Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ Romans

[Red Thorn]

Is it okay to call God dad like how people call him father?

[jimwalton]

Romans 8.15 says it's OK to call God "Abba." It was a name of intimate relationship and affection, much like our "Dad" or "Daddy." It was sometimes a baby's first word, like our "Dada." It was used in situations that were informal, familial, and comfortable. Keener says it's the equivalent of "Papa." The term was used by early Christians in prayer. The text it's written in (Rom. 8.15) is one of family belonging, of beloved children and devoted parents. By these analyses, it's acceptable to call God "Dad," or even "Daddy," as long as we mean it as an address of love and family, and not being irreverent in our use of it (just using it to be cool or casual).