Last Week we started using the new 40 Day Lenten Journey devotional books as part of our congregation's Lenten discipline. I really like this resource, and I'm excited about being able to work through it during the season of Lent this year.
Having said that, however, I must admit that I was a bit dismayed when I got to the reflection for Day 3 where the author asks the question: "Can we call God 'Mother?'"
What bothered me was not the question he asked, but the tired old argument that he gives for making God neuter. It never made sense before, and it surely makes sense now, especially in our contemporary egalitarian American society.
I'm not simply an old-fashioned male chauvinist, and the issue here is much more than just semantics. I raise an issue with the author simply because the words "Father" and "Mother" mean different things, and they cannot be used interchangeably. Fathers have a certain role in human families, and mothers have a different role. Even the process of conceiving a child bears witness to this fact.
I realize that there are many wounded souls who suffer continually from having had abusive or absent fathers. There are both males and females who have this past. But it is also true that there are many others who have suffered abuse from overbearing or neglectful mothers as well.
In either case, the negative examples should never make the positive use of the word inappropriate. On the contrary, one might argue that when we pray "Our Father . . ." we are addressing the very One who is the True and Loving Source and Sustainer of all human beings, the incomparable Father who should be the model for all human fathers everywhere.
To suggest that we re-write the Lord's Prayer to make it more politically correct for contemporary Christians is outright silly. Where does the revising of the "Lord's" Prayer stop? Should we change the word "heaven" into something else? How about the word "kingdom?" That's a rather male-oriented term also, isn't it? And do we really want "God's" will to be done? Shouldn't we also have a say in what God's goals might be?
I've been on a diet for almost a month now, and I have excluded bread from the menu. I suppose I could leave out that part of the prayer or perhaps I should substitute "low carbs" when I say the prayer each day. And, while I'm at it, I think the forgive part could be whited out, without comment.
And I while know that temptations are not a good thing and should be avoided, my sinful self wonders what I might be missing out on.
I understand the concern the author raises. I wish that he could also understand mine.
On Day 3 of the Lenten Devotional, the author asks the question “But can we call God ”Mother”?” The author does not offer the question to change the wording of the Lord’s Prayer as has been done often in the past. He is suggesting that we address God as a parent who loves us with divine love. In Jesus’ society it would have been totally unacceptable to have addressed God as “Mother” instead of “Father.” As it was Jesus statement of a personal address for God, as “Father” was radical enough.
ReplyDeleteI found the question opened up the compassionate side of God as one who enfolds us in His arms and takes care of us. I have no problem with using the masculine pronoun or term Father for God in fact almost all of my personal prayers begin with “Heavenly Father” but I do acknowledge the fact that this is not so for everyone.
It called to mind verses 13 & 21 from Romans chapter 14: “Therefore, let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way . . It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother to fall.”
Isn’t Paul asking us not to hinder an opportunity for someone else to experience God’s love and grace? If that is through a word like mother than I need to be open to that possibility.