WHAT IN THE WORLD IS HAPPENING?  WHAT IS THE TRUE GENDER OF GOD?

In the light of current emphasis on and controversy surrounding human gender, there is also considerable discussion and debate on the gender of God.  As with any subject relating to the triune God, the only reliable source of information is His inspired Word; and the nomenclature (the body or system of names in a particular field) used in reference to God in the Bible is clearly masculine.  Jesus was God incarnate and took the form of a man during His earthly stay and ministry.  And He referred often to His heavenly Father as the source of His strength and inspiration.  When Jesus taught the disciples to pray He began the prayer with ‘Our Father, Who art in heaven’ (Matthew 6:9)

Although God is never referred to with a feminine name or title, the masculine gender is also never promoted as superior in any respect.  Female imagery is used on occasion to illustrate that God cares for us as a mother would for her child, but God is never described as having feminine or masculine features.  Jesus declared that God is a Spirit and must be worshipped as such. (John 4:24)

On the other hand, there are many masculine titles for God throughout the Bible e.g. Master, Warrior, King, Lord, Shepherd and Bridegroom.  That however does not mean that God is of masculine gender.  A Spirit does not have gender – God is The Spirit who described Himself simply yet profoundly in the statement ‘I AM THAT I AM’. (Exodus 3:14)

If there are indisputable reasons for referring to God in the masculine gender they are these: (1) the manner in which God became incarnate in the person of His Son Jesus Christ, (2 ) the language Jesus used in reference to His Heavenly Father, and (3) the consistent masculine references contained in the teachings of the inspired Word of God.  Do we have the authority or liberty to do otherwise?

Do you believe God should be> referred to in the masculine gender?

If not, why not?