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| Throughout most of history God has been called "Father." Does that mean we should not, or cannot, use "mother" instead? |
God is often seen as our heavenly
father. “He” is called “the man up stairs” in some circles.
But how accurate is that? Is it just a cultural thing that has led us
to calling God “father.”
The scriptures do refer to God as male,
as our father in heaven. When Jesus told his disciples how to pray,
he said to start with - “our father...”
Yet the scriptures are also clear that
God is not male or female, but spirit. When God created Adam and Eve
in his image, it meant he created them with the spirit in them. That
was the image, not an appearance. It also says he “created them in
his image, male and female.” Some people say this means God is
both, or has characteristics of both male and female.
Looking around the Internet I found
several articles saying that we should always refer to God in the
male character. Reasons cited are scriptural references and
tradition. Those that want to argue the other side point to
scriptures that say God is not male or female. There are cases in the
Old Testament as well, where God is given female attributes.
It could be that God was presented as
male originally because males were the stronger and more
authoritative figure in the ancient world. In this way of thinking,
it is more a cultural thing. There is also the idea that in the
ancient Middle East, there were female gods – like ashtera and
fertility gods and so forth – and maybe the Hebrews wanted to
distinguish themselves.
There is no biblical command to call
God “Father,” but there is a biblical precedent for doing so.
But what harm is there if a person
wants to call God “Mother.”?
There could be reasons a person might
relate more to a female god than a male one. Someone who had no
father – raised by a single mom, might not relate as well to a
father figure because he or she didn't have one. There might also be
cases where someone was abused by their father, and would inwardly
rebel against the idea of a male God.
Jesus said we should worship in “spirit
and in truth.” This means both, with our spirits and with our
minds. That means we should strive for some accuracy, but also relate
honestly in our spirits.
The truth is that God is not male or
female. We relate to God in a personal way though, and it is better
to say “he” than “it.” But at the same time, I don't see a
problem with “she.”
The words of Paul, in Romans 14 are
instructive here: Would the “he” or “she” question not apply
here as well?
Romans 14:4-6
4
Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own
master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to
make him stand.
5
One man considers
one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day
alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6
He who regards
one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to
the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to
the Lord and gives thanks to God.
