god of the bible - gcsrw
TRANSCRIPT
Expansive Language:Congregations Exploring Inclusivity:
Strategies for Introducing a Difficult Topic
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}
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
Introductions
• Name• Location • Leadership Role • Why Are You Here
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?
Why, in 2014, is Expansive Language Not Yet
Completely Standard?
Transforming Common Fears
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
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
Jesus Is Lord
Foundational Value #3:
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
=
God of the Bible 5 Weeks
Small GroupsFree and Downloadable
May 2015
Session 1: Imagining
the Mystery and Love of God
Session 2: Listening to Wisdom
Hagia Sophia June 23, 2012
(cc) Anna Yanew.
Session 3: God Who Nurtures, Loves and Parents
http://dlibrary.acu.edu.au/staffhome/ankelly/Farid/From%20Within%20Creation.jpg
Session 4: God of All Creation
Session 5:Knowing the Unknowable
Biblical Reflection Exercise
All-powerful GodAlmighty Giver of GoodAnswer to all mysteries
Awesome GodAwesome One
Binder of WoundsBrightness of faithful
soulsComfort of sufferers
Companion of the lonelyCompassionate OneCreative Source of all
beingCreator and Preserver of
all humankindCreator of all
Creator of goodness and beauty
Creator of the lightDesire of the NationsEternal Father-Mother-
GodEternal God our Answer
Eternal KeeperEternal OneEternal Ruler
Eternal Source of knowledge
Eternal source of peaceEternal Spirit of the
universeEver loving GodEver-living God
Faithful GodFountain of all HolinessFountain of everlasting
lightFountain of life
Fountain of light and Truth
Fountain of wisdomFriend 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 healthGiver of love
Giver of peaceGod arrayed in justiceGod of ages past and
futureGod of all being
God of all comfortGod of all compassionGod of all creatures
God of all fleshGod of all generationsGod of all goodness
God of all powerGod of all righteousness
God of all the worldGod of all times and
placesGod of comfort
God of compassionGod of earth and air,
height and depthGod of earthquake,
wind, and fireGod of eternal might
God of forgiveness and understanding
God of freedom and right
God of grace and gloryGod of heavenly powers
God of holinessGod of holy love
God of hope and joyGod of Israel's past
God of life and deathGod of light and sun
God of many deliverancesGod 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 heartGod of the morning, noon, and evening of
lifeGod of the spirits of all
fleshGod of this day
God of truthGod of unchangeable
powerGod of wonders
God our CompanionGod our Helper
God surrounded by gloryGod who art perfect
loveGracious Giver of
knowledgeGracious God
Great God (of power)Great God our HopeGreat Healer of body
and soulGreat Ruler of the world
Guardian of our livesGuide and inspiration of
humanityGuide of humanityGuide of the meekHealer of the sick
Heart that inspires in us a vision of justice and
loveHeart's Delight
Helper of all personsHelper of the weak
Hidden God
High and Holy One(The) Hope of all the
ends of the earthIncognito God
Inexhaustible GodInfinite God
Inspiration to goodnessIsrael's ShieldJudge Eternal
Judge of all humankindKeeper of (the)
covenant(s)Keeper of our soulsLife of all who live
Life of mortalsLife of the universe
Life of the worldLight of all seeing
Light of the faithfulLight of the minds that
know theeLover of concordLover of peaceLover of souls
Maker of all thingsMaker of heaven and
earthMaker of light
Maker of man and woman in your own
likenessMighty Forever God
Mighty GodMighty Redeemer
Mind of the universe(The) Mind that unifies
all creationMost merciful God
One and Eternal God of time and space
Only OneOur Creator and Our
Teacher
Our Refuge and Our Strength
Our Source and Our End(The) Power that brings
healing to the sickPower that savesPower that shields
Proclaimer of justiceProtector of all who trust
Pure and upright OneRadiance of faithful
soulsRadiant and glorious
GodRedeemer and Deliverer
Redeemer of IsraelRedeemer of the
oppressedRedeeming God
Refuge of those who put their trust in you
Repose of the deadRighteous God
Righteous One of all generations
Rock of all creationRock of Jacob
Rock of our lifeRuler of all creation
Ruler of all peoples on earth
Ruler of the universeSearcher of hearts
Shelter from the stormShield of Abraham
Shield of our fathers and mothers
Shining GlorySource of all existence
Source of all healthSource of all life
Source of all powerSource of all that we
have
Source of all true joySource of blessingSource of creation
Source of deliverance and help
Source of eternal lightSource of freedom
Source of goodSource of health and
strengthSource of life
Source of mercySource of peace
Source of salvationSource of strength
Source of truth and lawSovereign God
Sovereign of peaceStaff and support of the
righteousSteadfast and loving
OneStrength of our life
Strength of the weakStrength of those who
laborStrong God of truth
Support of the innocentSustainer of all the
worlds that areTeacher of peace
The First and the LastTrue and only Light
True Sun of the WorldUpholder of the falling
Watchful and caring God(The) Will that gives us
powerWondrous Fashioner and
Sustainer of LifeWorld's Light
NAMES FOR GOD IN THE BIBLE
Other Descriptions for GodGenesis
1:27
Genesis 49:25
Hosea 11:3-4
Hosea 13:8Deuteronomy 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
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
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.”
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.”
Hosea 13:8
“Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and
tear them asunder…” ArendV 0514
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
Deuteronomy 32:18
“You were unmindful of the Rock that bore you; you forgot the God who gave you
birth.” postbear eater of worlds
Isaiah 66:13
God: “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in
Jerusalem.”eren {sea+prairie}
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
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
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!”
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
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
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
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
Luke 15:8-10Jesus: “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.”
{Reflect}
Strategies for Jumping In
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
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
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
Questions and Conclusions
PRACTICE
{Pray}