Gender is a relevant factor for human beings. It does not simply define a physical and behavioral set of characteristics but also denotes roles in society and the way the world perceive us. In religion, to think of God as being a father or a mother makes gender a very unique matter.

Many theologians, Biblicists, and some experts in women studies speculate the reason God is described as Father is because the Bible was written when society was led by the male-oriented patriarchal culture. Therefore, if any gender is attributed to God it is purely a misconception idealized my humans.

More impressive, however, is the fact that there are people who believe that God is our Father and also our Mother, and claim that there are verses in the Bible to prove it. “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 66:13) “…the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.” (Galatians 4:26)

"The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." (Revelation 22:17)

In the Hebrew Bible, it has been considered that God is not a singular, but a plural being. This is a result of the Hebrew word “Elohim,” which is the plural word for “Eloah,” a term that means God. The word “Elohim” is repeated about 2500 times in the Old Testament, and is translated in English as "we."

Now the question is, why does the Bible refer to God, whom we understand is an individual presence, as “we”? If the fundaments of the plurality of God were true, then verses from the Bible such as, “… God said; Let us make man in our image and our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26), and “So God created man is his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them,” (Genesis 1:27) would make perfect sense grammatically speaking, and would need no interpretation at all.

Then does this mean the content of the Bible has been misconstrued? If so, how does “God the Mother” change what God has promised to humans, Heaven? In searching for the answer, I have come to know of the existence of the World Mission Society Church of God. This church believes in both, “God the Father” and “God the Mother.” It has about 1.1 million registered members, and has been extended to more than 155 countries around the world, including a church in Glendale.

Enoch Chung, a missionary for the church, said, “Surely this age is the very age that a mother is needed. A mother is the mediator who comforts and solves all the conflicts between her children. Many people think that God is Love, then what better love than the love of a ‘God the Mother’?”

Maybe we have underestimated the Bible in interpreting God as only a father figure. Without a doubt, thinking about God the Mother brings forth a new perspective of viewing God, but is it a perspective the world is ready to accept?

Reach Brenda at blflores@asu.edu.