Calmly, quietly, and infrequently, i write what comes to mind and share only what might be helpful to others.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Male or Female?

I remain mystified by much of life. One pondering in particular that I can never rectify: God is supposedly genderless but he made us male and female. There is plenty written on this matter, I know. Some say God isn't genderless, rather he's male -- dominant, strong, even violent. And if you question that, just read the Bible -- God is a HE! Others say she's female -- caring, compassionate, nurturing. Others say something like "God created us in the image of God and couldn't put all of God into one of us, so we are made into two of us; that's why we aren't complete until we find a mate." (Pretty much leaves singles always incomplete.) Still others see God as transcending gender somehow, that asking "Is God male or female?" is a false choice, like asking "Will the next President be an independent or a communist?"

Now I'm fully aware of the biblical imagery and descriptions of the church as the bride of Christ. This would definitely make Jesus the Christ male and us female. Well, I'm not female, so what do I do with that?

Admittedly, I usually ponder this question after my wife and I have had a less than admirable run at getting along, as in "Why did he make us so different?!" For this pondering round, we've just returned from a wonderful weekend getaway. Strangely, I find myself wondering again, "What's up with God making US male and female while he seems to remain neutral or at least leaves a female out of the heavenly threesome?"

It just seems strange and gets stranger when I throw human sexuality into the equation. Is there such a thing as heavenly sexuality? Musings from a happily married and happily confused male.