God(the Spirt) has no form or shape, neither male or female or anything else. Those who believe the Spirit is a male probably also believe if they are good in this life, when they die they will get to go heaven and play their harpl (forever).
(Can you believe -- no lunch breaks!!)
2007-05-23 16:20:03 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The religions, their dogma, and their literature were originally developed when most societies were male dominant. If you write history, you tend to write it 1) as a reflection of your current social beliefs 2) anyway that seems appropriate to you.
2007-05-23 16:24:26 · answer #1 · answered by carmandnee 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is two separate questions:
The English translations use the pronoun "He" for God because the Hebrew and Greek use the male pronoun for him. That's pretty straightforward.
As far as the harp thing goes, that's a different matter. It's a metaphor, of course. Lewis explains it better than I do, though:
"There is no need to be worried by facetious people who try to make the Christian hope of Heaven ridiculous by saying they do not want "to spend eternity playing harps." The answer to such people is that if they cannot understand books written for grownups, then they should not talk about them....
All the scriptural imagery (harps, crowns, gold, etc.) is, of course, a merely symbolical attempt to express the inexpressible. Musical instruments are mentioned because to many people music is the thing known in the present life which most strongly suggests ecstasy and infinity....
People who take these symbols literally might as well think that when Christ told us to be like doves, He meant that we were to lay eggs."
2007-05-23 16:45:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a good point. I as a Scientologist do not consider 'God' female or male.
Just as you as a spiritual being is neither female or male. Sure this body is one or the other but you are you.
2007-05-23 16:26:13 · answer #3 · answered by michaeljripley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the people who wrote the bible and then later translated existed within the bounds of a strongly patriarchal society. God couldn't be anything but "he."
2007-05-23 16:23:24 · answer #4 · answered by Muffie 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
read the Bible and you will find that nowhere is it said She always he and then when you get to the aspects of God it says the trinity God christ and the holy spirit, perhaps the holy spirit is female
2007-05-23 16:24:35 · answer #5 · answered by billc4u 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus called him Father guess that makes God a man
2007-05-23 16:23:39 · answer #6 · answered by Tommiecat 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I say "Thou Arte God", the bible teachs that god is every where and in everything. If god is every where and in everything doesn't that make everything, Including you and I, GOD?
Sorry to answer a question with a question
2007-05-23 16:25:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
So if I say I believe God is a woman, where does that send me??
2007-05-23 16:22:53 · answer #8 · answered by Sunshine Swirl 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Marty,
I suppose since Christ called HIM, FATHER that would make HIM a "HE" in my book. I also believe that "none are good". We must become a faithful Christian and remain so until death.
To become a Christian, we are told that we must HEAR the WORD in John 6:45, Jesus said, “It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught by God. Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.” We are also told so in Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. We are told the we must BELIEVE in Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. We are also told so in Mark 16:16, Jesus said “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” and in John 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. We are told that we must REPENT (or turn from sin) in Luke 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Also in Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent. We are told to CONFESS CHRIST in Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. We are also told in 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. We are to be BAPTIZED according to Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” and Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. We are to CONTINUE to be FAITHFUL UNTIL DEATH according to Revelation 2:10c Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. We also know that Paul wrote in Romans 14:12 each of us shall give account of himself to God. It is important that we not ignore what is written, change what is written, or add to what is written in the New Testament. It is our Christian Guide. Have a great day!
Thanks,
Eds
.
2007-05-23 16:26:31 · answer #9 · answered by Eds 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus taught the disciples how to pray saying.....OUR FATHER.....this is only one example of God being male
2007-05-23 16:25:44 · answer #10 · answered by ✞ Ephesians 2:8 ✞ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