- Dec 18, 2017
- 15,578
- 10,406
- 79
- Country
- New Zealand
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Married
Just wondering if those who advocate tolerance for same sex relationships partly support their position by viewing God as genderless?
-
Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.
Is the Godhead gender neutral?
- Thread starter Carl Emerson
- Start date
- Jul 12, 2016
- 5,629
- 5,515
- 73
- Country
- Australia
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Anglican
- Marital Status
- Married
I believe that historically Christians have seen God outside of the constraints of Gender. A prime example is the 1st of the 39 Articles from 1562, which is a long way before the acceptance of single-gender relationships.
I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body, parts, or passions; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the Maker, and Preserver of all things both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
Upvote
0
RandyPNW
Well-Known Member
- Jun 8, 2021
- 3,538
- 800
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Republican
I wouldn't be surprised. I know the liberal elements within the churches are advocating for the "proper use" of pronouns. But I heard this way back in the 70s when a friend went to seminary. He is in the Lutheran denomination. He suggested that God cannot be defined as a "he" for obvious reasons, that God is not created. He revealed Himself in the man Jesus, but as the Divine source for this revelation God cannot, by definition, be a "male."
And, I would argue, God is pictured as a "Father" to Jesus, indicating He maintains a masculine image. However, it can also be argued that God maintains a feminine image, as well, because God is portrayed also as a "Mother." Using similes, however, is not the same as declaring God an actual female or mother. SEE
This kind of confusion over the gender of God that liberal theologians tend to stir up is the same kind of confusion Christian gays wish to stir up regarding the confusion of pronoun use, whether for Man or for God. They are, to them, of negligible importance because for them, their notion of "redemption" excludes these kinds of "superficial" distinctions.
However, for the conservative Christian, such distinctions are of great importance. God chose to identify as a male father for a reason and to display his Son as a male son, as well. And true religion would recognize who God is and that He has no chauvinist ulterior motives in this. The bad motives are in those who try to discredit and usurp the distinctions God made and described.
Upvote
0
Paleouss
Active Member
Hi Philip,
I am not necessarily commenting on the threads question, per say. But commenting on your post.
My confusion is how your presentation supports your assertion. I'm assuming your assertion is "I believe that historically Christians have seen God outside of the constraints of Gender." You present the 1st article from 1562 as evidence. Yet, I don't see your point. Further, in the unity of Godhead there is "the Father" (masculine) and the Son (masculine).
Upvote
0
Akita Suggagaki
Well-Known Member
- Jul 20, 2018
- 10,277
- 7,362
- 70
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Catholic
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Others
Upvote
0
Reluctant Theologian
אַבְרָהָם
- Jul 13, 2021
- 767
- 578
- Country
- Australia
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Single
God is not a human being, but a Spirit - so speaking of a gender in technical terms. (which is by definition related to a biological entity) does not really make any sense.
However, we also know that the Son of God is human and male, and we also know that God chose to relate to us as a Father (and therefore not primarily as a mother). That is not insignificant. Of course God has motherly / feminine traits as care, love, mercy - and many Bible verses speak about that. But God is also Creator, almighty, King, ruler, Judge - all aspects that typically and Biblically are connected to and prescribed for the male role.
Pagan religions / idols had feminine deities - the God of Israel is a clear contrast with that. I do see a tendency among people with a gender neutral agenda towards humanity to also redefine God in a neutral way - somehow God being a 'Father' as in the Lord's Prayer is offensive and irksome to those.
However, we also know that the Son of God is human and male, and we also know that God chose to relate to us as a Father (and therefore not primarily as a mother). That is not insignificant. Of course God has motherly / feminine traits as care, love, mercy - and many Bible verses speak about that. But God is also Creator, almighty, King, ruler, Judge - all aspects that typically and Biblically are connected to and prescribed for the male role.
Pagan religions / idols had feminine deities - the God of Israel is a clear contrast with that. I do see a tendency among people with a gender neutral agenda towards humanity to also redefine God in a neutral way - somehow God being a 'Father' as in the Lord's Prayer is offensive and irksome to those.
