Theme 2A: The Nature of God in Christianity

Introduction

• Focus: The concept of God as male or female.
• Key Theologian: Sally McFague, an eco-feminist.

Biblical Perspective on God’s Gender

• Language in the Bible: God is predominantly portrayed with male imagery.
  • Old Testament (Hebrew) and New Testament (Greek) portray God as "Father" and use "He" pronouns.
  • Biblical quotes supporting a male image of God:
    • Genesis: "Let us make man in our image."
    • Proverbs: "The Lord works out everything for his own ends."
    • Matthew: "Our Father in heaven."
    • Mark: Jesus praying to God as "Father."
    • Paul's writings often reflect a patriarchal society.
• Trinity Context:
  • Jesus: Referred to as "Son of God," lived as a man.
  • Holy Spirit: Masculine pronouns in Greek, hinting a male aspect.

Feminine Imagery in the Bible

• Examples:
  • Isaiah: "As a mother comforts her child."
  • Matthew: "Gather your children as a hen gathers her chicks."
  • Psalms: "Like a weaned child with its mother."
• Conclusion: Predominantly male imagery, but God is ultimately spirit and beyond gender.

Sally McFague's Perspective

• Language and Metaphor:
  • Language about God is limited and metaphorical.
  • Analogy: God is likened to things we know but remains ultimately unknowable.
  • Advocates for using the metaphor of God as mother to balance the male-dominated imagery.

Reasons for God as Mother Metaphor

• Cultural Argument:
  • Biblical imagery reflects ancient patriarchal cultures.
  • Modern culture sees women as equals; thus, imagery should evolve.
• Implications of Male Imagery:
  • Promotes patriarchal culture, dominance, passivity, and anthropocentrism.
  • Seen as oppressive and not reflective of mutual responsibility.

Alternative Metaphors

• Trinity Reimagined:
  • Mother: Justice (Agape - selfless love)
  • Lover: Healing (Eros - desire)
  • Friend: Companionship (Philos - companionship)

Challenges to McFague's Views

• Biblical Literalism:
  • Some Christians view the Bible as the word of God, not open for reinterpretation.
  • Jesus and biblical traditions emphasize God as "Father."
• Creation Argument:
  • God as Father better represents transcendence and authority.
• Identity and Worship:
  • Changing God’s metaphor alters worship and identity of God.

Conclusion

• McFague’s Argument: Balancing male imagery with female metaphors offers a broader, more inclusive understanding of God.
• Rebuttals Highlight:
  • Potential loss of transcendence and traditional patriarchal authority.

Key Takeaways

• McFague’s eco-feminist approach highlights the necessity of evolving metaphors to reflect modern equality and ecological responsibility.
• The debate centers on cultural relevance, language limitations, and theological implications of metaphorical representation of God.

Study Tip: Focus on McFague's trinity metaphor (Mother, Lover, Friend) and understand the cultural and theological implications of God language in biblical and modern contexts.