God’s Pronouns - Part 2 - The Rev. Philip DeVaul

Last week, I wrote about God’s pronouns. In particular, I sought to make the point that a diligent reading of our Scriptures would inform a more expansive understanding of God’s identity. This is nothing new: It’s not all that groundbreaking to suggest that how we read the Bible will inform the way we experience God in every day life.  

Sometimes I forget that the influence is supposed to work both ways: That the way I experience God in my every day life should inform how I read the Bible. But this happens and is, I believe, a healthy way to interact with Christian Scriptures. We want to disabuse ourselves of the notion that our relationship with the Bible – and by extension, with God – is a one-way street: The Bible simply speaking and us simply receiving. A thoughtful, authentic, and heartfelt relationship with God in our daily life will change the way we read and understand the texts we have. It is a give and take, not a one-way street.  

Last week I made an argument for a more expansive use of pronouns and gender identities when speaking of God. And as I said/wrote then, I believe there is ample reason to do so based on what we see throughout our Bible.