Community Quote by Elizabeth A. Johnson
“the way in which a faith community shapes language about God implicity represents what it takes to be the highest good, the profoundest truth, the most appealing beauty. ... While officially it is rightly and consistently said that God is spirit and so beyond identification with either male or female sex, yet the daily language of preaching, worship, catechesis, and instruction conveys a different message: God is male, or at least more like a man than a woman, or at least more fittingly addressed as male than as female.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Theology of the Body, Elizabeth A. Johnson, 2010
Language used in faith communities often reflects cultural gender norms, shaping how God is described and understood, which can conflict with doctrinal statements of divine transcendence.
In simple terms: Faith language mirrors cultural gender ideas, sometimes clashing with doctrine.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge gendered language in worship.
Themes
theology
gender
language
faith
culture
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
theological
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Sermons
- educational curricula
- interfaith dialogues
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
Patriarchal bias
symbolic representation
divine transcendence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does gendered language affect personal spirituality?
- What alternatives can convey divine mystery without gender?
A Different Perspective
Changing deep‑seated linguistic habits is difficult and may meet resistance.
![“God made them male and female’[*] from the beginning of creation. 7 ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife,[*] 8 and the two are united into one.’[*] Since they are no longer two but one, 9 let no one split apart what God has joined together.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f4b/anonymous-1_creation_god-made-them-male-and-female-from-the-b_2394443.jpg)
![“The social [media channel] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection, and community. That's what there's too little of in today's mediascape, despite all the hoopla surrounding social tools. The promise…” quote by Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c85/umair-haque-25881_beauty_the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-bea_1270.jpg)
