2006-09-28 19:35:09 · 20 answers · asked by Mere Mortal 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God calls Himself a Father in the Old Testament.
As it is written: "A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?" (Malachi 1:6)
Just so we don't misunderstand, the Hebrew word translated "Father" in that passage is "ab," which is pronounced awb (Strong's Ref. # 1). It is a primitive word; "father," in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).
I think that should at least settle why God is referred to in the masculine.
2006-09-28 19:50:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it wouldn't make sense if he had gender. Think about it, that would imply that he is apart of our biological existence.
Anyway, If God does, however, exist and is by nature not part of any gender then the only answer to your question would be the social construction of his gender. Most societies, if not all, are and were patriarchal. If that is the case and they were worshiping the lord would they not choose to make him a man instead of a woman.
I doubt that they would be able to, in those ancient times, to imagine a god that would be genderless. It just wouldn't make sense to them.
2006-09-29 02:44:40 · answer #2 · answered by SD&RR 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible refers to God as "he" as early as Genesis 1:5... although I believe the original word used for God was plural. "He" being a masculine pronoun causes us to believe God is a masculine deity... but being a masculine deity doesn't mean God is has male genitals. Angels in the Bible are often called by masculine names like Michael... but they too would be genderless. I know women who are masculine in their demeanor... if I didn't know better I would swear they were men. So I think being masculine in either pronouns or demeanor has nothing to with gender or being genderless.
2006-09-29 03:44:49 · answer #3 · answered by atheist_2_u 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Hebrews were the first to worship the one true God. They had a male oriented society so they chose to reveal God as father. Despite that there are many references to God as a female figure. God created us in his image and likeness; he created males and females. Finally, God is pure spirit, no gender involved. God should be formally addressed as Father or Abba, just as he has allowed man to reveal him.
2006-09-29 02:42:53 · answer #4 · answered by Robert L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God should be address has the father he is Creation of human kind and he created the animals also Christ call Him Father
In the Lords prayer it starts Our Father it is motion in the lots of time where God is call father read your or ask a Pastor or Minister of a church they can show you the fact God has a sex and is not an it
2006-09-29 02:50:10 · answer #5 · answered by crazymanca7 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We currently live in a Patriarchal society so everything is named masculine. when it was a Matriarchal society everything was named in the feminine.
GOD knows duality so it doesn't matter what you call it . AS It says I have as many names as there are stars in the sky and grains of sand in the oceans.
Just as long as you reconsise that there is something greater that your selfe that made everything.Is all that is asked of you.
2006-09-29 02:46:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is this RandS you're talking about? Well anyway, we say "He" and "Him" because in the Bible, He has always referred to himself as a male. Plus, He created Jesus, which is Him personified, so obviously He is a male. If God had a preference about His title, He would have told us Himself, and it isn't up to up to change what He wants. Good question though
2006-09-29 02:47:05 · answer #7 · answered by jennabeanski 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally think we should create a completely new pronoun for God that can be used in all languages.
Just my opinion though. "He" or simply "God" works for now I guess. Calling God "It" however implies inanimacy, which wouldn't be a good thing. Capitaliza it? Good question though.
2006-09-29 02:40:23 · answer #8 · answered by Michael M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Called respect! Father God would be good!
2006-09-29 02:41:56 · answer #9 · answered by sher7us 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it is He and Him in english, but Elohim is Hebrew, feminine, and plural for "Creators". Elohim is one of the names of God. Hmm... Good topic to explore. Also, It is a pronoun for things, not beings. Ze is one of several options for gender neutral pronouns ^_~
2006-09-29 02:39:47 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