H2O Church
Deepen
This is a series intended to take us deeper into the Christian faith.
Locations & Times
H2O Church
100 S Eola Dr, Orlando, FL 32801, USA
Sunday 8:00 AM
Today I want to speak about the female imagery of God.
3 images from Scripture: a birthing mom, a nursing mom, and a weaning mom.
Let’s talk about images. Images are meant to evoke a visceral response. It’s designed to get past our intellect and touch us somewhere deep.
Images of God from Scripture include: King, Judge, Warrior, Husband, Father, as well as these 3 images we’re going to discuss.
IMAGE ONE—THE BIRTHING MOM
3 images from Scripture: a birthing mom, a nursing mom, and a weaning mom.
Let’s talk about images. Images are meant to evoke a visceral response. It’s designed to get past our intellect and touch us somewhere deep.
Images of God from Scripture include: King, Judge, Warrior, Husband, Father, as well as these 3 images we’re going to discuss.
IMAGE ONE—THE BIRTHING MOM
How does this inform our understanding of salvation; “I accepted Christ”?
IMAGE TWO-THE NURSING MOM
IMAGE TWO-THE NURSING MOM
These images are meant to convey God’s nurture, affection, security, delight, compassion, and bondedness
Brief Tangent on Gender:
“From eternity, God has not had a physical body and, therefore, he doesn’t have male features: facial hair, musculature, male genitals, no Y chromosome, no male hormones. Male is a biological word, and God is not a biological being” John Piper
Yet, Scripture uses both male and female imagery to reveal what God is like. “Male” and “female” are the biological, in-flesh images of the eternal God. God is neither biologically male nor female, yet as the Creator of gender, is both masculine and feminine.
Disclaimers
I am not saying God is a woman.
I am not suggesting we use feminine pronouns to refer to God.
I am not to replace images of God as King, Warrior, Judge.
IMAGE THREE-THE WEANING MOM
Brief Tangent on Gender:
“From eternity, God has not had a physical body and, therefore, he doesn’t have male features: facial hair, musculature, male genitals, no Y chromosome, no male hormones. Male is a biological word, and God is not a biological being” John Piper
Yet, Scripture uses both male and female imagery to reveal what God is like. “Male” and “female” are the biological, in-flesh images of the eternal God. God is neither biologically male nor female, yet as the Creator of gender, is both masculine and feminine.
Disclaimers
I am not saying God is a woman.
I am not suggesting we use feminine pronouns to refer to God.
I am not to replace images of God as King, Warrior, Judge.
IMAGE THREE-THE WEANING MOM
Take-aways
1. We’re invited to image God through the feminine imagery of Scripture alongside masculine imagery.
2. Through this feminine imagery, we’re invited to expand the greatness of God, and move out of despondency into trust.
3. To women: you are called to live out of an identity built on being nothing less than the image of God.
4. Hopefully, we are all better equipped to exude empathy, nurture, and gentleness toward each other.
Questions to Ponder
What image (king, warrior, judge, father, husband, nursing mom) do you connect with most? Why do you think that is? How can expanding your image of God enable you to see as God as bigger? Where specifically in your life do you sense the need for greater empathy, nurture, gentleness toward others?
Resources
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/our-mother-who-art-in-heaven
1. We’re invited to image God through the feminine imagery of Scripture alongside masculine imagery.
2. Through this feminine imagery, we’re invited to expand the greatness of God, and move out of despondency into trust.
3. To women: you are called to live out of an identity built on being nothing less than the image of God.
4. Hopefully, we are all better equipped to exude empathy, nurture, and gentleness toward each other.
Questions to Ponder
What image (king, warrior, judge, father, husband, nursing mom) do you connect with most? Why do you think that is? How can expanding your image of God enable you to see as God as bigger? Where specifically in your life do you sense the need for greater empathy, nurture, gentleness toward others?
Resources
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/our-mother-who-art-in-heaven