What kind of God do you believe in?

[Radagast]

Another thread made me realise that many people on CF don't worship the same God as I do. Hence this poll.

Clarification: I am talking about before the Incarnation (or, if you like, about God the Father only). Obviously, Jesus is a human male.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Another thread made me realise that many people on CF don't worship the same God as I do. Hence this poll.

God is Spirit. God is Lord Jesus, the visible image of the invisible God. The Holy Spirit is God. I don't know any way for the limited human mind to comprehend God. One day all will be made clear, when the limitations we suffer now are removed.

Since we are limited, God speaks to us and identifies Himself in terms that we can understand. He reveals Himself as Creator, as Father, as Judge, as Provider, as Protector and Healer. God, Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all described using the male pronoun. Introducing a feminine god is drifting into the occult, "Mother Earth", Mary worship and Gaia concepts. My advice is to keep it simple, keep it scriptural and don't go looking for meanings that are not there. We've survived 6,000 years without making God out to be female. I'm sure that we can manage a while longer.

 

[Carl Emerson]

How about a purely spiritual entity with a soul and a physical body like a human, this physical body is male. The Bible encourages us to relate to Him as Father.

You missed that option.

 

[Llleopard]

For about 20 years I called God parent or mother and never used the masculine designation. That was all about me though because I was in horrible abusive relationships and couldn't bear to relate to a God who was anything like a bloke. God was very gracious about it though and gradually got me past that and all my exploring the Goddess and divine feminine ideas. One day a couple of years ago I was driving and pondering the whole God's Gender thing yet again and wondering why it was such a big deal, and for the only time ever I heard an audible voice tell me 'it's not about gender, it's about inheritance'. Which answered all my questions. Nearly crashed off the motorway in surprise but now I'm at peace with God as spirit.

 

[Radagast]

How about a purely spiritual entity with a soul and a physical body like a human, this physical body is male.

As I clarified, I'm not talking about Jesus here.

It would be contradictory for God the Father to be "purely spiritual" yet have "a physical body like a human."

 

[Carl Emerson]

Jesus is God.

 

[Radagast]

Jesus is God.

Yes He is. Please interpret the question as being about God the Father only.

In hindsight, I messed up the question (but I can't edit it).

 

[Carl Emerson]

No probs...

I voted...

 

[Hazelelponi]

God as in God the Father is purely Spirit. He's not human therefore not an entity we can call either male or female the way we know male and female, but there is something about Him that can only be described through the expression of maleness. He is Father, He is male in some inexplicable way, so much so I would go to far as to call it blasphemous to compare His nature to anything feminine, and a complete misunderstanding of God..

But I cant say why either. It just, is...

 

[Peter J Barban]

God, the Father is spirit and masculine, but not a human male.
God, the Son is both a masculine spirit and a human male.
God, the Holy Spirit is spirit but apparently not masculine or feminine.

 

[Peter J Barban]

One might ask, "Does God have gender?" The correct answer is, "Yes, he does."

 

[Radagast]

I'm sorry I messed up the wording of the question.

But I'm encouraged that, in contrast to the thread that prompted this one, all the responses so far are traditionally orthodox.

 

[com7fy8]

You gave us Galatians 4:6 to go with the choice that God is our Father >

"And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!'" (Galatians 4:6)

There are fathers who are very personal with their children. So, calling God our "Father" can mean He is very personal with each of us. And sending His own Spirit into our hearts is indeed very personal.

"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5)

So, this is a basic of Christianity, how God in us shares His own love with us. We experience this. God's love is kind and personal and having Heaven's quality of pleasant rest > Jesus says >

"you will find rest for your souls." (in Matthew 11:28-30)

Our Father loves us by correcting us (Hebrews 12:4-14) so we live in His "rest for your souls" of His love. And we love one another, by helping each other to rest in Jesus. Because our Father wants us to love, like this. And we desire to please Him.

 

[Hawkins]

many people on CF don't worship the same God as I do

That's a statement of self pride. You don't know many to get to that judgmental conclusion in a known to be conservative Christian forum.

 

[Radagast]

That's a statement of self pride.

No, it's a statement of fact.

You don't know many to get to that judgmental conclusion in a known to be conservative Christian forum.

But is this a "conservative Christian forum"? That's what I set up this poll to help answer.

 

[Hawkins]

No, it's a statement of fact.

But is this a "conservative Christian forum"? That's what I set up this poll to help answer.

It is almost impossible in a conservative Christian forum that many not worship the same God as you do!

It is a warning if you ever got to that conclusion or idea!

 

[Radagast]

It is almost impossible in a conservative Christian forum that many not worship the same God as you do!

I've just realised that English may not be your first language.

When I said "many," I meant "more than a few." I did not mean "the majority."

 

[Hawkins]

I've just realised that English may not be your first language.

When I said "many," I meant "more than a few." I did not mean "the majority."

The warning does no harm, whatever you said. Many in English means many, you don't need to be a language expert to tell that unless you are trying to argue equivocally (by attacking one's language ability at the same time).

 

[Monksailor]

Referring to your poll, NONE OF THE ABOVE. This poll, like most, if not all, is blind-sided.

 

[Radagast]

Referring to your poll, NONE OF THE ABOVE. This poll, like most, if not all, is blind-sided.

My bad, no doubt, but can you please clarify what you believe is the CORRECT option?