God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them. — Genesis 1:27
I ran across an article from a conservative podcaster and pastor who was upset that the Anglican church just approved a woman to be the Archbishop of Canterbury. This was proof of the decline of the modern church because “1,400 years of biblical faithfulness” went out the window when the first-ever female assumed the post. Women have their place at home and in some positions in church, but should never be in such an office of authority, because the Bible says so (according to him).
Other than the blatant sexism masquerading behind a religious facade, a question popped into my mind. “What is the face of God for this guy?” Taking the Bible selectively and literally means that God leads with “His” rulebook of black/white, right/wrong, good/evil, clean/unclean. Spare the rod/spoil the child. It’s the mentality of the elder son in the parable of the prodigal son. The younger son deserves punishment, and grace comes in by not really punishing him as much as he deserves.
And then I remember Episcopal Bishop Marian Budde, who preached a sermon with President Trump in the congregation, and asked him “to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now.” What is the face of God for her? I believe it would look a lot like Jesus. He’s the one who empowered women, praised the humble, complimented a “good Samaritan,” and said that the star of the prodigal son parable was a Father who threw a party instead of punishing. We bring punishment on ourselves, while grace overwhelms us when we come to our senses.
Come to think of it, the title for this meditation isn’t accurate. It should be, “Who we are shapes how we see God.” And I want to be more like Jesus. That changes things, and one of those things that changes is me.