Under the Sun
It’s nearly become cliché for blogging fathers to complain about the popular image of fatherhood. I think we do it so often because we don’t understand why everyone else isn’t also tired of the joke. We feel abused and under appreciated. But this article from New Man has reminded me that this is nothing new:
‘In fact, the God of the Bible stands alone in His embrace of the institution of responsible fatherhood. If you think the portrayal of fathers on television is bad, you need to read the mythologies of ancient cultures and their treatment of “father-gods.”
Everyone from the Egyptians to the Mesopotamians, the Greeks to the Romans, told tales of carousing, irresponsible and violent father-gods who were outsmarted by their wives and children, and who did little else other than wreak havoc on the heavens and the earth.’
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The Invisible Man
Ah, how could we forget Zeus? He puts every bumbling Home Depot dad to shame. The Great Santini is Dr. Huxtable by comparison. Why should I be so concerned about the fatherhood of popular culture? If it hasn’t changed in over 2000 years, it ain’t gonna change. How does Zeus or Ross or Ray Barone affect me as a father?
On the other hand, God hasn’t changed, either. And the Holy Bible is the best-selling book. Talk about popular culture! The fatherhood of God is a perfect model, one which I can admire and follow, without fear of being led astray.
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