Tag: God

What gender is God? Although I’m not sure how important the answer is in the overall scheme of things, it is nonetheless often debated and speculated.

Here is a smattering of responses to this query:

• God is male since the Bible refers to God the Father (male) and God the Son (male), who came to earth as Jesus (male).
• God is portrayed as male in the Bible because that is how the culture of that day could best comprehend a supreme being.
• God is neither male nor female. Although the predominance of references and inferences in the Bible are masculine, there are also feminine allusions given to the Godhead.
• God transcends gender. As a spiritual entity, there are no male or female distinctions; as the creator there is no need for procreation.
• God is both male and female.

Although I refer to God in the masculine, it is more out of convention and for ease of communication. In reality, I see viability in each of the preceding viewpoints.

While it is not my intent to end the debate with this reflection, I do want to point out an intriguing passage in the Bible, the implications of which are usually overlooked.

In Genesis 1:27 it says that God created man (people) “in his own image,” “male and female he created them.”

That suggests that God is both male and female or alternately that God transcends gender, with both maleness and femaleness reflecting his character and reality.

Either way, this is a profound and beautiful image to expand our understanding of who God is.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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I have Christian friends who are staunch, conservative Republicans. When they read their Bible, they see God as a conservative Republican. They cannot comprehend how anyone who follows Jesus could be or think like a Democrat.

Their views are found and substantiated in the Bible.

I have other Christian friends who are staunch, liberal Democrats. When they read their Bible, they see God as a liberal Democrat. They cannot comprehend how anyone who follows Jesus could be or think like a Republican.

Their views are also found and substantiated in the Bible too.

Unfortunately, both these groups read their Bible through the filter of their preconceived notion of politics, focusing on those verses that confirm their views, while glossing over or skipping those passages that confront their predetermined and intractable ideals.

This doesn’t just happen with politics, either. If we are not careful, this is always how we read the Bible, giving great prominence to those sections we agree with, while dismissing those that challenge our theological expectations and spiritual status quo.

We need to—we must—take off the blinders and cast aside our filters, instead reading the Bible with an open mind, focusing precisely on the parts that don’t align with our preconceived notions and preferences, which are anathemas, and that cause us confusion or even anger. 

It is in truly considering all that the Bible has to say that we will have a chance for real understanding and spiritual growth.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

It is popular in today’s society for people to form their own religious beliefs and define their own personal spirituality.

On the surface this seems right, fair, and appropriately open-minded. It is the epitome of tolerance and acceptance. It is also dangerous.

If I decide that there is no hell, does that mean it doesn’t exist, thereby keeping me from it?

If I decide that doing good things can earn God’s attention and eternal favor, does that negate the punishment I deserve for the wrong things that I do and the need to be made right with the creator?

In a more down-to-earth example, what if I determine that there is a justifiable reason (that is, “extenuating circumstances”) to speed, does that protect me from a speeding ticket or remove the consequences for the accident that I may cause?

Of course not!

Too many people take a bit of this religion and that religion, stir in some popular opinion, and top it off with their logic and self-interest.

The result is not a bona fide religion or cohesive belief system, but false hope in a false belief, which produces only good feelings and nothing else.

In essence, this popular approach is an effort to make God in our image. We forget that he created us in his image.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Psalm 96-100 and today’s post is on Psalm 100:3.]

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
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​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.