Why is god called a "he"?

[Motherofkittens]

This is a sincere question. Why is god called a "he"? Does he have male private parts? Does he have testosterone? What about females? Is he half male half female?

If you say we are not made physically in gods image, just our consciences is than why is he called a "he"?

 

[ToBeLoved]

Nm
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God refers to Himself as a male. Not a human, but a male. This probably goes back to God creating Adam first and then woman from the man.

That being said, there are only two choices.

It would be odd though if God referred to Himself as a female because God put the headship of the female behind the male, so God being all powerful and with no one before Him, it would confuse if He had said female, but He doesn't.

 

[Motherofkittens]

God refers to Himself as a male. Not a human, but a male. This probably goes back to God creating Adam first and then woman from the man.

That being said, there are only two choices.

It would be odd though if God referred to Himself as a female because God put the headship of the female behind the male, so God being all powerful and with no one before Him, it would confuse if He had said female, but He doesn't.

But why male? And what are females made after?

 

[JackRT]

Our scriptures emerged out of an extremely patriarchal society so what else could you expect. I grew up in a traditional Christian culture so God as Father was quite natural to me. However, I no longer think of God in patriarchal or even in theistic terms. Human terms like mother or father simply do not apply to my transcendant God. However God as Father or God as Mother can be a very comforting way of thinking of God so who am I to object?

 

[CrystalDragon]

This is a sincere question. Why is god called a "he"? Does he have male private parts? Does he have testosterone? What about females? Is he half male half female?

If you say we are not made physically in gods image, just our consciences is than why is he called a "he"?

I think it's because throughout history the males have been seen as the head of the tribe/group/household/government. So though God is Spirit and thus technically doesn't have a gender in the way we think of it (though must have both male and female traits if both were created that way in the image of God) people have referred to God as male because "it" is more for objects and "they" denotes usually a plurality that could be mistaken for polytheism.

 

[ToBeLoved]

But why male? And what are females made after?

I think you would have to ask God exactly. I would do that.

There could be many reasons for God referring to Himself as male. God calls the male as the spiritual head of the family. Christ calls Himself the Bridegroom and His church the bride.

Christ is the firstborn of all things, Adam is the firstborn of human creation. There are just too many parralels to consider and none as far as I know, completely answer the question, but I think it is related to God being the Only. As in there is none before Him, nor will there ever be any God after Him. He is the I AM. Alpha and Omega. Beginning and the End.

Don't try to figure this one out. This is something we will one day have to ask God in person.

 

[ToBeLoved]

I think it's because throughout history the males have been seen as the head of the tribe/group/household/government. So though God is Spirit and thus technically doesn't have a gender in the way we think of it (though must have both male and female traits if both were created that way in the image of God) people have referred to God as male because "it" is more for objects and "they" denotes usually a plurality that could be mistaken for polytheism.

It is more than that though. Because if we believe that scripture is God-breathed, then God has referred to Himself as male, so this is not a societal thing. God refers to Himself as such.

 

[-57]

But why male? And what are females made after?

Originally....Adams rib.

 

[-57]

Wasn't Jesus born of a virgin woman? Didn't the Holy Spirit supply the male part of the pregnancy?

God is Abba, daddy, father.

 

[Tree of Life]

Our scriptures emerged out of an extremely patriarchal society so what else could you expect. I grew up in a traditional Christian culture so God as Father was quite natural to me. However, I no longer think of God in patriarchal or even in theistic terms. Human terms like mother or father simply do not apply to my transcendant God. However God as Father or God as Mother can be a very comforting way of thinking of God so who am I to object?

So "father" or "mother" does not apply to God. But "father" and "mother" are an acceptable way to think about God?

 

[JackRT]

It is more than that though. Because if we believe that scripture is God-breathed, then God has referred to Himself as male, so this is not a societal thing. God refers to Himself as such.

Or, what I think far more likely is that the human authors of scripture, being in a thoroughly patriarchal society, thought of God as Father and wrote that into their document.

 

[HereIStand]

Good question. This a good article. Also, Deuteronomy 4:15-19 is a good reference. In this passage, God reminds His people that "you saw no form on the day that the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire." Hence, the warning to not fashion a "carved image for yourselves, in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female."

 

[JackRT]

So "father" or "mother" does not apply to God. But "father" and "mother" are an acceptable way to think about God?

Yes.

 

[ToBeLoved]

Or, what I think far more likely is that the human authors of scripture, being in a thoroughly patriarchal society, thought of God as Father and wrote that into their document.

Not if scripture is God-breathed which scripture says it is.

So I disagree.

And let's not argue the point because you will not change my mind. I am firm on that.

 

[Aryeh Jay]

God refers to Himself as a male.

Where does God do that in the Bible?

 

[ToBeLoved]

Where does God do that in the Bible?

I'll give you one quick one since this is Jesus talking directly about the Father and Holy Spirit, but look anywhere in the Bible.

And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever”

 

[Tree of Life]

Yes.

Those two propositions seem incompatible. How do you reconcile them?

 

[Aryeh Jay]

I'll give you one quick one since this is Jesus talking directly about the Father and Holy Spirit, but look anywhere in the Bible.

And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever”

Thanks.

 

[Gene Parmesan]

Yahweh was created by the same group of people that treated women as property. It is hardly surprising they made Him male.

 

[CrystalDragon]

Not if scripture is God-breathed which scripture says it is.

So I disagree.

And let's not argue the point because you will not change my mind. I am firm on that.

Thing is, it's circular reasoning if you look at it like that, "the Bible is God-breathed because it says it is".

Also, why is it that when people say that the Bible is "inspired by God" they give "inspired" a completely different meaning in comparison to any other context in which the word "inspired" is used.