He

Recently an evangelical denomination announced that it was redoing its official documents including its Statement of Faith to bring them more in line with the culture.  That idea alone ought to be frightening to those who worship and serve under their 501(c)(3).

But it gets worse, for they are going to change the male pronouns to neutral ones when referring to God.  That move makes a statement about the Bible itself which uses male pronouns when talking about God.  So now even the Bible is being subjected to the whim and ways of the culture.  Those in that denomination ought to either be screaming and/or demanding a reversal of the proposal or bailing out now!

What is also grievous is that many true Christians are only slightly troubled, not troubled, or even in agreement with the proposed move.  Why?  How is it that we have become so theologically illiterate that the pronoun change even gets a first reading?  We are in trouble, but then we have known that for some decades now.

So let’s talk about the use of He, His, and Him when referring to God.

First, such usage in Scripture is NOT calling God a male for God is NOT a male!  He is God and He is spirit – John 4:24.  God is neither male nor female.

Second, referring to God as a “He” is a statement about headship which Scripture teaches over and over.   1 Corinthians 11:3, But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Colossians 2:10, And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.  [It must be remembered that Jesus, as a head, came as a male.]

And why are angels referred to using male pronouns?

An angel talking to Daniel – Daniel 10:11, And he said to me, “O Daniel…”

Male pronouns are used when talking about angels for they are in positions of authority!  It is not due to gender!  Hebrew 1:14, Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister…

And Matthew 22:30, For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.

At this time angels are over men because of the fall and thus it is right to refer to them using male pronouns.  Again, it is not a gender reference but a headship designation.  Psalm 8:5, For You have made him a little lower than the angels.

Then there are the references to people as man.  Colossians 1:28, Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 

 Why?  It goes back to creation order.  I Timothy 2:12-13, And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.  For Adam was formed first, then Eve.

It must be remembered that referring to God using male pronouns is not a put down of women.  Galatians 3:28, There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

And remember that the headship given to males in a marriage or in a church is not a superiority designation but a duty to fulfill.  Ephesians 5:22-23, Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church.

While “he, him, or his” are proper in referring to a male, they can also be correctly used when talking about headship.  God is properly referred to as “He” for He is indeed head!