Does God Being Male Insult Women?

God refers to Himself as the Father; Jesus Christ, God in the flesh (John 1:1-3,14), who referred to Himself as the Son of God, came to earth in the form of a man, was crucified, rose again, and now sits on the right hand of the Father as the God-Man. It's fairly straightforward—God is male.

Though God has chosen to reveal Himself as Father and Son—both males, it doesn't mean men are more important than women (cf. Galatians 3:28). Females have played important roles in the Bible: Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary 1, Mary 2, Elizabeth, Lois, Lydia, and others were noteworthy women. And there's no record about them being unhappy with God's gender. 

There is no insult in God being male. The only insult is the one that people try to create.

The female was made from the male (Genesis 2:22), and God has given roles to each gender. They're both equal in creation but not in order (Genesis 1:27). God ordained males as heads (Ephesians 5:23). The only offense is to someone unwilling to accept God's declared order in creation.

Humans could have been anything God created, but He chose to make us male and female. When men and women have children, the family becomes a reflection of the eternal relationship within the Trinity. Apparently, God takes pleasure in proper familial relationships and is glorified in them.

Women can understand God the Father just fine and God the Son just fine. Female Christians in history did not seem to have a problem with that. Only now in American PC culture has God's gender become an issue.

One final note: Jesus Christ gave His life for His church (Ephesians 5:25)—a group comprised of both males and females. He refers to His church as His betrothed bride—a female (2 Corinthians 11:2), and their wedding ceremony will be in heaven during the Tribulation on earth (Revelation 19:7-9). That may make some men uncomfortable, but it's what God has declared—Christian men do not seem to have a problem with that. So, in the New Testament, God speaks to us as a Father, as a Son, and as a Husband to His bride. 

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By Jerry Smith
Feature image: Photo by Julie Johnson on Unsplash

What Is the Christian Response to a Border Wall?

Historically, the U.S.A. has been a welcoming country for millions of immigrants. From the early to mid 1900s, Ellis Island was an example of how America reflected its poem on the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." 

The fact that we have immigration policies is also a testimony to our willingness to accept others. As a sovereign nation, the United States has the right to create immigration standards that are to be followed by those who wish to join us. 

We are a melting pot of people from many nations. So being American is not a matter of skin color but a way of thinking. And what we offer is something that no other nation on the planet can match: the American dream. 

But when our generosity is abused; when our immigration policies are being ignored; when our country is being invaded by an onslaught of people who ignore the process; who climb over our walls and attempt to overwhelm our border agents—we have the right to erect a wall to stop it. 

There is no home without walls. So why is the U.S. any different in requiring that people follow the rules and wait outside until we open the door? 

God's Attitude Toward Foreigners 

God is concerned for the welfare of foreigners (Exodus 22:21). So much so, that in the Old Testament He made provisions for them once they were inside the Jewish nation (cf. Exodus 23:9, Leviticus 19:33, Deuteronomy 10:19). 

The New Testament is a clear demonstration of charity from God by His extending the Gospel from the Jews (who had the right to it) to the Gentiles (Romans 1:16) who had no right to it. 

God Gave Man Borders 

God has also established borders. From the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:9) until now, people have been divided (Genesis 10:25) into nations by Divine providence. 

The Jews were a nation (2 Samuel 7:23) distinguished by God from other nations. Jerusalem had a wall and Nehemiah rebuilt it with God's help. And America has a God-given right to borders (cf. Acts 17:26). 

Authority 

God places (Daniel 2:21) rulers over a country for their benefit. The powers that be are meant to be a terror to evil works (Romans 13:3). 

If the U.S. is being overwhelmed by illegal entries (many of which pose a threat), than the leader, by mandate, is to protect that country—it is biblical. 

God says, whoever resists the authority is resisting God (Romans 13:2). I grieve that too many Christians today are doing that by rejecting the leadership God has appointed our country. 

