‘God is neither male nor female’: Church of England is considering gender-neutral terms

The Church of England is considering whether to stop referring to God as “he” after questions concerning the use of gender-neutral terms were raised by priests.

The topic, which has been discussed by those who follow the Christian faith for many years, is being explored by two commissions in a new joint project.

The project has been launched in response to a question asked by Rev Joanna Stobart, vicar of Ilminster and Whitelackington in Somerset at synod, who wished for an update on “more inclusive language” in Church of England services and to refer to God in a “non-gendered way”.

Although specifics of the project’s aim and outcome remain unclear, some have already hit back at the possibility of changes.

Rev Dr Ian Paul told the Telegraph that any change would represent an abandonment of the Church’s own doctrine. He said that it would mean moving the doctrine of the Church away from being “grounded in the scriptures”.

The newspaper claimed there have been calls to stop referring to God as “He”, “Him” and “Our Father” for decades.

A spokesman for the Church of England told Sky News that there has been a greater interest in exploring new language in the last 20 years, but wanted to make clear there were no plans to “abolish or substantially revise currently authorised liturgies”.

They said: “Christians have recognised since ancient times that God is neither male nor female, yet the variety of ways of addressing and describing God found in scripture has not always been reflected in our worship.

“As part of its regular programme of work for the next five years, the Liturgical Commission has asked the faith and order commission to work with it on looking at these questions.

“No such changes could be made without extensive legislation.”

Any potential alterations would mark a departure from traditional Jewish and Christian teachings dating back millennia, and would have to be approved by synod, the Church‘s decision-making body.

The Rev Dr Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Lichfield and vice chair of the Liturgical Commission, which prepares forms of service, said the project will begin this spring.

It will involve the Liturgical Commission working with another Church of England body, the Faith and Order Commission – which advises on theology – to look at these questions for the next five years.

In 2018, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said that God is not a father in the same way that a human would be, with descriptions of God somewhat “metaphorical”.

Speaking at St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, he said “God is not male or female. God is not definable”. Instead, Rev Welby said that to him, God is one that is perfect and “loves me unconditionally”.