Fatherhood in the New Testament
The New Testament concept of fatherhood is not as pronounced as that which is found in the Old Testament. However, God revealed Himself as the Father of Jesus, who taught the disciples about the love of the Heavenly Father. According to Marthaler (2007) Jesus referred to God as “Father” approximately 170 times. In Matthew 10:29, Jesus revealed to the disciples that the Father loved them so much and paid such close attention to them that He knew the quantity of hairs on their heads. What a revelation of love! As God revealed His fatherhood in the New Testament, He demonstrated through Jesus that His love for His children was unconditional. Jesus taught the disciples that their Heavenly Father did not only know them well, but He valued them to a great extent. In Matthew 10:31 Jesus pointed out that those who are called children of God are worth more than the sparrows that God watches over. Earthy fathers are expected to emulate the same standards that God demonstrated in Scripture as they relate with their children.
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged” (Colossians 3:21). A father who knows His children well is able to avoid the pitfall of provoking his children against which he is warned in Colossians (Russell, n.d., p2). According to Russell, a father should know his children so well that he can determine which comments or actions would cause unnecessary irritation and conflict. It is the responsibility of the father to encourage his children to live lives worthy of God. Paul pointed out that just as a father would, he watched over the church at Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).
The concept of fatherhood, from a Christian perspective, cannot be considered outside of the context of the family. In 1 Peter 3:7, the apostle urged husbands to love their wives. Dr Myles Munroe (2001) believed that this is a key component to understanding fatherhood. According to Munroe, a husband who loves his wife in the way that he should facilitates the development of happiness that is conducive for children to grow in. In so doing, the father sets an example for the children in the home of what a “real man” looks like (p. 201). In a world where family life is being defined and redefined, there is a great need for fathers to create a safe place where children can see the idea of God for the family unit.
Fathers are to love their children and to accept them just as they are. The forgiving nature that a father is to possess was shown in the parable of the lost son in Luke 15. This father welcomed his wayward son when he returned home. A father who loves his child will discipline him. In Hebrews 12:7-8, the author declared that anyone whose father had not disciplined him was an illegitimate son or daughter. The role of the father in the life of his children is not to condemn them, but to help them to become the functional beings that they are to be. Loving a child includes encouragement, comfort and instruction as shown in 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12. Children are instructed to honour their fathers (Ephesians 6:2). The revelation of fatherhood as shown in Scripture gives fathers a template so that they might earn the honour of their children.