rates of delinquency,
drug use and early sexual activity.
perform poorly in school
show disruptions in peer relations as
well as cognitive development.

24. Some see God as a Neglectful
Father
God is out there somewhere but
irrelevant to our lives.
God cannot be relied upon to care or
respond to our needs.
God doesn't really care, or maybe only
cares if I do something REALLY bad.

25. Authoritative Fathers
Moderately High Parental
control and
High Parental warmth.

26. Authoritative Fathers
Warm and firm enforcing of standards of behavior
Encouraging/affirming
Provides children with autonomy with moderate
limits
Use disciplinary methods that are supportive
rather than punitive
There is a clear communication between parent
and child, and the lines of communication go both
ways

27. Children of Authoritative Fathers
Performs better in school
Is less hostile and has greater self-esteem
Shows more purpose and independence in
their activities
Is more self-reliant and more socially
competent.
Has positive coping skills
Has clear understanding of acceptable and
unacceptable behaviors

28. Some See God as an Authoritative
Father
God loves and God guides
God expects us to do what is right, but is
supportive when we fail.
God is there when we need Him, but knows
that what we want is not always what we
need.
God has good plans for us and disciplines us
to be ready for those plans.

29. God as an Authoritative Father
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and
they follow me. (Provides guidance/control)
I give them eternal life, and they shall never
perish; (Provides warmth/care)
no one will snatch them out of my hand. My
Father, who has given them to me, is greater
than all; no one can snatch them out of my
Father’s hand. (Provides control and care)
-John 10:27-29

30. God as an Authoritative Father
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven. (Control)
Give us this day our daily bread, (Care)
and forgive us our debts, (Care) as we also
have forgiven our debtors. (Control)
And lead us not into temptation, (Control)
but deliver us from evil.(Care)
-Matthew 6:9-13

31. God and Father
God is provident... acting to show care and
protection for His people and creation. This
includes expressing love through actions that
protect and help a person grow.
This same quality is what a good father should have
for his children (and a good mother as well).
Handled properly, the metaphor of God as our
heavenly Father should both help us understand
God, and help us understand what it is to be a
good father.

32. God as Our Father
Relationship Between Our
Understanding of Fatherhood and Our
Understanding of God