Is God a Man?

Genesis 5:2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man."

Matthew 19: 4-5 "Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?'"

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

I have been told for as long as I can remember by Christian legalists that I'm not "really" a Christian. Why? Because I don't believe in Jesus as Savior? Because I do! That makes me a Christian. Yet some treat Christianity as a report card where you have to get the "right" marks, and if you don't, you do not pass the human litmus test for being a beloved child of God. Good thing God is God, not a bunch of religious zealots.

Here are some of the ways I've been told I'm not really a Christian (I'm not kidding--by churchgoing, fellow Christians):

because I vote democrat
because I think same-sex marriage should be legal
because I don't necessarily think everyone who's not a Christian is going straight to hell
because I don't enjoy going to church (being told at church you're not a real Christian kind of makes you not want to attend anymore)
because I, quite frankly, do not go to church
because I believe all things can be forgiven
and the most bizarre way of all:

because I don't particularly care if God is defined as male or female.

Yes, friends and foes, I have literally been told that I am no Christian at all, just because I entertain the possibility that God is both male and female.

Let's look at how the sentiments of my critics add up:

Despite what the Bible says, they are saying that faith in and love of Jesus as savior is not actually enough. It is.

They are saying that if I believe same sex marriage is ok, I am not a "real Christian," and am therefore going to hell. They are saying if I believe God is both male and female, I am no Christian at all, and am therefore, in their view, going to hell. Aren't you glad God is God, and not a fellow person? Because I'd apparently be doomed to eternal damnation for daring to disagree with group interpretation. This is a form of control.

Now, to address the actual issue of God's anatomy. I personally refer to God as "He," because I've been raised in a tradition that does so, and it's fine with me. But it does not bother me at all if another person wants to think of or refer to God as "She." Why? Because I believe that God is quite possibly beyond gender or sex, or encompasses both.

"You think God is a woman?!" the outraged ask.

"Well, do you think God is a man?!" I reply.

Is God a giant man, really? Does He also have specific characteristics of human gender and race?

"Well, no." they reply. "But He is male."

"Really?" I ask. "But how do you know? Do you think maybe God is beyond our human notions of gender or sex?"

"Because--well because because the Bible says!! He is called He! He is called Father!"

"Well, yes, I do certainly agree that the Bible does refer to God as He, and as Father. But it also refers to both male and female as 'man.' Who has seen the face of God? Who knows what God looks like? Doesn't it say God created them both in His image, male and female?"

At this point, if I am going to be called a non-Christian, this is when it happens.

My point is this: I personally do not care whether God is male or female. I am willing to exchange my desire to be right at all costs for the wonder of the majestic unknown. Ask yourself: Does it matter? Why does it matter to you? Would God being male, female, neither, or both make you love God any more or any less? It shouldn't. Because if God is truly omniscient, God has perfect knowledge and understanding that transcends biology and gender.

'Nuff said.