Today, I read that the Church of Sweden is urging its clergy to use gender-neutral wording when referring to God. According to Archbishop Antje Jackelen, the decision comes as a way to utilize a more inclusive language.
Why is this a big deal? This is a big deal because when it comes to discussing God, details matter. If we (the Church) abandon the use of specific language in reference to God, we risk failure to discuss the true God. The Bible is specific in its description of God, therefore, God’s people must also be specific in language about the Almighty.
Archbishop Jackelen justifies the Church’s move by saying, “Theologically, for instance, we know that God is beyond our gender determinations, God is not human.” Within her statement, Archbishop Jackelen reveals how quickly using non-specific terms about God lead to untruth.
God is not like humans in that He is holy and set apart from His creation. He is not a created being but the eternal, creator of all things. But the second Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, is very much human. In fact, Jesus Christ is not only human, He is also male.
A denial of the humanity of Jesus Christ is a grave theological mistake. The Bible calls such a mistake deceptive and antichrist teaching (II John 1:7). This is why the Church must refer to God in specific, Biblical terms. Failure to do so is a failure to present the real God to the world.
If Archbishop Antje Jackelen does not believe in the Biblical Jesus Christ, perhaps she feels at liberty to represent Him however she chooses. But believers must be careful to follow, worship and proclaim only the authentic, Biblical Jesus. Anything more or less is idolatry and heresy.
- Pastor Randy
Why is this a big deal? This is a big deal because when it comes to discussing God, details matter. If we (the Church) abandon the use of specific language in reference to God, we risk failure to discuss the true God. The Bible is specific in its description of God, therefore, God’s people must also be specific in language about the Almighty.
Archbishop Jackelen justifies the Church’s move by saying, “Theologically, for instance, we know that God is beyond our gender determinations, God is not human.” Within her statement, Archbishop Jackelen reveals how quickly using non-specific terms about God lead to untruth.
God is not like humans in that He is holy and set apart from His creation. He is not a created being but the eternal, creator of all things. But the second Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ, is very much human. In fact, Jesus Christ is not only human, He is also male.
A denial of the humanity of Jesus Christ is a grave theological mistake. The Bible calls such a mistake deceptive and antichrist teaching (II John 1:7). This is why the Church must refer to God in specific, Biblical terms. Failure to do so is a failure to present the real God to the world.
If Archbishop Antje Jackelen does not believe in the Biblical Jesus Christ, perhaps she feels at liberty to represent Him however she chooses. But believers must be careful to follow, worship and proclaim only the authentic, Biblical Jesus. Anything more or less is idolatry and heresy.
- Pastor Randy
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