An introduction to Christian bible names and descriptions for God which are gender neutral and feminine. A workshop presentation developed for the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women in The United Methodist Church and presented at the Women and Worship conference hosted by Philips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, OK.

1. Expansive Language:
Congregations Exploring Inclusivity:
Strategies for Introducing a Difficult Topic

2. O burning Mountain,
O Chosen Sun,
O perfect Moon,
O fathomless Well.
O unattainable Height,
O Clearness beyond measure
O Wisdom without end,
O Mercy without limit
O Strength beyond resistance,
O Crown beyond all majesty
The humblest thing you created sings your praise.
Amen. From United Methodist Hymnal # 104
{pray}

3. Workshop
Agenda
• Introductions
• Project Overview
– Mandate, Background, Goal
• Framing Conversations for
Resistant Communities
• God of the Bible: new study
• Reflection Exercise
• Conclusions & Conversation
– Other Resources
– Evaluation

4. Introductions
• Name
• Location
• Leadership Role
• Why Are You Here

5. How does it change our understanding
of and relationship with God to use
both masculine and feminine names /
images?
Why does it
matter what
names or
descriptions we
use for God?

6. Why, in 2014, is Expansive
Language Not Yet Completely
Standard?

7. Transforming Common Fears

8. Foundational Value #1:
Revelation of Scripture
• All scripture is inspired by
God and is useful for
teaching...
2 Timothy 3:16a
• Thus, we practice spiritual
disciplines of study, prayer,
conferencing, and
discernment

9. Foundational Value #2:
Purity
• Feminine images and pronouns
were once connected strongly
with pagan goddess imagery and
earth-as-goddess images
• Must take scripture seriously,
authoritatively
• Let them know that you alone,
whose name is the LORD, are the
Most High over all the earth.
Psalm 83:18

10. Jesus Is Lord
Foundational
Value #3:

11. Foundational Value #4:
Expansive Gender Equality
• GOAL:
– To obey the command to love the Lord God with our
heart, soul, mind, and strength by seeking to know
God
– To love our neighbors as ourselves by acknowledging
that God created humanity in God’s image – male
AND female
=

12. God of the Bible
5 Weeks
Small Groups
Free and Downloadable
May 2015

13. Session 1:
Imagining
the Mystery
and Love of
God

14. Session 2:
Listening to Wisdom
Hagia Sophia
June 23, 2012
(cc) Anna Yanew.

15. Session 3: God Who Nurtures,
Loves and Parents

16. http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/staffhome/ankelly/Farid/From%20Within%20Creation.jpg
Session 4: God of All Creation

