Definition
Christians believe that God is a Trinity of Persons – the Father, the Son, and the Spirit – who is one God in three Persons. The Father is the Creator, the Son is the Redemption, and the Spirit is the Sanctifier. While theologians have debated the gender of God throughout history, the Bible generally speaks of God in the masculine gender, referring to him as ‘He, Him, His’. This masculine gender reference has caused some to assume that God is exclusively male. But in reality, God transcends gender in all its forms, as both the Trinity and individuals within the Godhead have been revealed as ‘He’ and ‘She.’
Gender Differences in Humanity Reflected in Sacred Texts
Throughout scripture, gender differences between men and women are generally upheld and revered. In 1 Corinthians 11:3, Paul writes that the head covering for women is a sign of the chain of authority – Christ is the head of the church, which is in submission to him. This reflects the way that God instituted gender distinctions in Creation, with man created first, and woman as his helper (Genesis 2).
It is also important to note that God is presented as a father figure in many scriptures, such as in Deuteronomy 32:6 and Proverbs 3:12. While this doesn’t necessarily represent God’s gender, it does reflect the way that humans have gendered God in their attempt to relate to him. As such, refering to God in the masculine gender can help humans develop a close relationship with him.
Gendered Language in Bible Translation
When translating the Bible into English, scholars have often used gendered language to refer to God. This is due to the fact that the English language is largely gender specific – it assigns a gender to nouns, adjectives, and pronouns – and most often, God is referred to as ‘He’. Although this does not mean that God is a man, it does point to the complexity of translating a timeless, genderless God into a language that relies on gender for its expression.
Furthermore, there are some scriptures that use female analogies to talk about God – for example, in Isaiah 66:13, God is likened to a mother who tenderly comforts her child. It is important to note, however, that these references are typically understood as analogies rather than a literal description of God’s gender.
Understanding the Someone-ness of God
At the heart of the Christian faith is the belief that God is one and yet three distinct Persons, each with its own Someone-ness. Each is as distinct as an individual verses another, each sharing the same identity, but with its own special properties. Each of these Persons, while not literally female or male, embodies feminine and masculine properties.
For example, the way God the Father relates to Jesus in John 15 has been noted as a father-son relationship. Yet, Jesus himself was compassionate, tender, and approachable, often referring to himself as “mother hen” to his disciples in Matthew 23:37. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is described as a powerful river in Ezekiel 47:5; yet, one that can gently whisper in John 16:13. All of these images portray distinct gender characteristics and when taken together, reveal a three-in-one, genderless God.
God is Gender Neutral
For many, the gendered language used to discuss God in scripture has fueled the wide spread perception that God is male. But in reality, as noted in the scriptures and throughout history, God transcends gender and is neither male nor female. God is not only bigger than our language but also bigger than our understanding of genders. In this way, God’s “gender” is neither male nor female, it is purely divine and representative of the broader mystery of the complexity of God.
Feminine Characteristics of God
God does not need to be male for humanity to be able to know him as “father”, for many of the characteristics associated with motherhood can also be seen in God. These include a selfless giving love, affirmation, protection, counsel, and a deep nurturing.’ Throughout scripture and religious history, God has been referred to with the pronoun “she”, such as when the prophet Hosea spoke of the Lord as a mother in Hosea 11:3-4.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in Christianity, God is neither male nor female, but rather a being with both masculine and feminine characteristics. These characteristics are embodied in both the three distinct persons of the Trinity, and in the individual members of the Trinity. As such, while God is referred to in masculine terms throughout the Bible, it is important to recognize that this does not mean that God is exclusively male, nor does it imply that all the qualities that make up the divine are masculine. Rather, it is a reflection of how humans attempt to relate to God and understand their relationship with Him.
