“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
— Genesis 1:1 (NRSV)
1. Introduction
Among the world’s faith traditions, the Bible presents God the Father as the eternal source and sovereign origin of all existence. He is not one deity among many but the self-existent One who simply is. Christian theology describes Him as the First Person of the Trinity, the fountain of deity (principium deitatis) from whom the Son is eternally begotten and the Spirit eternally proceeds (Augustine 1991). This first article explores His nature, the meaning of His revealed name, His works and attributes, and how believers relate to Him in worship.
2. Biblical Foundation
Scripture introduces God as Creator before all else (Genesis 1:1). Later revelation deepens this picture:
- Eternality – “From everlasting to everlasting You are God” (Psalm 90:2).
- Self-existence – “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14).
- Fatherhood – Jesus taught, “Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).
- Holiness and love – “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:3); “God is love” (1 John 4:8).
These texts present the Father as personal, relational, and moral, not an abstract cosmic force. He wills, speaks, loves, and judges—attributes of consciousness and purpose.
3. The Name and Linguistic Development
3.1 YHWH (יהוה)
The divine name first revealed to Moses was YHWH (Tetragrammaton), derived from the Hebrew verb hāyâ (“to be”). God declared:
“I AM WHO I AM … This is My name for ever” (Exodus 3:14–15).
It signifies self-existence, eternal presence, and covenant faithfulness (Fretheim 1991).
3.2 Adonai and Substitution
Ancient Israelites considered YHWH too sacred to pronounce; when reading Scripture they said Adonai (“Lord”). Consequently, Hebrew manuscripts preserved YHWH’s consonants but inserted the vowels of Adonai—a scribal convention known as qere kethib.
3.3 Jehovah and LORD
Medieval translators combined the two forms, yielding YeHoWaH, which entered Latin as Jehova and English as Jehovah (Tyndale 1530; KJV 1611). Modern Bibles often print LORD (small capitals) to represent the same name. Though “Jehovah” is linguistically hybrid, it historically expressed the covenant name of the Father God, reminding readers that He is personal, faithful, and present (Baker 1995).
3.4 Theological Meaning
The name YHWH distinguishes the Father as uncaused being—He depends on nothing yet sustains everything. In the Triad of divine revelation, this name represents the Source Principle: the One who initiates creation, law, and redemption’s plan.
4. Nature and Attributes
| Attribute | Description | Scriptural Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Eternal | Without beginning or end | Psalm 90:2 |
| Self-existent | Dependent on none | Exodus 3:14 |
| Omnipotent | All-powerful Creator | Jeremiah 32:17 |
| Omniscient | All-knowing | Psalm 147:5 |
| Omnipresent | Present everywhere | Jeremiah 23:24 |
| Holy | Morally perfect | Isaiah 6:3 |
| Loving | Gracious and compassionate | 1 John 4:8 |
| Just | Righteous in judgment | Deuteronomy 32:4 |
These perfections combine to reveal a God who is both transcendent (above creation) and immanent (actively sustaining it).
5. Functions of the Father
- Source and Origin – All things proceed from Him (1 Corinthians 8:6).
- Designer and Law-giver – He ordains moral and physical order (Isaiah 33:22).
- Sender of the Son and Spirit – The Father initiates salvation history (John 3:16; 14:26).
- Object of Worship – Believers pray to the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:18).
- Judge and Restorer – He will renew creation through Christ (Revelation 21:5–7).
6. Analogy and Understanding
A classical analogy describes the Trinity using the sun:
- The sun itself represents the Father (source of light and life).
- The light corresponds to the Son, revealing the sun’s glory.
- The heat represents the Spirit, the felt presence and energy.
This image helps illustrate unity and relational distinction without implying that God is material or divisible.
7. Worship and Relationship
True worship recognises the Father as the ultimate recipient of praise:
“The true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:23).
Through Jesus, believers approach the Father confidently (Hebrews 10:19–22), and the Holy Spirit empowers that worship (Romans 8:15–16). Thus, the Father is not distant; His Spirit dwells within His people, making communion possible.
8. Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| YHWH (Yahweh) | The covenant name of God; “He is” / “I AM.” |
| Adonai | Hebrew for “Lord,” spoken in place of YHWH. |
| Jehovah | English form combining YHWH and Adonai vowels. |
| Elohim | General Hebrew term for God, emphasising power. |
| Aseity | The quality of self-existence; God’s independence. |
| Principium Deitatis | Latin: “Fountain of deity”; refers to the Father’s role as source. |
9. Reflection Questions
- What does the name YHWH teach about God’s eternal nature?
- How does understanding the Father as “Source” influence personal faith and worship?
- Why is it important to distinguish reverence for God’s name from superstition about pronunciation?
10. Conclusion
God the Father is the uncreated origin of all reality, perfect in holiness, love, and justice. His revealed name—YHWH—expresses eternal self-existence and covenant faithfulness. In Christian understanding, He is not isolated but eternally related to the Son and Spirit, sharing one divine essence. Believers honour Him as Creator and Father, offering worship to Him, through the Son, and by the Spirit.
References
Augustine (1991) De Trinitate, trans. E. Hill. New York: New City Press.
Baker, D.L. (1995) ‘The divine name Yahweh’, Tyndale Bulletin, 46(2), pp. 211–224.
Fretheim, T.E. (1991) Exodus. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press.
Holy Bible (NRSV 1989; KJV 1611; Hebrew Text BHS 1983).
Tyndale, W. (1530) The Pentateuch. London: Bagster Facsimile Edition.