17. Session 5:
Knowing the
Unknowable

18. Biblical
Reflection
Exercise

19. All-powerful God
Almighty Giver of Good
Answer to all mysteries
Awesome God
Awesome One
Binder of Wounds
Brightness of faithful souls
Comfort of sufferers
Companion of the lonely
Compassionate One
Creative Source of all being
Creator and Preserver of all
humankind
Creator of all
Creator of goodness and
beauty
Creator of the light
Desire of the Nations
Eternal Father-Mother-God
Eternal God our Answer
Eternal Keeper
Eternal One
Eternal Ruler
Eternal Source of
knowledge
Eternal source of peace
Eternal Spirit of the
universe
Ever loving God
Ever-living God
Faithful God
Fountain of all Holiness
Fountain of everlasting light
Fountain of life
Fountain of light and Truth
Fountain of wisdom
Friend of the poor
Generous Provider of all
good gifts
Giver of all good things
Giver of every good and
perfect gift
Giver of health and
salvation
Giver of life and health
Giver of love
Giver of peace
God arrayed in justice
God of ages past and future
God of all being
God of all comfort
God of all compassion
God of all creatures
God of all flesh
God of all generations
God of all goodness
God of all power
God of all righteousness
God of all the world
God of all times and places
God of comfort
God of compassion
God of earth and air, height
and depth
God of earthquake, wind,
and fire
God of eternal might
God of forgiveness and
understanding
God of freedom and right
God of grace and glory
God of heavenly powers
God of holiness
God of holy love
God of hope and joy
God of Israel's past
God of life and death
God of light and sun
God of many deliverances
God of peace
God of power and splendor
God of prophets (and
apostles)
God of steadfastness and
encouragement
God of the beginning, God
of the end
God of the loving heart
God of the morning, noon,
and evening of life
God of the spirits of all flesh
God of this day
God of truth
God of unchangeable
power
God of wonders
God our Companion
God our Helper
God surrounded by glory
God who art perfect love
Gracious Giver of
knowledge
Gracious God
Great God (of power)
Great God our Hope
Great Healer of body and
soul
Great Ruler of the world
Guardian of our lives
Guide and inspiration of
humanity
Guide of humanity
Guide of the meek
Healer of the sick
Heart that inspires in us a
vision of justice and love
Heart's Delight
Helper of all persons
Helper of the weak
Hidden God
High and Holy One
(The) Hope of all the ends
of the earth
Incognito God
Inexhaustible God
Infinite God
Inspiration to goodness
Israel's Shield
Judge Eternal
Judge of all humankind
Keeper of (the) covenant(s)
Keeper of our souls
Life of all who live
Life of mortals
Life of the universe
Life of the world
Light of all seeing
Light of the faithful
Light of the minds that know
thee
Lover of concord
Lover of peace
Lover of souls
Maker of all things
Maker of heaven and earth
Maker of light
Maker of man and woman
in your own likeness
Mighty Forever God
Mighty God
Mighty Redeemer
Mind of the universe
(The) Mind that unifies all
creation
Most merciful God
One and Eternal God of
time and space
Only One
Our Creator and Our
Teacher
Our Refuge and Our
Strength
Our Source and Our End
(The) Power that brings
healing to the sick
Power that saves
Power that shields
Proclaimer of justice
Protector of all who trust
Pure and upright One
Radiance of faithful souls
Radiant and glorious God
Redeemer and Deliverer
Redeemer of Israel
Redeemer of the oppressed
Redeeming God
Refuge of those who put
their trust in you
Repose of the dead
Righteous God
Righteous One of all
generations
Rock of all creation
Rock of Jacob
Rock of our life
Ruler of all creation
Ruler of all peoples on
earth
Ruler of the universe
Searcher of hearts
Shelter from the storm
Shield of Abraham
Shield of our fathers and
mothers
Shining Glory
Source of all existence
Source of all health
Source of all life
Source of all power
Source of all that we have
Source of all true joy
Source of blessing
Source of creation
Source of deliverance and
help
Source of eternal light
Source of freedom
Source of good
Source of health and
strength
Source of life
Source of mercy
Source of peace
Source of salvation
Source of strength
Source of truth and law
Sovereign God
Sovereign of peace
Staff and support of the
righteous
Steadfast and loving One
Strength of our life
Strength of the weak
Strength of those who labor
Strong God of truth
Support of the innocent
Sustainer of all the worlds
that are
Teacher of peace
The First and the Last
True and only Light
True Sun of the World
Upholder of the falling
Watchful and caring God
(The) Will that gives us
power
Wondrous Fashioner and
Sustainer of Life
World's Light
NAMES FOR GOD IN THE BIBLE

20. Other Descriptions for God
Genesis 1:27
Genesis 49:25
Hosea 11:3-4
Hosea 13:8
Deuteronomy
32:11-12
Deuteronomy
32:18
Isaiah 66:13
Isaiah 49:15 Isaiah 42:14
Jeremiah
44:25
Psalm131:2
Psalm 123:2-3 Job 38:29
Matthew
23:37
Luke 13:34
Luke 15:8-10
Compiled by the Women’s Ordination Conference www.womensordination.org

21. Genesis 1:27
“Humankind was created
as God’s reflection: in the
divine image God
created them; female
and male, God made
them." Beth Scupham

22. Genesis 49:25
“by the God of your father, who
will help you, by the Almighty who
will bless you with blessings of
heaven above, blessings of the
deep that lies beneath, blessings
of the breasts and of the womb.”

