Why is Feminism Against the Fatherhood of God?

Rosetta Swinton – Systematic Theology 1A -

Pastor Anthony Masala 12/10/2013

Why is feminism against the Fatherhood of God? Why does the Bible call God “Father”?

When we speak of feminism and God, I think we must first define what feminism is before a discussion can take place. It has been interesting to find so many definitions of feminism, but they don’t seem to agree completely on what it means. One definition that
I found online peaked my interest was, “Feminism is a political, social, and cultural movement that aims at equal rights for women. Its beginnings and extreme controversy in a (Western) patriarchal society has created stigma and stereotypes associated with the definition.

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In life the role of the father is so very important to the fiber and life of the home as he heads the family. The father has usually been represented by the male gender from the beginning, with Adam being the first human father. But, today we have an increasing number of single women being the head of many households because of absent fathers. In the world there is also an increasing demand by people for their, “freedoms” and
“rights” to be acknowledged and respected. There are a variety of freedoms and rights
i.e. Freedom of speech, human rights, gay rights, animal rights, women’s rights, as well as increased discussions and debates about the gender of God. These issues have been gaining momentum as we listen to the radio, from television, newspapers, magazines, books and the internet.
In an article about the feminist movement by Johan D. Tangelder in 1990 titled “Women in the Church – a Biblical Study”, he quotes from Women in the Church by Samuele
Bacchiocchi that, “The headship principle,” which means the man should exercise

1

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=feminism

primary leadership and direction setting in the home, in church, and in society in general, is a creational norm recognized in both the Old and New Testament.”

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However, on the ground in real life women are feeling left our and overlooked. Women are complaining that even God is not a man, but a woman.
Tangelder declares in his article, “In our time, many are guilty of creating God in their own image. The current debate over whether God is a “He” or a “She” is a case in point.
Christianity is criticized for being sexist. Feminist theologians claim that the concept of the Fatherhood of God leads directly to the male oppression of females in society.” 3
The debate has been heating up because the feminist have felt like their value and level of importance is being overshadowed by male chauvinistic attitudes and behaviors that render them unimportant. Tangelder referenced that the , The Journal of Ecumenical
Studies suggests that,

“…we must avoid altogether the third person pronouns in

reference to God is to mix or alternate the use of the feminine and masculine pronouns referring to Her(Him).” 4
Tangelder also referred to Sammuele Bacchiocci’s book, Women in the Church. A
Biblical Study on the Role of Women in the Church

...” feminists who advocate

changing the personal names of God from Father, King, and Lord to impersonal abstractions as “Womb of Being,”, “Immanent Mother,” “Life Force,” “Divine Generatirix,” or “Ground Being” are ending up with a God who is a far cry from the biblical and personal God.”5

Since the major Western religions all originated in patriarchal
2

Bacchiocchi, Samuele,
Springs, MI

Women in the Church. A Biblical Study on the Role of Women in the Church, Berrien

3

Tangelder, Johan D., The Offense of God as Father - http://www.reformedreflections.ca/faith-and-life/fe-5-offenseof-god.html
4

5

Ibid.

Tangelder, Johan D., The Offense of God as Father - http://www.reformedreflections.ca/faith-and-life/fe-5-offenseof-god.html

societies and continue to defend a patriarchal world view, the metaphors used to express their insights are by tradition and habit overwhelmingly male-oriented. As Apologists of these religions have insisted for tens of centuries, the symbolization of a male God must not be taken to mean God really is male.
In fact it must be understood that God has no sex at all.6
Some Christian feminists believe that gender equality within the church cannot be achieved without rethinking the portrayal and understanding of God as a masculine being.7

The Bible calls God Father because the scripture informs us to call God Father.
In Matthew 23:9 KJV, the scripture reads, “And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.”8 The Bible has been used as the guide for the teachings and doctrines of God and as a follower of God the
Bible should remain the guide of its believers.

In conclusion it is clear that the many reviews and arguments will continue because there will never be consensus on the Fatherhood of God.
The topic of feminism and the fatherhood of God have been greatly debated and the need still exists for clarification and understanding of both sides of the issue in order to settle the debate. The Bible has been providing for us descriptions of
God which include His attributes, expectations of man and the woman. Though there has been controversy, debate and discussions about the masculinity of
God or whether He is Father is very clear in scripture. The true and living God is
Father. Father God is rejected by the feminist because of their lack of relationship with Him. To know God truly is to know Him as Father. He is the very fiber and joy of our existence. He is the reason we exist.

6

Miller,Casey and Swift Kate, Words and Women, New Language in New Times, Anchor Press Doubleday, Garden
City New York 1976 p.71.
7

Wikepedia, Feminine or Gender-transcendent God

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The King James 2000 Bible, copyright © Doctor of Theology Robert A. Couric 2000, 2003