The Nature of God (2A) Flashcards
To what gender is God consistently referred to in the bible?
Male. he is the “Father”, traditional masculine pronouns are used, jesus is the son of Man and the son of God. He is likened to a human father, providing for his children, disciplining and loving them. However, this does not mean he is biologically male.
Was Jesus always male?
Although clearly a man when he became flesh, before the incarnation, he was “with God and God”, therefore being neither male or female
What two distinct ideas does Gods portrayal as Father in the bible emphasise.
God as the creator and the provider for ther world.
The relationship between God and Jesus being a pternal one. e.g. jesus referred to God as father.
What are some biblical passages that refer to God in female terms
The hebrew term “Ruach”, used to refer to the breath of God is feminine. God is also referred to, in Isaiah, as a Mother comforting her children.
What is the name of Sallie Mcfague, an American ecofeminists book.
Metaphorical Theology(1982)
What are Sallie Mcfagues replacements for the traditional metaphors of God(Father, Son and Spirit)
Mother, Lover and Friend
what did McFague believe about all language surrounding God
It is all metaphorical and only represents what we think about God, not the actual nature of God. By calling God mother, McFague is only characterizing the relationship she feels she has with God to replace the outdated metaphors in the Bible.
What is the belief that to harm the world is to harm God?
Panentheism.
What does McFague claim that a masculine interpretation of Gods image has lead to
Abuse of the natural world and the domination of women.
Why does McFague claim that using maternal images of God leads to
a view of a nursing, comforting, caring God that humanity is reliant on. However, it is female, not feminine terms to avoid traditional gender roles etc.
What are some criticisms of McFague
Appears to go against what Jesus said (calling God father)
To Jesus, father and mother are not interchangeable as jesus’ mother was Mary.
It is unbiblical and goes against tradition.
Define Impassibility and Immutability
Impassibility-cannot suffer
Immutability cannot change.
What is the name of Jurgen Moltmanns book and when was it published?
The Crucified God(1972)
What is Moltmanns issue with the traditional view of God?
The idea that God cannot suffer removes various important ideas from christian theology. After two world wars, the holocaust, and continuing conflict, it is no long theologically possible to believe in a God detatched from his subjects suffering.
What is Moltmanns view of the crooss in Christian theology.
Chrsitianity is an act of “identification” with Jesus upon the cross. Moltmann maintains that Jesus genuinely died upon the cross, and when christians acknowledge that they are acknowledging solidarity with the poor, the marginalised, the oppressed etc.