23. Hosea 11:3-4
“…I led them with cords of
human kindness, with bands
of love. I was to them like
those who lift infants to their
cheeks. I bent down to them
and fed them.”

24. Hosea 13:8
“Like a bear robbed of
her cubs, I will attack
them and tear them
asunder…”
ArendV 0514

25. Deuteronomy 32:11-12
“Like the eagle that stirs up
its nest, and hovers over its
young, God spreads wings
to catch you, and carries
you on pinions.”
Kenneth Cole Schneider

26. Deuteronomy 32:18
“You were unmindful of
the Rock that bore you;
you forgot the God who
gave you birth.”
postbear eater of worlds

27. Isaiah 66:13
God: “As a mother
comforts her child, so I
will comfort you; you
shall be comforted in
Jerusalem.”
eren {sea+prairie}

28. Isaiah 49:15
God: “Can a woman forget her
nursing child, or show no
compassion for the child of her
womb? Even these may
forget, yet I will not forget you.”
AV17-34 World BankAV17-34 World Bank Photo Collection

29. Isaiah 42:14
God: “For a long time I have held
my peace, I have kept myself still
and restrained myself; now I will cry
out like a woman in labor, I will
gasp and pant.”
IN151S17 World Bank

30. Jeremiah 44:25
“Thus says…the God of Israel: You and your
wives have accomplished in deeds what you
declared in words, ‘We are determined to
…make offerings to the queen of heaven and
to pour out libations to her.’ By all means,
keep your vows and make your libations!”

31. Psalm131:2“But I have
calmed and
quieted my
soul, like a
weaned child
with its mother;
my soul is like
the weaned
child that is
with me.”
Ajpix.blogspot.com

32. Psalm 123:2-3
“As the eyes of a
servant looks to the
hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maid
to the hand of her
mistress, so our eyes
look to you, YHWH,
until you show us your
mercy!”
Mattias Karlsson

33. Job 38:29
God: “Who has begotten the
drops of dew? From whose
womb did the ice come forth,
and who has given birth to the
hoar-frost of heaven?”
Nomadic lass

34. Matthew 23:37 & Luke 13:34
“…How often have I desired
to gather your children
together as a hen gathers
her brood under her wings,
and you were not willing!”
llee_wu

35. Luke 15:8-10
Jesus: “Or what woman having ten silver
coins, is she loses one of them, does not
light a lamp, sweep the` house, and search
carefully until she finds it? When she has
found it, she calls together her friends and
neighbors saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I
have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so,
I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the
angels of God over one sinner who
repents.”

36. {Reflect}

37. Strategies for Jumping In

38. Expansive United Methodist
Hymns and Songs
Song Source
God of Many Names United Methodist Hymnal 105
Creating God, Your Fingers Trace United Methodist Hymnal 109
Source & Sovereign, Rock & Cloud United Methodist Hymnal 113
The Care the Eagle Gives Her Young United Methodist Hymnal 118
Mothering God, You Gave Me Birth The Faith We Sing 2050
Womb of Life The Faith We Sing 2046
Bring Many Names The Faith We Sing 2047
God of the Bible Worship & Song 3020

39. Bibliography and Resources
• United Methodist Book of Resolutions #8011
• Making Sense of the Bible – Adam Hamilton
• Stellarella – Deborah W. Dykes
• The Shack – William P. Young
• Big Mama Makes the World – Phyllis Root
• Beyond God the Father: Toward a Philosophy of
Women’s Liberation – Mary Daly
• Feminist Mysticism And Images of God: A
Practical Theology – Jennie S. Knight

40. Bible Studies and Theology
• Worship for the Whole People of God: Vital
Worship for the 21st Century – Ruth Duck
• Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible
Study – 34 week - Cokesbury
• Invitation to Genesis – 10 session – Peter Enns -
Cokesbury
• Rock, Shepherd, Friend – 4 session –
www.gcrsw.org
• Words that Hurt, Words that Heal – Cokesbury
Electronic Download

41. Questions and Conclusio

42. PRACTICE