From the beginning till now the entire creation, as we know, has been groaning in one great act of giving birth (Romans 8:22; TIB).
Introduction
We should never be tempted to split God’s nature into ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ characteristics, despite strong historic, social and religious traditions of doing so.
This is because longstanding pressures to uphold male dominance can encourage us to embrace the aspects of God we see as ‘masculine’, whilst downplaying, or rejecting, those we see as ‘feminine’.
Consequences
In male-dominated societies, splitting God into ‘masculine’ and ‘feminine’ aspects tempts us to dismiss the ‘feminine’ as being inherently less valuable and less important than the ‘masculine’. Unfortunately, this has had disastrous consequences for many people’s lives:
-It leads to God being seen as overwhelmingly ‘male’ – an incalculable loss to humanity.
-It encourages the belief that men and boys are inherently superior to women and girls.
-It legitimises prejudice, discrimination, exploitation, exclusion and violence towards women and girls.
-It encourages men to believe they have the right to exercise their supposed ‘superiority’ over women with impunity.
The result has been that women have had to struggle against their supposed ‘inferiority’ throughout history, whilst being systematically denied the opportunities and freedoms which have given men educational, legal, employment and financial advantages.
Conclusion
Sadly, many people still cling tightly to the traditional concept of a wholly ‘masculine’ God.
Others acknowledge that God has some ‘feminine’ qualities, although these are generally considered insufficient to change their belief in God’s essential, overriding ‘masculinity’.
This means that in prayers, liturgies, hymns, Biblical translations, spiritual writings and much beyond, God is still traditionally conceived of, addressed, and referred to as an essentially ‘masculine’ Being.
However, when we grasp that God is One, and cannot be split in any way, all these false social, religious and linguistic dichotomies fall away forever. Then, at last, we begin to see God as God really is.
The LORD our God, the LORD is one (Deuteronomy 6:4, NLT).
We will see God as God really is (1 John 3:2; TIB).
References
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there (Job 1:21; LSB).
The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).
The Almighty …will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb (Genesis 49:25; NKJV).
Who kept the sea inside its boundaries as it burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and wrapped it in thick darkness? (Job 38:8-9; NLT).
Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God (Psalm 90:2; NLT).
All creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time (Romans 8:22; NLT).
Will I, who causes others to give birth, not also give birth myself, says the Lord? Will I, who bestows generation upon others, be barren myself, says the Lord your God? (Isaiah 66:9; CPDV).
For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant (Isaiah 42:14; NIV).
As a mother consoles a child, so I will console you (Isaiah 66:13; NET).
Then YHWH came down in a cloud and stood before Moses to proclaim the divine Name, I AM. And YHWH passed before Moses, proclaiming, “I AM! I am God, YHWH, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abundant in kindness and faithfulness; faithful to the thousandth generation, forgiving injustice, rebellion and sin; yet not leaving the guilty unpunished, calling the children and grandchildren to account for the sins of their ancestors, to the third and fourth generation!” (Exodus 34:5-7; TIB).
