The Gender of God: What if God is Female? (Part 4 of 4)

 “The Gender of God: What if God is Female?”(Part 1 of 4).

 “The Gender of God: What if God is Female?”(Part 2 of 4).

 “The Gender of God: What if God is Female?”(Part 3 of 4).

What if God is female?

In retrospect, the problem is the application of interpreted language, tainted by experience, imposing human attributes upon a transcendent deity. Use of masculine or feminine language does not make God male or female; nor, does it deny the need for divine gender perceptions. God transcends gender (linguistically and physically). Physiology and language are not the same, but they work together. Hence, language interpretation is of critical importance. Theologically, God, as father, is important to biblical context and to redemptive interpretation. The language of a divine father or a divine lord is meant to replace – to purify – the distorted image of human fathers and rulers.

 In conjunction, what if that redeeming image can be used to call God, Mother? What if the counseling figure of the Holy Spirit represents God in feminine form? The Spirit of God is a guide to disciples, she is like a nurturing mother. People are baptized with the Holy Spirit, as an induction into the Church. This is their “new creation.” Baptism of the Holy Spirit is ones beginning in the family of God; their birth into the Christian faith (Mk.1.1-13).

Finally, what if God is neither male nor female in physical form, but both, masculine and feminine in gendered language? This is the work of a transcendent God, who is revealed in, through, and beyond the language of gender. God has no organic gender, but God is represented in a dialectal gender. God’s alternate gender dialect is a redeeming gift that has the power to heal the wounds of our tainted gender-language. Truly, this is why, God’s gracious work of the cross is so powerful. Because, people like me (and maybe you) need the love and grace of God.

The Gender of God: What if God is Female? (Part 3 of 4)

If you missed Part 1 or Part 2 of, “The Gender of God: What if God is Female?” 

What if God is female?

Honestly, who would have thought so much complexity could arise from referring to God as he? God transcends gender. There is a theological function and biblical context in the use of gendered language. The Godhead (Trinity) is the basis for reconstructed use of gendered language. Biblically, God is portrayed as Father and by the masculine pronouns. One might contest this hermeneutically (which was addressed earlier in this discussion). One may contend that masculine language for God emanates from a male-dominated biblical culture. Nevertheless, there is a redemptive hermeneutic (interpretation) in this biblical language and it should not be ignored.

In reality, God’s fatherly depiction (when understood properly) is meant to present an alternative image of what a father should be. It is not the distorted portrait of a father that has already been discussed. God the Father is loving, forgiving, just, redeeming, and gracious. God is the father to the fatherless (Ps. 68.1-10). God steps in as the surrogate father to the abused and abandoned. Redemption is the champion argument in favor of God as father. One is redeemed in Christ’s work of the cross (death and resurrection). This is the promise of God.

As the divine, God transcends gender, but it is evident that language is important. What if God is omnigender? What if God is female and male? The Godhead is three persons and one God. The Holy Spirit takes on two forms in biblical language, feminine (Hebrew) and neuter (Greek). But, linguistic gender (he, she, masculine, feminine, and gendered language) and physiological gender (whether one perceives God as a male or female being) are different matters. These distinct definitions have, unequally, influenced the interpretation of divine gender issues.  

The discussion continues, “The Gender of God: What if God is Female?”(Part 4 of 4).

The Gender of God: What if God is Female? (Part 1 of 4)

 What if God is female?

In many Christian spectrums, people primarily use masculine language to describe God. In other words God and the Godhead (Trinity) are referred to as he. Hence my question, what if God is female? The relevance of the question is to illustrate problems with gendered language. If God, the Father, is strictly referenced as he, how does masculine language affect ones interpretation of their faith? If one has issues with their biological father, such as, domestic violence, molestation, or abandonment, they might transfer those issues to their perception of God. This is sad – arguably unhealthy – and can create an anti-evangelistic barrier.

In analysis, what if God is female? Better still, what if God is neither male nor female? God transcends gender. This means that God is infinite and doesn’t fit in the box of our languages. In support of the thesis, I will deconstruct the opening question. Gendered language limits God to the essence of the human forms, which, sadly, limits God. One uses gendered language to understand God. In spite of this necessary obstacle, one should contend that God cannot be female; just as much as, God cannot be male because that takes the issue of gendered language and gives it a new disguise. However, there is theological value to gendered language in scripture, which will be addressed prior to concluding arguments.

The discussion continues, use this link: “The Gender of God: What if God is Female?”(Part 2 of 4).