Is God male, female or both?

[By Grace]

Amen! Thank you for post.

Was Eve made in the image of God? JLB

I asked this previously,so I ask again (but in a bigger font size and different color)

Seriously brother, why is it that you seem to be fixated in the "gender" of God? It really is a non-issue.

 

[Kaliani]

Does El Shaddai mean 'God of the breasts'?!

I just read that in a book. Is this the accepted meaning of this particular name of God?

If it is then at the very least, on this one thing, women distinctly resemble God more than Adam. Assuming God made Eve in Adam's image, that is.

 

[JLB]

Does El Shaddai mean 'God of the breasts'?!

I just read that in a book. Is this the accepted meaning of this particular name of God?

If it is then at the very least, on this one thing, women distinctly resemble God more than Adam. Assuming God made Eve in Adam's image, that is.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Both the male and female were created in the image of God!


JLB

 

[Free]

Does El Shaddai mean 'God of the breasts'?!

I just read that in a book. Is this the accepted meaning of this particular name of God?

If it is then at the very least, on this one thing, women distinctly resemble God more than Adam. Assuming God made Eve in Adam's image, that is.

Someone is twisting something there.

http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/El/el.html

 

[Kaliani]

'In modern Judaism, El Shaddai is thought to be an acronym for Shomer daltot Yisrael - Guardian of the doors of Israel.'

You learn a new thing everyday. Thanks for the link Free.

 

[Kaliani]

Both the male and female were created in the image of God!

Hi JLB,

This was my understanding too before I read some of the posts on this thread. They got me thinking of this in a new way.

Not that I absolutely believe that they are correct. Just taking a 'what if' approach.

 

[By Grace]

Hi JLB,

This was my understanding too before I read some of the posts on this thread. They got me thinking of this in a new way.

Not that I absolutely believe that they are correct. Just taking a 'what if' approach.

Kallani

In theology, the issue is not "what if". That is callled speculation, and making a god in your ownimage.

Instead, Christians use the "What is revealed" approach. that is because we believe that God did not stutter when He had the Bible written, He says what he means, and means what He says. Speculation leads to chaos, but sticking to what God clearly said brings order.

 

[stovebolts]

To start with:
Is God male, female or both?
Neither. John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;
27So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:26-27

Somewhere within the Us is a female!

JLB

Let's look at this can we?
From Genesis 1, how was the grass and fruit trees brought forth? and God said, Let the earth bring forth... (genesis 1:11)

How about the animals? And God said, Let the earth bring forth (genesis 1:24)

But what of Man? Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Let's look at this verse while we're at it.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Dust of the earth as it was? I thought I was from my mamma... yet I go back to the dust "as I was". Wow, I have a likeness with the earth.

And what of this spirit? It goes back to God... I also have a likeness of God.

So it is simple through the plain meaning of scripture that "Our Image" means in the image of God and Earth. In essence, we are divine dirt clods :toofunny

It's really that simple folks...

 

[Free]

To start with:
Is God male, female or both?
Neither. John 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.



Let's look at this can we?
From Genesis 1, how was the grass and fruit trees brought forth? and God said, Let the earth bring forth... (genesis 1:11)

How about the animals? And God said, Let the earth bring forth (genesis 1:24)

But what of Man? Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Let's look at this verse while we're at it.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Dust of the earth as it was? I thought I was from my mamma... yet I go back to the dust "as I was". Wow, I have a likeness with the earth.

And what of this spirit? It goes back to God... I also have a likeness of God.

So it is simple through the plain meaning of scripture that "Our Image" means in the image of God and Earth. In essence, we are divine dirt clods :toofunny

It's really that simple folks...

Except that it isn't. To say that being made in "God's image" means also being made "in the image of Earth," then all sorts of difficulties arise, including pantheism.

 

[stovebolts]

Except that it isn't. To say that being made in "God's image" means also being made "in the image of Earth," then all sorts of difficulties arise, including pantheism.

Not really Free... Our as in God and Earth. Spirit and Dust.... You are talking about verse 27. I can make a pot out of clay and put it in the kiln. Then I can put color on in and kiln it again. The Pot is made of clay and color and when I can address the attribute of the color separatly than the attribute of the clay, I don't always need the disclaimer that the pot holds both attributes.

God said, "Let US make in OUR image. Up until that point, God commanded the earth to make the "other" stuff.

Our Image... Spirit and Dust. Our...

If you look at the fish in the sea, God commanded the waters to bring them forth. If you look at the trees and plants, God told the Earth to bring forth. When you look at Man, God says, "Let US". Us is a joined effort of God and Earth. I don't see that as implying anything close to a pantheon unless somebody erroneously states that the earth is some kind of a god.

Besides, Solomon agrees with me lol!

