Our Father in Heaven: Christian Faith and Inclusive Language for God

A recent book asked the intriguing question, Is it okay to call God mother? Many today in church and academic settings are asking the same question. John Coopers Our Father in Heaven offers an even-handed critique of inclusive language for God utilizing insights from philosophical, theological, exegetical, and linguistic studies.

Cooper begins by introducing the current movement for inclusive language for God and surveying the standard supporting arguments. He closely examines how the Scriptures address God and points out the critical differences between the Bibles gendered language for God and inclusive language. Cooper also addresses other key issues, such as how supporters of inclusive language approach Scripture, the limits of human language for God, the inability of inclusive language to adequately communicate Christian doctrines, the spiritual dangers of inclusive language for God, and the charge that the God of the Bible is sexist.

Coopers investigation of the biblical text leads him to conclude that inclusive language in reference to God is inappropriate, but it also leads him to another conclusion. Since the Bible uses feminine imagery in reference to God, Cooper encourages the church to do the same. In a chapter entitled The Motherly Touch of Our Heavenly Father, he provides specific suggestions for making appropriate use of feminine imagery for God in public worship, church education, evangelism, pastoral counseling, personal devotions, scholarship, and art.

John W. Cooper (Ph.D., University of Toronto) is professor of philosophical theology at Calvin Theological Seminary. He is the author of Body, Soul, and Life Everlasting and A Cause for Division? Women in Office and the Unity of the Church.