HELP! Defending Masculinity of God with stupid Liberal Professor!

[tonyrey]

St Paul explains clearly why we call God our Father:

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts crying out, ‘Abba, Father!’ Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Galatians 4:4-7)

 

[mcteague]

As I have grown older I am less a fan of dialectic in education. Instead of listening to find what you disagree with and want to debate have you considered listening to fully understand what your professor is saying? Sometimes something will jump out at us, and we will become some annoyed by that we loose our ability hear.

What is your professor really trying to say? Do we tend, or have we tended, to imagine and represent God more with qualities we tend to define as masculine rather than feminine? Are there social and political explanations for this that lay outside religion.

You are right to be intimidated. People with PH.d’s know a lot more about their subjects than undergrads. Hopefully, he will be nice and discuss the issue within the limits of your knowledge and ability. But trust me, he could swat you like a fly.

Why not try to be sure that you really understand what it is that he is arguing. Maybe there are some aspects that you will agree with. Maybe not, but at least you will really understand what he is getting at.

I will give you advice that I wish someone had given me when was young and bold like you.
Try a lot less talking and a lot more listening

 

[Mijoy2]

Maybe you should consider Boston College, two years ago they placed crucifixes in every classroom in the college and really annoyed the liberal professors

catholicnewsagency.com/news/boston_college_attracts_praise_and_hostility_for_placing_crucifixes_in_classrooms/

That is where Peter Kreeft works as a professor. If I am correct, Kreeft has referred to Boston College as “BC, Barely Catholic”.

 

[John_Pascendi]

Ok, so currently I reading through material to be discussed at a class later this week in which the author says that Masculinity conquered “The Great Mother” and replaced it with a masculine God and now we must reclaim feminine spirituality.

Ok, at this PATHETIC school I am at, all if not most of the professor believe in calling God “she” and using he and she interchangeably. I have talked to a priest, a seminarian, and TWO people with master in theology about this so I now perfectly well why this is just a load of ****. But I am already gearing up to openly debate my professor in class about this because I am DONE sitting there and letting him flat out lie about what our church teaches.

The thing is, every time I get fired about and ready to debate him (there is one in particular at my “Catholic” school is ridiculously liberal and for lack of a better word, just stupid) I just remember he has a doctorate in theology and makes his living off of speaking and I back down. But this time I don’t want to do that.

Can anyone please give me some good arguments about this? And sources to read up on? Prayers for the courage to debate him in front of my peers and other professors (the class is taught by multiple professor so I may end up not just having to fight with one unfortunately.)

Here is what Im thinking about saying:
One, I understand that we will never be able to fully understand God
Two: Our reverence of Mary keeps feminine spirituality well alive
Three: No where is this dumb ideal in the catechism

Thats about all I got… I need a lot of help!!!

…as a person who attended many different colleges and had to keep quiet as they lied,used hate venom against my beloved heritage…both Italian and American…plus my religon.I am Roman Catholic…dont expect too much from these leftwing hate mongers…they have an agenda and remember why you are in college…to get that sheepskin and no other,I had to learn the hard way…I call it my white knuckle moements…to remain silent in the face of absolute hatred is a very hard thing to do…you are not in there to convert these Judas followers…so go with the flow and know that out here in cyber net at least one person knows how you feel and weeps for you …

 

[mcteague]

…as a person who attended many different colleges and had to keep quiet as they lied,used hate venom against my beloved heritage…both Italian and American…plus my religon.I am Roman Catholic…dont expect too much from these leftwing hate mongers…they have an agenda and remember why you are in college…to get that sheepskin and no other,I had to learn the hard way…I call it my white knuckle moements…to remain silent in the face of absolute hatred is a very hard thing to do…you are not in there to convert these Judas followers…so go with the flow and know that out here in cyber net at least one person knows how you feel and weeps for you …

I am fascinated by this tale of anti-American, anti-Italian, anti-Catholic, truth distorting, hate mongering, left wing academics. Why don’t you start another thread? I would really like to see if there is any substance to your charge.

