Studied by 5 people
Eduqas RE A level Christianity- Can God be male?
What is God actually?
God does not exist in a form, He is neither male nor female, He is formless- TTWNGCBC Anselm.
What was Jesus before he became God incarante?
John 1:1 ‘the Word (Logos) was with God and was God.‘
Where did the title Father come from?
God as creator
God’s loving kindness
Where did God’s loving kindness come from?
Through Jesus, who call God Father and encourages others to do the same.
This creates a personal and approachable relationship between God and his followers.
Evidence where God is not seen as male nor female
John 4: 24 ‘God is spirit’
Genesis 1:27 ‘male and female he created them‘
since we are in His image
Galatians 3:28 (St Paul’s epistle) ‘there is no longer male and female, for you are all one in Christ.‘
What is the problem of using male language?
Men may feel more glorified- patriarchal
Can confuse people’s idea of God
Anthropomorphism- to attribute human qualities
What do some theologians like doing instead?
Use more inclusive language- liberal Christians
Such as instead of Father, they would use parent.
Hosea 13:8 God described as a mother bear
Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack and tear them asunder
Deuteronomy 32:11-12 God described as a mother eagle
Like the eagle that stirs up its nest… God spreads wings to catch you
Isaiah 66:13 God as a comforting mother
As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you
What did the Isaiah, Deuteronomy and Hosea quotes have in common?
They were all describing God as female, are comparisons and are imagery.
What was the controversy with bronze statue Christa at St John the Divine Cathedral?
It was built by Edwina Sandys.
‘I wanted to portray the suffering of women‘- she wished for it to appeal to both men and women.
Overtime it began losing members of the church since the statue was made.
What is an ecofeminist?
A person who advocates for the protection of the environment and the promotion of gender equality.
What did Sally McFague argue?
In Metaphorical Theology: Models of God in Religious Language, she says all language about God is metaphorical- we often worship the metaphor as an idol.
She says metaphors are outdated and we need to create new ones to understand God in a meaningful way today.
What is Mcfagues new trinity?
Mother, lover and friend
What is the doctrine, ethical element and type of love, linking to Mother?
Doctrine of creation
Ethical element of justice
Agape (selfless love)
What is the doctrine, ethical element and type of love, linking to Lover?
Doctrine of salvation
Ethical element of healing
Eros (desire)
What is the doctrine, ethical element and type of love, linking to Friend?
Doctrine of eschatology
Ethical element of companionship
Philia love (companionship)
What does McFague say about the use of masculine language for God’s unilateral, sovereign rule?
Led to abuse of the environment and patriarchal domination over women.
Define Panentheism
The belief that the universe is a visible part of God.
So God as mother would make more sense because the world becomes part of God’s body, so to harm nature is to harm God.
What does Mcfague argue about using birthing and nursing metaphors about God?
Highlights humanity’s complete reliance on God- Aquinas’ second way: efficient and cause
What does Mcfague highlight about God with using feminine terms?
We should not see God as female but in feminine terms.
The first refers to ____ whilst the second refers to ______ associated with _______.
The first refers to gender whilst the second refers to qualities associated with women.
What should we not do with the maternal image of God?
sentimentalise it
What does the metaphor of God as mother show?
Basic things a mother does: give birth, nurse and protect the young.
A quote for God as mother and creator
Characteristics of gestation, birth and lactation
A quote of God as a mother who defends
God as mother… to the active defense of the young
Shows how mothers do not act weak since animals in the wild act defensive to the young,, hence showing toughness.
A quote for God as mother and judge
God is angry because what comes from her being and belongs to her lacks the food and necessity to grow and flourish.
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