God's Sexuality In The Bible...

[David Bokovoy]

In other words, my friend Ron, if God was both corporeal and male (and we know that most biblical authors viewed him as such) then how could this "super-human" not possess the very essence of what defines masculinity? And since for biblical authors, the essence of masculinity was defined in terms of a man's ability to procreate, wouldn't it make sense that as a masculine "super-human," God possess the essence of masculinity at the highest level.

Again, we could refer back to the Ugaritic text already cited in this thread that praises El's "super-human" sexual abilities as a case in study.

[kryoung1983]

As some here know, over the past year or so, Iâ??ve been working on an article that addresses the sexuality of the biblical God. Iâ??ve about completed my writing, and have entered the stage of reading everything I can find that has already been written on the subject.

In the process of accumulating this bibliography, I came across a truly amazing book written by Howard Eilberg-Schwartz entitled Godâ??s Phallus.

Warning, don't read on if this academic subject offends you...

I agree with much of what the author suggests, though Iâ??m skeptical of portions of his argument and wish that the analysis featured a more in-depth consideration of the implications of other Near Eastern texts for the author's arguments.

Still, I gained several fresh insights from the book. Itâ??s extremely well written, in fact, I simply couldnâ??t put it down until I had completed the read.

The authorsâ?? interpretation of the development of the idea of a non-corporeal deity in late Judaism and Christianity would no doubt prove problematic for many Bible believers, albeit not for Latter-day Saints.

I can't wait to read the article...when do you think it will be finished. I will have to look into that book eventually. Could you post some other references here as well?

As the author explains in his introduction:

Eilberg-Schwartz argues that the idea of a non-corporeal deity was a foreign concept to the Old Testament authors and that the view evolved later in Judaism as a direct result of Hellenization.

All sorts of fascinating implications abound throughout the study. These include Adam and Eve becoming like the Gods by covering their sexual organs and a very convincing analysis regarding the talking serpent who feels no shame at exposing his nakedness by shedding itâ??s skin.

Anyway, I really loved the book (though it certainly could offend some overly sensitive readers, and would highly recommend it to those posters on the board interested in divine sexuality, the historical development of Jewish monotheism, and the later Jewish/Christian rejection of the corporeal deity found throughout the Old Testament.

[Calm]

The adjectives and verb forms that describe Israel's divine Father are always masculine.

Does this occur even when the imagery itself is feminine (as in gathering Israel under God's wings?--going off of memory here, don't have time to find the scripture as I am late for work)

[DH]

Hello DH,

If by "pagans" you are referring to the ancient Near Eastern cultures that surrounded Israel, then your assumption that these people were embarrassed by the idea of divine sexuality is very, very wrong.

Rommelator's allusion to the Ugaritic text that celebrates the power and size of El's sex organ is simply one of many, many examples that illustrate the fundamental Near Eastern belief in sexual deities.

Biblical authors weren't embarrassed by the notion either, in fact, I believe that most of them had little doubt that their deity was a corporeal/sexual God.

My mistake. I have not studied the issue and was basing my comment on the quote from Patai's The Hebrew Goddess. However, I just reread that quote and realized Patai was referring not to pagans, but to the Hellenized Jews! Now I'm all embarrassed for having made that mistake! :blush: Just ignore what I said.

BTW, I do agree with you that the Biblical authors were not embarrassed by the notion, either, and look forward to your article.

DH

[Tanyan]

http://faculty.biu.ac.il/~barilm/handofgd.html

[DH]

I think of early judism as pagan. Greeks and Romans as not.

Not to be confused with gentiles.

According to yourdictionary.com, the definitions of 'pagan' are as follows:

pa

[kryoung1983]

According to yourdictionary.com, the definitions of 'pagan' are as follows:

pa

[Ron Beron]

In other words, my friend Ron, if God was both corporeal and male (and we know that most biblical authors viewed him as such) then how could this "super-human" not possess the very essence of what defines masculinity? And since for biblical authors, the essence of masculinity was defined in terms of a man's ability to procreate, wouldn't it make sense that as a masculine "super-human," God possess the essence of masculinity at the highest level.

Again, we could refer back to the Ugaritic text already cited in this thread that praises El's "super-human" sexual abilities as a case in study.

David, since you are compiling a bibliography have you seen Leick's "Sex and Eroticism in Mesopotamian Literature"? While it is primarily Mesopotamian there are, of course, the crossover links.

As to your response I can see entirely the "big man" God presented in the OT, but by the time of the Hellenists, where it should have been more pronounced the perception of God had become more "big spirit". What do you think happened?

[BCSpace]

I believe that the author of this book raises a very interesting point, namely that it was in part a discomfort with sexuality that led Jews and many Christians thereafter to reject the corporeal nature of God witnessed throughout the OT.

Which is fascinating because the Bible is quite pro-sex.

[David Bokovoy]

Does this occur even when the imagery itself is feminine (as in gathering Israel under God's wings?--going off of memory here, don't have time to find the scripture as I am late for work)

Are you referring to Jesus' statement in Matthew?

David, since you are compiling a bibliography have you seen Leick's "Sex and Eroticism in Mesopotamian Literature"? While it is primarily Mesopotamian there are, of course, the crossover links.

Indeed. A marvelous work! I gained a number of exciting insights into the Eden story via her work. Great scholar.