—OBJECTION: God is a woman. Patriarchy has caused people to think otherwise.
—RESPONSE: First, God is a Spirit (Jn 4:24). That’s clear from Scripture. As such, God does not possess the same limitations as us, and God has some degree of other-ness (i.e., distinct from creation).
Second, God is revealed in Scripture as Father (אָב / πατήρ. Isa. 63:16 / Jn. 1:14). The word for mother (אִם / μήτηρ) could have been used in texts like these, but in God’s divinely orchestrated revelation to man, they weren’t.
Third, Jesus, who is God and second person in the Trinity, came to earth in the likeness of man (1 Tim. 2:5; Phil. 2:7), and He declared Himself the “Son of Man” (Mt. 8:20; 9:6). Not only that, but He frequently identified the paternal nature of God to others in John’s Gospel.
I know this is popular thinking–i.e., to attribute human failings to patriarchal influence. However, we cannot ascribe whatever attributes we want to God, and that not only refers to gender ideas but all concepts and feelings of what we want. That’s idolatrous and pagan. God has revealed Himself in Scripture using masculine language and pronouns. He is mentioned in the New Testament alone as “Father” more than 200 times. This should not be cause for any “gender wars” nor is this an attempt to oppress anyone. God the Father is loving, just, and compassionate, and these attributes far exceed any earthly father we’ve ever encountered. He is the Creator of all things, and in His goodness, He has graciously revealed Himself through the Scriptures; we should worship Him accordingly.
If you need help, check out this link: The Good Person Test.
#MMApologist #SoliDeoGloria #SolusChristus
