“Our Father” is the source of our being. We may take or leave the suggestion that the use of the intimate form “Abba” in prayer was an innovation on Jesus’ part.10 It scarcely matters, since the underlying Christological point is clear:11 his address to God as Father corresponded to his understanding of himself, and in summoning disciples to call God “Father,” he invited them to enter the position before God which he claimed for himself.
