papa

Galatians 4

4 But when the right time came, God sent his Son,

     born of a woman,

     subject to the law.


5 God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law,

     so that he could adopt us as his very own children.

6 And because we are his children,

     God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,

     prompting us to call out, "Abba, Father."


7 Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child.

And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.



"Abba" in Hebrew is the familiar way of addressing our earthly fathers.

Some folks feel this is translated "Daddy".

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that - it seems a bit trite for the God of the universes.

But what do I know?

I prefer to think of it more of a word like "papa" - it's a familiar word, but one where there is a feeling of respect, too

I know, I know it's just a matter of semantics...

The really important issue here is this...

     we are able, through the sacrifice of Jesus, to have a relationship w/ the holy, omnipotent God of the ages;

     a relationship on such intimate terms with Him that we can address Him with a familiar, tender term as "papa".



What other religion offers that kind of intimacy with the god they worship?