IN the first chapter of Genesis is the significant declaration, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." It is obvious that this image or reflection must express exactly its original. Thus, God being both Father and Mother necessarily implies the nature of man, God's reflection, as including both masculine and feminine qualities. Abraham knew God as "El Shaddai," a Hebrew term signifying the "Strong One," the "All-sufficient." The word "Shaddai" also conveys the idea of God as "Nourisher" or "Strength-giver." These terms certainly indicate God's motherhood as well as fatherhood, strengthening and sustaining every spiritual idea.
How little understood throughout the centuries have been the spiritual truths of the Scriptures! The abuses of both Judaism and the scholastic theology of the later ages are largely responsible for obscured views and incorrect conclusions. Nevertheless, the light of Truth was glimpsed in part by those patriarchs and prophets of whom we have record. For instance, Abraham saw something of the omnipotence of God, while Moses not only saw this phase of God's nature, but visioned Him as "a God of truth," the author of all law. Moses undoubtedly understood in some measure, also, the omniscience of God. Thus, besides the revelation of God as all-powerful there were also revelations of Him as all-seeing, all-knowing. In no small measure did Isaiah see the beauty of God's nature, which he expressed in this thought: "For thus saith the Lord. ... As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem." Jeremiah's writings also contain high and lofty concepts of God's nature. For instance, in the thirty-first chapter he depicts God as saying: "I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." Here are two noteworthy qualities of God: the eternality of His love, and the tenderness that draws with loving-kindness rather than by force or rebuke. Constancy and tenderness are included in God's nature as Mother.
To Christ Jesus was given not only the vision of God which was borne witness to by the ancient prophets and patriarchs, but the larger and more complete revelation of God as Love. Thus is found the higher understanding of God as both Truth and Love, having the nature and office of both Father and Mother. Jesus visioned the tenderness of God, His mercy and forgiveness. And how simple were his illustrations of God's nature! His audiences consisted of lettered and unlettered folk, whose comprehension of the spiritual truths he taught depended upon such explanations as could be clearly grasped. Accordingly, the Master spoke in parables or short stories of an allegorical nature with which to bring out the true meaning of life and of God. Many of those who listened were receptive, indeed were eager to find something that would satisfy their spiritual yearnings. What they needed was a higher and better understanding of God. And so, the Master taught them in such language as they could grasp and understand. He did not dogmatize as to what God is, nor endeavor to pour into their ears doctrines philosophical or ecclesiastical. How wondrously he explained God's tender mercy and forgiveness in the story of the prodigal son! How clearly did he emphasize the divine forgiveness in the case of the adulterous woman! Illustrations of the impartial and universal love of God were brought out in his story of the lost sheep, and the woman with the ten pieces of silver. Such qualities and attributes of God as those of charitableness, tenderness, and loving-kindness were beautifully exemplified in the account of the good Samaritan who rescued and provided sustenance and shelter for the man who had fallen among thieves. These teachings and parables clearly indicate both the fatherhood and the motherhood of God.
