Question on the divine femenine.

I was recently in a rather interesting discussion on the topic of the divine femenine. The premise presented to me, was that the Holy Spirit was the female entity of God, known as Sophia (based upon the Greek for wisdom). Before I go on, however, allow me to clarify that, the idea of a Sophia is utter heresy, and I do not ascribe to it in the least. However, the discussion did bring up some interesting points.

In the book of Genesis, during the very famous account of creation, the Word states quite clearly that humans, both male and female, are made in the image of God. Also, the book of Proverbs often makes reference to wisdom, an undeniably God-given trait, in the femenine, always taking a femenine pronoun in reference to it. Some use this as a basis for the Sophia myth. While I wholeheartedly agree with both premises, I believe that the conclusion strays from any believable deduction and too far into unorthodoxy.

The Creation account gives us an excellent view into the nature of God, for by knowing that He made us in His image, we are able to learn much about Him. While I would feel it safe to say that there are certian femenine and masculine traits which God posesses, I believe that to ascribe a certian gender (be it femenine or masculine) to Him, is to greatly limit God in ways that he cannot be limited.

When looking at God, one must remember that it is we who are created in His image, and not the other way around. Therefore if we recall that it is both male and female who are made in his image, one can hardly say that God is either male or female. Some would use this to say that God is both, however I feel it more accurate to say that He is neither. Gender is a physical characteristic, and God, being above such bodily limitations, cannot be confined to such boundries.

Some proponents of God's masculinity argue that He is always referred to in the masculine in Scripture, and called Father. My answer to this, is that in speaking to humans through Scripture, God, being all knowing and trying to impart understanding to we who are considerably less than all knowing, must speak in words and images we can understand. This can be best illustraited by Christ's use of parables. Since humans are limited in understanding to that which we have seen and experienced, God speaks to us on our terms. While the image of some great omnisient, omnipresent being can be a difficult thing to grasp, the image of a loving Father is one more readily recieved into our imaginations, not to mention that it well personifies the relationship God wants to have with us. It is, at least in some small way, similar to when I refer to my Abbot as "Father". While is of no blood relation to me, he still takes the role of my spiritual father and guide. Just as my birth father guided and supported me while I grew up, so does my spiritual father lead me on the path of my spiritual development. How much moreso then, should God be our Father, who is our Guide and Support in all things? It is not a question of gender, but a question of His relation to us and ours to Him.

So if we agree that God may have certian traits that are masculine and certian that are femenine, how do we know which of these traits he posesses? That answer is rather simple. All that is good, comes from God. Any good that exists in me, is not of myself, but of God. This is true of any man or woman. Therefore, all that is good, of both genders, if of God. So take no pride in yourself, thinking that your masculinity or femeninity (whatever the case may be) gifts you to some rank or prestige, for nothing good comes of man (or woman). Also let not your gender be a source of shame or disgrace, for that too, is of God. And most imporantly, know that no matter who you are, reguardless of gender, race or social status, God understands you fully and completely in His perfect love. Amen.

Vincent Christian