JOURNAL ARTICLE CRITIQUE

of

Patterson, Richard D. “Parental Love as a Metaphor for Divine-Human Love.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society 46, no. 3 (June 2003): 204-216.

THEO 525 LUO (Fall 2010)

Systematic Theology I

Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

Neal Price (ID# )

September 26, 2010

Introduction and Summary

In the journal article, “Parental Love As a Metaphor for Divine-Human Love” by Richard

D. Patterson, the author examines the use of the metaphor in poetry and how it may be related to

Scripture and the interpretation of God’s love to His children. Patterson begins his article with

the definition of a metaphor1 and how it is used in the world of poetry to stimulate thinking and

create memorable moments for greater understanding of the subject of which the poet or author

is writing. He begins to look at the uses of the metaphor in Parent-child relationships found in

the writings in the Ancient Near East. Several kings or rulers in the Ancient Near East have

given examples of parent-child metaphors in relation to their deity to the ruler. Patterson not

only gives examples of the rulers, but also includes excerpts from the writings to explain his

points. Patterson then turns to the writings of the Scriptures for further insight on the parent-

child metaphor with God and His Children. He begins this journey by looking at Scriptures from

the Old Testament in regard to God’s relationship with His child, the nation of Israel. The New

Testament is full of examples of the use of this metaphor, and Patterson does an excellent job of

providing these examples and drawing out the truth from the Scripture.

Critical Interaction

Scripture is full of examples of the metaphor of God’s love to His children. Patterson

spends a great deal of time in the book of Hosea to explain God’s love to His child, the nation of

Israel. He explains that even though Israel turned their back on Him and rejected His love, He

was a faithful Father who disciplined them and showed a great deal of patience as the nation got

its act together and turned back to Him. The narrative of the New Testament is very poetic in

nature and the metaphor of parent-child is evident in the way that God showed His love for His

Son by affirming Him openly and strengthening Him in times of struggle. In the conclusion of

2

Patterson’s article he stated, “Indeed, as God's children, because of their union with God's Son

(John 17:20–23; 1 Cor 15:22; Gal 2:20), theirs is a calling to an even higher standard of devotion

and the reproduction of the Father's character in their lives (Matt 5:48; Col 3:12–14; 1 John 3:1–

3; 5:1–5) (p. 216).”

Patterson did an outstanding job of discussing this very important topic. 1 John 4:8b

states, “God is love.” Love is at the core of God. As the perfect Father, it is imperative that the

body of Christ understands the concept of the Father-child metaphor that runs throughout the

body of Scripture. Patterson not only explains this through the use of Scripture, but also draws

an accurate parallel between poetry of the Ancient Near East in the area in which the Scripture

was written.

Conclusion

Richard D. Patterson has written an excellent article that should be read by every child of

God for further understanding of the love that the Father has for His children. Many Christians

understand only that God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son (John

3:16), but that is the extent of their knowledge of the love of God. The metaphors given in

Scripture of the love that God has for His children are very numerous and should be closely

examined. Patterson’s article gives the reader a springboard for further study on this very

important topic. As Patterson so eloquently explains, this parent-love metaphor is the central

expression of the love of God toward His children. As the Father loves the body of Christ, it is

imperative that that same love be shown to others in need of feeling the expression of that love.

In the beginning of the article, Patterson begins to explain the differences of the use of similes

and metaphors. An example of the use of simile in Scripture should have been given to show the

differences in the two commonly used literary devices.

3

Endnotes

1 For an additional definition of “metaphor” and an example, see Thomas D. Lea and David Alan Black, The New Testament: Its Background and Message. 2nd ed. (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publ., 2003), 640.

4