“When Eve was brought unto Adam, he became filled with the Holy Spirit and gave her the most sanctified, the most glorious of appellations. He called her Eve, that is to say, the Mother of All. He did not style her wife, but simply mother, mother of all living creatures. In this consists the glory and the most precious ornament of woman.” ~ Martin Luther
We are only days away from celebrating Mother’s Day. For most people, when they stop and reflect on the life of their mother, they are quickly moved to feelings of gratitude, joy, comfort, and acceptance. There is simply nobody who can fill the shoes of mom. Mom’s provide a sense of peace and understanding that dads, siblings, and BFFs cannot live up to, especially during the most challenging times. Why do mothers have these unique qualities? What is the origin of these special gifts? If they are from God, does this mean that God is as much a mom, mam, madre, or mum as a father?
In today’s theological circles, God is often referred to as mother (Our Mother who art in heaven) or referenced in motherly terms is not uncommon. Have you heard God referenced in maternal terms? Does it bother you? If yes, why? Could your bias be more politically motivated than spiritually?
The Bible has influenced cultures worldwide because it’s the best-selling book of all time, sixty-six books all packed into one. The Bible was written in a masculine style and written in a male-dominated society. Scholars agree that men wrote the Bible, except for possibly the Book of Hebrews, which some argue could have been Priscilla, from the Book of Acts. So if men wrote the entire Bible in a context in which men ruled, and women were to be submissive, servants, and unheard, then it makes total sense why there are zero direct references to God as a mommy, only metaphors and similies.
If God is not male or female but Spirit (John 3), why should it matter if we refer to God as Father, Mother, or Spirit? For many, it’s because of the earthly relationship with their mother. In many instances, the father was a disappointment in the family’s overall welfare and many times absent altogether. Mom served both roles, both the father and the mother.
This reality played out in my house. My mother was everything; there was no father, grandfathers, brothers, or uncles in my life, especially early on. Later in life, when my mother reconciled with my siblings and family from her first marriage, a few male role models became present in my life. I was also blessed to reconcile with my dad’s brother (Uncle Bob) and his family as an adult, significantly influencing my family and me. Still, Momma Long was always the rock in my life. She is the person who introduced me and taught me about God and demonstrated for me what it looks like to love both God and neighbor.
God created both men and women in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-28). It makes total sense then that God would have the same characteristics as both men and women. Referring to these attributes is done throughout the entire Bible, but nowhere does it refer directly to God as mom, mam, madre, or mum. I rely heavily on the maternal characteristics of God because of the influence my mother had on my life. God brings me much comfort, understanding, and acceptance, and I believe these are the maternal characteristics of God nurturing me. God for me is Father, Mother, and Spirit. Therefore anyone extending to me these same spirit-filled characteristics and nurturing effects is my sibling, mother, and father.
I will forever refer to God as my heavenly Father, and for several reasons. First, embedded in my soul is the fundamental idea of God as my heavenly Father. Next, Jesus referred to God as Father and said, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9).” If Jesus said it, then it’s good enough for me because I have a Jesus-centered faith and worship a Jesus-looking God.
Lastly, I know we live in a society experiencing much push back from certain circles fighting for gender-neutral laws, influence, and language, including the Bible and naming God. Many would argue, “who cares, make it gender-neutral so everyone will shut up and get on with life.” Traditionalists have pressed back hard with, “who are you to think you can go back and change the wording in scripture to appease your liberal desires?” “Just because you have daddy issues, or want equal rights for all genders, doesn’t give your the liberty to just change the wording, language, and stories to fit your agenda and comfort zone!” Battles like these have gone on forever, but we are closer now to seeing it come to fruition than ever before. Who would have ever thought they would legalize marijuana in our day, certainly not me, that’s for sure?
Where I am today is to each their own, it will become that anyway. We live in a highly self-centered world where everyone chooses to play God. Unfortunately, when we play God, it doesn’t turn out very well. I had to learn to quit playing God in my own life because it simply doesn’t work. My life has never been the same since I turned my will and life over to God and quit trying to run my life, along with everyone else’s.
I must make this last point; if we conclude, it’s fair game to refer to God as she, then, to be honest, we need to refer to the devil as she too. “Resist the devil, and she will flee from you” (James 4:7). Now some of you are probably laughing and others not so much, but what’s fair is fair. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. If feminine or gender-neutral language is a must, then we can’t leave out the devil, demons, principalities, and powers.
When we start playing with words, it gets dangerous because words matter. Jesus said, “Our father who art in heaven, Hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). Jesus also said, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:48-50). Jesus makes it clear as Christians, we are ONE body, and God is ONE, Father, Spirit, and Son. The characteristics of God include all genders. It’s important to note that the Bible uses feminine language when referring to the Holy Spirit in scripture, especially in the Hebrew text.
Here’s a thought! If we are indeed One, and God is One, then maybe we should be loving God, and each other as One, stop finding ways to divide each other and get focused on helping God usher in the Kingdom of God here on earth as it is in heaven, for the transformation of the world.
We will discuss Kindom vs. Kingdom another day. Still, in short, Jesus referred to it as the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God, as the kingdom not kindom, and spoke about it more than any other subject, so again, if it’s good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for me.
Have a blessed week, and remember your Mom, Mam, Madre, Mum this week.
Great Spirit, thank You for our moms, mams, madres, and mums. Your light shines through the lives of mothers of the past, present, and future. Please help us love as only moms can love. Help us care for others as only moms care for others. We know that not all mothers are created equal, and many have fallen prey to their hurts, habits, and hangups. Please remove any resentment or regrets we carry in our hearts for those lost and fallen mothers. We know that you created all genders, and therefore possess all genders in Your character. Forgive us when we fail to recognize Your whole nature and character in humanity. Bless all the mothers this week, and help us make this the best mother’s day possible. In Your Spirit and Name, we pray these things. May Your will not ours always materialize, now and forever. Amen.
Chris G. says
Very thought-provoking. I like the idea of the she devil. If scripture is accurate in describing God as a being beyond our limited human conception, Then it stands to reason the God represents all characteristics; those we deem as masculine and those we deem as feminine.