Those who say the Christian response is to let everyone in and forsake the wall are misled about Christianity. 

Those churches and groups of Christians who break the law to accommodate illegal immigrants forsake God's wisdom and place their own ideologies above God's, putting the lives of American citizens at risk. 

So, what is the Christian 'response' to the border wall? 

There is NO Christian response—there is simply God, His word, borders, nations, God-given authority to leaders, and now, the need for a wall in the U.S. These are all biblically-supported reasons, and Christians are commanded to submit to them (Romans 13:1). 

Since nothing else seems to be working, a border wall is the only other option. 

Christians who say that we should show compassion for suffering people are right—as a nation, we do! We are a very generous nation. 

The Good Samaritan took care of his enemy the suffering Jew; are not we as a nation doing that with our high levels of assistance to other countries—even those that do not adhere to our values? 

Should the U.S. destroy its way of life to show Christian love when some of the people coming across our Southern border are clearly seeking to take advantage of and or harm us? What of reports of terrorists trying to enter the country? Are we to love our enemies to our own demise—that is foolish, not Christian. 

We are commanded to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), not knowingly bring them into our homes so they can hurt us and our families. Just to be Christian, some would jeopardize the safety of our citizens and loved ones to bring someone into the country unvetted? 

Christians who say we should be loving and have open arms are right—but not at the cost of the safety and welfare of our citizens and the people we love. 

During His earthly ministry, even Jesus avoided areas where people wanted to harm Him (John 7:1). He escaped persecutors (John 10:39) who were intent on killing Him (Luke 4:29). Should He have wrapped His arms around them and tell them He loved them? Does your goodness exceed that of Christ? Your wisdom? 

Jesus demonstrated the balance between loving your enemies and not letting your enemies harm you. 

Balance 

Remember, there must be a balance between being overzealous Christians and preserving the welfare of the people you love. 

Yes, Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3) and sought forgiveness for those who nailed him to the cross (Luke 23:34). 

However, there is a distinction in the Bible between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Satan. God does not open the flood gates and let everyone in. Is God therefore unjust? 

No. It means there is a proper entryway: Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). No one gets to heaven but through Him. 

Jesus said people must come through the door (John 10:9) and the straight gate (Matthew 7:13). And He warned us about those trying to come into the sheepfold over the wall as not being the real deal (John 10:1). 

In saying that we should accept everyone that crosses our borders illegally, are some Christians intimating that they are more righteous than God? Wiser? 

If God made distinctions between people in His parables, why can we not apply them to this situation? Are emotions and trends getting in the way of our Christianity? 

Revelation tells us that there will be people in heaven, and tells us that others will be on the outside (Revelation 22:14-15). Those who enter the gates can come in (Revelation 22:14). 

How about the U.S.—we are simply asking that people come through the proper way; use the proper door of immigration; stop climbing the walls, and go through legal channels. 

Christians need to find the balance between biblically loving our enemies and showing compassion on foreigners; and biblical borders, authorities, and distinctions between people. 

Conclusion 

Leaders who wish to protect their nations from enemies are not evil. On the contrary, they demonstrate love for the people they have been placed in-charge over. 

Neither are citizens of a nation that wish to protect themselves evil. 

Was Jesus wrong for driving out money changers and vendors from the Temple (John 2:15)? Why then would a leader be wrong for cleaning up the country he has been appointed over? 

In the Bible, there is a wall between people who are born again through obeying God's will to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved (John 6:40) and those who do not, which are viewed as enemies (Romans 5:10). The love for the enemies of God is revealed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

If immigrants wish to be, humanly speaking, reborn into the U.S., they must also obey the commands of the God-appointed sovereign nation of the United States of America. 

If they refuse to and continue to flood our borders, a wall may be the only thing that will stop it. 

By Jerry Smith

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Feature image source: https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/SherryVSmith

Border wall image source: https://www.istockphoto.com/portfolio/SherryVSmith

Resources: Truth or Tradition, Academia.edu