Parental Image and the Concept of God: An Evangelical Protestant—Catholic Comparison

Abstract

The study investigated similarities between the concept of Cod and the image of the parents in evangelical Protestants. The results were then compared with a previous study done with Catholic subjects. The study found that among evangelicals the image of God was rated equally high on maternal and paternal items. This suggests that God is perceived as a well integrated parental image by evangelicals. When compared with Catholics, it was found that evangelicals perceived God as more maternal. The possible effects of the Mother Mary figure on the divine image as an explanation for this difference are considered. Furthermore, it was found that evangelicals also perceived God as more paternal than did Catholics. It is suggested that this indicates that evangelicals understand God as a parental figure while Catholics perceive Him as an institutional figure. Implications are drawn for Christian education in both the church and home.