Christians: Why, in your belief, was the gender for Jesus chosen to be male?

Question

Was it arbitrary? A "best response" to the patriarchal society of the day (that continues)? Would God's message not have been received if Jesus had been a female?

235: I have no idea. That's why I'm asking the question.

Re: the question of whether I'm saying Jesus was male or not (I think), I'm just asking why, in Christians' beliefs, did God choose a "son" instead of a "daughter"

Sone: The "Trinity" didn't exist before Jesus' arrival, no?

So it is *now* a male entity because that is what it is associated with. However, God could have chosen to send Jesus as a female, right?

If you're stating that the Godhead is male and therefore Jesus as a part of the Godhead is male, I'll accept that.

Answer 1

Are you saying He actually wasn't a man? What is your question?

The "Nuptual" theme is consistant throughout the Scriptures. The story of Gomer, who was analogous to Isreal is a great example. Christ is referred to as the Bridegroom, and the Church as the Bride. Christ is the Son of God. Also, the Scriptures foretold Him as the Son of David who would assume the throne of David. What do you expect God should have done?
Don't be a feminist. It leads people to goofy ideas.

Answer 2

My guess is that the Old Testament prophesies the son of God so that it was meant to be that Jesus would be male. Everything talks about the son of man in biblical terms so I am guessing as well. I think you bring up an interesting subject in terms of patriarchal society. Would people have been open to a woman? If I look at some of the other major deities aside from the Biblical God, you have MANY women acknowledged outside of Christianity as Goddess. I think it was just the form this religion took. Best to you. (Buddhist Yogini)

Answer 3

He had to be male. Only a male could inherit the throne of David. Only a male could undertake certain Jewish duties, including submission to circumcision. Only a male could be Bar Mitzvah when he came to the age of 12. Only a male could serve as the Great High Priest after the order of Melchisedek.
Among the many problems had God sent His daughter instead of His Son, would have been the fact that every month after puberty she would have been ritually unclean for a time. Added to this, she could not have wandered about with disciples and the only death available would have been stoning. No, no, no!

Answer 4

No....if he was female, He could not be the sacrifice.

It was Adam that carried the seed of sin...to be passed from generation to generation. This is also an important point to understand as to why He had to be born of the virgin (so not to have the sinful nature, otherwise, His sacrifice could not redeem all).

But Jesus also defied the patriarchal society and their view of women....look to the woman at the well... to the women sitting at His feet while He taught.... who were the first to be given the news of His rising? Who were the first to see Him after rising?

but to attempt to discount Christianity as Patriarchal...just doesn't hold up when you examine Christ

Answer 5

part of Eve's curse for sinning was that she would be in submission.

Gen 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire [shall be] to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

so by THAT, man became the authority figure. It corrupted God's ideal plan and foundation of this world. But never the less, it is the basics of people now. Because of that, yes, a woman would not have been recieved as having authority over man, and Jesus had to be a man.

But, if we are free from the bondage of sin when we convert, then it is a valid question whether or not those roles are applicable within Christianity.

Answer 6

Maybe part of it would be the society. But I believe since God is referred to as male (Father) and the trinity inferred is most of it. The Old Testament prophets spoke of a Son, so this fulfills prophecy. This would have long been decided before man was created.

Answer 7

through one man sin entered the world, and through one man sin had to be atoned for.

"seed" only referred to guys. sorry ladies.

the Christ was prophesied about as a guy. as He.

a woman likely would not have been sent to the cross. if a woman 2000 years ago went around saying she was the messiah, her parents would've locked her up. a woman would not have a following of male disciples, since they'd all be punished for seemingly flirting. the Christ couldn't be married (it says it in Isaiah and Acts I think. I'll come back on that) and women were manditory to be married. God doesn't decide gender, chromosomes do. a woman would be stoned for insolence, especially for making herself equal with a man.

that just would have contradicted so much. sorry.

Answer 8

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

Answer 9

I would think it was a logical choice given the attitude towards women at the time. I do not think a woman savior would have been taken as seriously as a man in that time period. Though it would have been an interesting twist to see how things would have turned out had Jesus been a woman.

Answer 10

Definitely a relfection of the patriarchal society.

Was the messiah predicted to be male or was that left ambiguous in the old testament? Any female claiming to be a prophet probably would have been laughed at.