Is God male or female?

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.