Icon question from a newbie.

[SuddenlyISee]

I am new here and I chose the icon "church-other" but I thought that was a Christian icon. It said to choose it if "rule 6 didn't apply" to me and I couldn't find rule 6. The reason I chose it is because I agree with the Nicene Creed except for the Father part. I think God is without sex- or incorporating both sexes- and I don't tend to use the patriarchal terminology when I'm thinking about God. I didn't want to mess up your rules, so I just went with that, but now I can't post in the CO section.

I am a Christian, but I go to 3 different churches. I go to Eucharist at an Episcopal Church every Sunday. Following that service, I go to a UU church and once a month I'm thinking about going to a Quaker meeting. I know that sounds like I'm all over the map, but I consider myself a Christian. I wasn't sure which icon to choose. I can request a change after 5 posts so- what do you guys think?

Thanks.

 

[YourChild]

The reason I chose it is because I agree with the Nicene Creed except for the Father part. I think God is without sex- or incorporating both sexes- and I don't tend to use the patriarchal terminology when I'm thinking about God.

Why would you not look to God as a heavenly Father when the Bible depicts Him as the Father. Wouldnt you then, be creating a god that fits your own imagination? I believe this is idolatry. you're making a god of your own. sorry if this is offensive.

 

[seajoy]

Why would you not look to God as a heavenly Father when the Bible depicts Him as the Father. Wouldnt you then, be creating a god that fits your own imagination? I believe this is idolatry. you're making a god of your own. sorry if this is offensive.

I'm with "YourChild." When someone is Baptized, it's in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit...not something else more politically correct.

When Jesus says, "No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6) He means what He says. That's the wonderful thing about God...we can take Him at His word and His promises.

May God bless you in your inquiries about Him.
seajoy

 

[ephraimanesti]

I am new here and I chose the icon "church-other" but I thought that was a Christian icon. It said to choose it if "rule 6 didn't apply" to me and I couldn't find rule 6. The reason I chose it is because I agree with the Nicene Creed except for the Father part. I think God is without sex- or incorporating both sexes- and I don't tend to use the patriarchal terminology when I'm thinking about God.

Thanks.

MY SISTER,

i would point out that your problem with the mention of God the Father in the Nicene Creed is, perhaps, more serious than you believe. Jesus called God His Father and He taught us to pray to "Our Father who art in heaven." Obviously there must have been good reason for this.

i doubt that anyone would seriously take "Father", when referring to God, in the sense that God the Father is "male." The reference is to His attributes and characteristics as opposed to sexual characteristics.

When you start changing things within the Church--things which have stood the test of time for 2000 years--you are on very slippery ground. If the so-called "patriarchal terminology" you are having problems with was accepted and used by Jesus--whom, i am sure you would agree, knew what He was talking about when discussing His Father--it would perhaps behove us not to mess with things we don't understand, but pray about them instead that God would enlighten our understanding and help us to accept that which is obviously acceptable to His Son.

A BOND-SLAVE OF CHRIST,
ephraim

 

[WashedClean]

Hello and Welcome to CF

I agree with everything that's been stated here. Jesus referred to God as "Our Father", albeit our Heavenly Father, not earthly of course.

I noticed in your personal testimony that you actually refer to God as "She". Why would you do that if you don't see God being referred to as a female in Scripture?

 

[EmbracingHim]

I am new here and I chose the icon "church-other" but I thought that was a Christian icon. It said to choose it if "rule 6 didn't apply" to me and I couldn't find rule 6. The reason I chose it is because I agree with the Nicene Creed except for the Father part. I think God is without sex- or incorporating both sexes- and I don't tend to use the patriarchal terminology when I'm thinking about God. I didn't want to mess up your rules, so I just went with that, but now I can't post in the CO section.

I am a Christian, but I go to 3 different churches. I go to Eucharist at an Episcopal Church every Sunday. Following that service, I go to a UU church and once a month I'm thinking about going to a Quaker meeting. I know that sounds like I'm all over the map, but I consider myself a Christian. I wasn't sure which icon to choose. I can request a change after 5 posts so- what do you guys think?

Thanks.

SuddenlyIsee,

Welcome to MC.

Most certainly there is not marrying in Heaven as scriptures tell us and we know that Christ gathers His like a mother hen.

While in agreement with you that human stereotypes of gender attached to roles are not attached in the Spirit...

...we also must acknowledge the fact that man was created in God's image and the woman thereafter taken from the rib of man. In this, I too would have to agree that God is male, despite being in the Spirit...all facts would go against any other belief...even without addressing the superior physical strength of male over female or any cultural or commonly embraced human conditioning and beliefs. God states...'I am' in the OT and while this is significant in supporting a non-gendered God...it is not consistent with 'all' scripture. I completely agree that human concepts of male and female are not the same in Spiritual beings as there is no marrying in Heaven, but to deny or defy the superiority of 'male' as it exists in God -- would not be beneficial IMHO.

It is good to be a seeker. I would encourage you to keep seeking the truth and hold prayer that His light will guide you always.

 

[Jedidah]

I view the word "Father" as being symbolic of how God is towards us rather than meaning God is male. God is our creator, we are Gods children and God cares for us like a parent does a child. I think that's what the creed is trying to get across.

As for the icon change, sure you can request a change after a few posts. There's no post limit on it. The list of available faith icons is available here http://www.christianforums.com/t3303406-please-read-on-faith-icon-changes.html

 

[SuddenlyISee]

This is not idolotry or creating God in my image. Although the Bible was God inspired, it was written by men. Those men were from a specific time and place and put things in terms that suited them. You can tell this by reading the very many parts of the Bible that are written outrightly to specific people for specific social or political reasons. Most Christians will admit that, although not necessarily in those words and maybe without realizing they are saying it. I've been reading the boards here for quite a while and it is admitted all the time when a certain verse is called into question. The men who had their hands in getting Gods Word written down, and in gathering together what would ultimately be considered the only relevant Word, lived in a patriarchal society and it was in their best interest to keep it that way. God, however, being a corporal spirit is neither male nor female- or, more to the point, both male and female.

I was in a Christian cult for a very long time and the fact that God "was a man" was used to keep women "in their place". A place, which I believe, no loving God would want their daughters. Because of that, I relate the patriarchal terminology to that church. It was a huge stumbling block for me. However, during my prayers it was made clear to me that God is not a He or a She. It therefore does not matter what pronoun you use. Personally, I do not like referring to God as an It so I go with She, although I do interchange them fairly often. I find that it is more of a stumbling block with other Christians than it is with Christ.

My issue with the Nicene Creed is not an issue at all. It's a matter of terminology, which is something people are concerned about more than God is. I was trying to tread lightly by choosing the other-church icon for the sake of other Christians on this board. However, it is unfair that I, as a Christian (and even a Nicene Creed Christian), cannot post in the CO section. There are a lot of areas on that side that I would like to be a part of and it isn't right in my eyes for me to be left out of fellowship with other Christians because of my choice of pronoun.

The reason I say that I have to post 5 times is because I can't send a PM to anyone until after my 5th post. So, I can't request the change.

Back to my question- I would like to choose the most appropriate icon. I generally attend an Anglican church and consider myself Anglican, but I am also liberal in a lot of ways and I don't want to offend. Should I go with a non-denom icon or do you think Anglican will be fine?

Thanks.

 

[Jedidah]

There's plenty of liberal Anglicans on this forum. If you attend an Anglican church and think that icon best fits you then go with that.

 

[SuddenlyISee]

There's plenty of liberal Anglicans on this forum. If you attend an Anglican church and think that icon best fits you then go with that.

Thanks. Just wanted to be sure.