Upvote
0
RonJohnSilver
Active Member
God the Father ... male.
Jesus the Son ... male
Holy Spirit ... Hebrew constructs use both masculine and neutral words, but He is referred to as, well, He. I going with male for all three. As for the original question about supporting same sex couples. Those who support that do not understand or believe the clear teachings of the Bible. As it says in Romans, they "refuse" to accept the truth.
Jesus the Son ... male
Holy Spirit ... Hebrew constructs use both masculine and neutral words, but He is referred to as, well, He. I going with male for all three. As for the original question about supporting same sex couples. Those who support that do not understand or believe the clear teachings of the Bible. As it says in Romans, they "refuse" to accept the truth.
Upvote
0
- May 28, 2018
- 14,295
- 6,379
- 69
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Reformed
- Marital Status
- Widowed
Wrong. There is a lot of overlap of qualities between masculine and feminine. In fact, many characteristics of what is purported to be masculine as countering feminine is false.
Consider, if you would, the fact that both male and female are members of the Bride of Christ.
I can't speak for them, but the fact is rather obvious, that male humans and animals are just another masculine thing. 'Masculine', in my opinion, is defined by God, and not by males, though we naturally go there, being by nature temporal and humanocentric. If males are masculine, God is super-masculine.
Upvote
0
- Nov 21, 2008
- 53,381
- 11,922
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- SDA
- Marital Status
- Married
Not sure if one has to be a male gendered God to know what the Bible says about same sex relationships. God is spirit those that worship HIM must worship HIM in Spirit and in truth. But not as "male gendered" as if we need God to procreate. He is the Creator - He does not need to "procreate". When a hurricane is given a male name does it make the hurricane have a real biological gender?
If not -- how does that in any way relate to same sex relationships among humans??
Upvote
0
Lost Witness
Ezekiel 3:3 ("Change")
- Nov 10, 2022
- 1,751
- 1,035
- 40
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Single
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Genesis 1:26
Just wanted to contribute.
Just wanted to contribute.
Last edited:
Upvote
0
Margaret3110
Active Member
- Feb 27, 2020
- 375
- 341
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
- Faith
- Anglican
- Marital Status
- Married
My opinion: God is beyond male and female and can be said to encompass both in some sense (being the creator of both), however, he has revealed himself to us using predominantly masculine language. Also Jesus is male and taught us to call God "Father". In light of this, it would disrespectful and theologically dangerous, I think, to use female pronouns for God.
Edited to add - but yes, I have heard the argument made that God is genderless and therefore everything goes.
Edited to add - but yes, I have heard the argument made that God is genderless and therefore everything goes.
Upvote
0
Lost Witness
Ezekiel 3:3 ("Change")
- Nov 10, 2022
- 1,751
- 1,035
- 40
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Single
The LORD does reproduce,
or else No man could be a Child of God
the LORD is a spirit and all those who are born of the spirit are his offspring.
Upvote
0
Akita Suggagaki
Well-Known Member
- Jul 20, 2018
- 10,277
- 7,362
- 70
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Catholic
- Marital Status
- Married
- Politics
- US-Others
Point conceded.
Back to OP, in my opinion, speaking of a gendered God is over anthropomorphizing and taking Bible too literally.
Upvote
0
Divide
Well-Known Member
- Apr 19, 2017
- 2,577
- 1,230
- 63
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Single
Let's see now, gender and procreation are both attributes of the flesh, bioogical. God is a Spirit, and He doesn't have to procreate to create life. I heard a testimony one time about someone got to go visist the Throne room, and they said that when God the Father breathes, each exhale of His brings forth a new spirit.
I'm still chewing on that one but that's what was said.
Upvote
0
Margaret3110
Active Member
- Feb 27, 2020
- 375
- 341
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
- Faith
- Anglican
- Marital Status
- Married
Depends on how you mean it. God reveals himself in anthropomorphic terms. That's what we're able to understand. Obviously God is not gendered in the way human beings are.
Upvote
0
Divide
Well-Known Member
- Apr 19, 2017
- 2,577
- 1,230
- 63
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Single
1 John 3:2
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Upvote
0
Similar threads