What we are missing today is our dependence upon the land. We go to the store and buy what we want. We turn the heat on when it's cold and the air conditioner on when we're hot. Oh, we are still very much dependent upon the land, we just forget it most of the time.

I think you would agree that God created this world with an enormous amount of potential and if you want to look at it from a biblical perspective, is it a wonder that the story starts in a garden, but it ends in a city. That my friend is potential.

 

[JLB]

I asked this previously,so I ask again (but in a bigger font size and different color)

Seriously brother, why is it that you seem to be fixated in the "gender" of God? It really is a non-issue.

Sorry for taking so long to repond.

Just for your info, I did not start this thread, it was started for me.

I see some things in scripture that I refuse to ignore, even if I don't share them with others.

With that said -

I'm not "fixated" with the gender of God.

However, when this subject is discussed, I sometimes share what I see, as in this case.

From your perspective, Do you believe Jesus is the only begotten Son of God?


JLB

 

[wayseer]

If we accept Athanasius' dictum - that God became human that we might become like God - then it follows that God must be both male and female.

I am therefore left wondering what makes such a notion problematic.

 

[Free]

Not really Free... Our as in God and Earth. Spirit and Dust....

God said, "Let US make in OUR image. Up until that point, God commanded the earth to make the "other" stuff.

Our Image... Spirit and Dust. Our...

If you look at the fish in the sea, God commanded the waters to bring them forth. If you look at the trees and plants, God told the Earth to bring forth. When you look at Man, God says, "Let US". Us is a joined effort of God and Earth. I don't see that as implying anything close to a pantheon unless somebody erroneously states that the earth is some kind of a god.

Besides, Solomon agrees with me lol!

What we are missing today is our dependence upon the land. We go to the store and buy what we want. We turn the heat on when it's cold and the air conditioner on when we're hot. Oh, we are still very much dependent upon the land, we just forget it most of the time.

I think you would agree that God created this world with an enormous amount of potential and if you want to look at it from a biblical perspective, is it a wonder that the story starts in a garden, but it ends in a city. That my friend is potential.

Looking at the context of the verse in question:

Gen 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (ESV)

Notice that God goes from using plural to using singular and never mentions that man was created in the image of Earth. This would imply the Trinity, not that man is somehow created in after the image of Earth. Not to mention the difference in language relating to when God commands the earth to bring forth something and when he speaks of creating man. Similarly, we always use personal pronouns such as "us" and "our" to refer to others like us or at least to animals, not to dirt, trees, books, or computers.

As for the story ending in a city, it is significant that there seems to be a garden in the center of the city of God. We end where we began. Also significant is that cities are what men made after being excommunicated from the garden. Man went from living in close relationship with God to living in close quarters with each other; cities are man's replacement for lost relationship in the garden.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

God is not male nor female. we are simply his creation.
if i make 2 robots, one male and one female, does that mean i am both male and female?
when we think of God in terms of being male or female or both, we are bringing him down to our level.
Gods' ways are not our ways. he is above and beyond his creation.

 

[wayseer]

God did 'come down to our level' in the person of Jesus.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

yes he did, and the point is?
what God chooses to do, he does.
i don't think that contradicts what i said.

 

[JLB]

God is not male nor female. we are simply his creation.
if i make 2 robots, one male and one female, does that mean i am both male and female?
when we think of God in terms of being male or female or both, we are bringing him down to our level.
Gods' ways are not our ways. he is above and beyond his creation.

If you and your wife make two robots, one male and one female, because you wanted to create them in your image and after your likeness, then your comparison would make sense.

Otherwise you are just comparing apples to lug nuts!


JLB

 

[Kaliani]

Kallani

In theology, the issue is not "what if". That is callled speculation, and making a god in your ownimage.

Instead, Christians use the "What is revealed" approach.

Which is why I am willing to lend an ear to Christians when they share what they believe God has revealed.

Considering the point of view of CHRISTIANS results in idol worship?

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

JLB, you said "comparing apples to lug nuts"?
i don't follow you.

and Kaliani, you seem to be trying to make Christianity very confusing, which it is not.

if we can't talk down to earth here, then i need to drop out and keep my mouth shut.

there isn't anything in the realms of my intelligence that allows me to answer either one of you.

 

[JLB]

JLB, you said "comparing apples to lug nuts"?
i don't follow you.

and Kaliani, you seem to be trying to make Christianity very confusing, which it is not.

if we can't talk down to earth here, then i need to drop out and keep my mouth shut.

there isn't anything in the realms of my intelligence that allows me to answer either one of you.

if i make 2 robots, one male and one female, does that mean i am both male and female?

You are comparing you, singular with God, Plural.

God is creator, you are a man that must construct something that has no life.

You are not making a realistic comparison.


JLB