The recent comments by Mike Huckabee about Mitt Romney's Mormonism prompted the Mormons to issue this statement:
"We believe, as other Christians believe and as Paul wrote, that God is the father of all," said the (Mormon) spokeswoman, Kim Farah. "That means thatall beings were created by God and are his spirit children." -- AP story, Dec. 12, 2007 (emphasis added -- link to the full story is below)
But what does Scripture say?
"They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." (Romans 9:8)
"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," (Ephesians 1:3-5)
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:" (Romans 8:14-16)
This differentiation is made numerous times; for example, by Christ in the Sermon on the Mount:
"Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:" (Matthew 5:43-45)
In context, He is describing those who are His (Christ's) followers. This is expanded upon in the gospel of John:
"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:6-13)
In explaining the parable of the sower, Christ said, "The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;" (Matthew 13:38)
"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil...: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." (I John 3:10)
Jesus always referred to "My Father" and "The Father" when talking publicly to the Pharisees, etc., never "Your Father." For example, in John chapter 8, replying to the Pharisees, He makes the difference clear:
"Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also...I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father...Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."
"Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." (I John 2:23)