One of the strongest arguments FOR traditionalism is the fact that God revealed Himself as a father.

We, egalitarians, object to that by pointing out (very legitimately) that Bible uses both masculine and feminine imagery to describe God.

However one cannot deny the fact that God did reveal Himself as a father, and not as a "father or mother".

My question is: Does the fact that God revealed Himself as a father point to an eternal design?

What if God's revealing Himself as a father is the RESULT of the patriarchal culture?

To elaborate....

After the fall took place, human culture became patriarchal (at least in the area of Middle East). The father was not only taking care of the household and protecting the household, but he was the authority figure in the household. He alone decided who lived and who died, and who could do what.

When God spoke to people, he always used imagery and symbolism that was meaningful at that time.

For example, Paul called all beleivers in Christ "sons" - regardless of gender - to point out that we all heirs, together with Christ. As that culture linked inheritance to gender, Paul applied the masculine term to all believers - male and female.

Is it not possible that _the_ reason that God revealed Himself as a father of his people was merely to convey the sense of ultimate authoirty that the title 'father' carried at that time?

(Oneko)

God also speaks of himself as a husband and a jilted lover. But I think you are correct, Oneko, in pointing out that such words and images were efforts at contextualization within a fallen, patriarchal culture. We need to embrace their meaning and not cringe at their masculine tone. If anything, they provide a corrective to modern notions of father, husband, and lover. Our world and culture are still fallen.

I think we can do this and still celebrate the feminine metaphors and imagery scripture provides about God.

(Dave)