 

[ronnie_bonigli]

I am fascinated by this tale of anti-American, anti-Italian, anti-Catholic, truth distorting, hate mongering, left wing academics.

Maybe Obama’s preacher Reverend Write taught some classes there

crosswalk.com/news/11571660/

 

[Betterave]

You are right to be intimidated. People with PH.d’s know a lot more about their subjects than undergrads. Hopefully, he will be nice and discuss the issue within the limits of your knowledge and ability. But trust me, he could swat you like a fly.

As a banal generalization, of course this is true. But as it happens, the guy with the PhD apparently knows less on the point in question than does the undergrad. Obviously professors have a professional responsibility to “be nice and discuss the issue within the limits of [their students’] knowledge and ability,” so hopefully he would act accordingly. But you’re right: we can only say hopefully - and chances are he could well abuse his position of power and use whatever knowledge he does have as a rhetorical bludgeon with which to swat any dissenters like flies. That’s the sad reality.

That is not to say that anybody is right to be intimidated by this kind of nonsense.

 

[Silyosha]

Maybe you should consider Boston College, two years ago they placed crucifixes in every classroom in the college and really annoyed the liberal professors

catholicnewsagency.com/news/boston_college_attracts_praise_and_hostility_for_placing_crucifixes_in_classrooms/

It seems ridiculous how these professors are getting up in arms about this. What do they expect when they’re teaching in a CATHOLIC school?

 

[ronnie_bonigli]

It seems ridiculous how these professors are getting up in arms about this. What do they expect when they’re teaching in a CATHOLIC school?

It’s the liberal mindset, they are consistently the most intolerant people on the planet. To the point that they get upset that a Catholic private school display catholic icons. It’s just sad.

 

[mcteague]

As a banal generalization, of course this is true. But as it happens, the guy with the PhD apparently knows less on the point in question than does the undergrad. Obviously professors have a professional responsibility to “be nice and discuss the issue within the limits of [their students’] knowledge and ability,” so hopefully he would act accordingly. But you’re right: we can only say hopefully - and chances are he could well abuse his position of power and use whatever knowledge he does have as a rhetorical bludgeon with which to swat any dissenters like flies. That’s the sad reality.

That is not to say that anybody is right to be intimidated by this kind of nonsense.

I suppose as generalizations are almost by definition banal, I will accept your criticism.
It bothers be a little that no one here rebukes the OP for her arrogance and rudeness. It is apparently acceptable as long as one is criticizing Liberals, or anyone holding a view different than traditional Catholic thought. No one here would tolerate a post like that if it was directed at position broadly held here

 

[ronnie_bonigli]

I suppose as generalizations are almost by definition banal, I will accept your criticism.
It bothers be a little that no one here rebukes the OP for her arrogance and rudeness. It is apparently acceptable as long as one is criticizing Liberals, or anyone holding a view different than traditional Catholic thought. No one here would tolerate a post like that if it was directed at position broadly held here

I just reread the OP and I find nothing in it arrogant or rude, I see a freshman who is tired of being bullied and indoctrinated by a couple of frauds claiming what they teach has anything to do with Catholicism. You however seem a little too sensitive to any criticisms of liberal professors, feeling they should be left up on that pedestal, otherwise they might have to “swat like a fly” the inferior undergrads as you say.

 

[jonfawkes]

Ok, so currently I reading through material to be discussed at a class later this week in which the author says that Masculinity conquered “The Great Mother” and replaced it with a masculine God and now we must reclaim feminine spirituality.

Ok, at this PATHETIC school I am at, all if not most of the professor believe in calling God “she” and using he and she interchangeably. I have talked to a priest, a seminarian, and TWO people with master in theology about this so I now perfectly well why this is just a load of ****. But I am already gearing up to openly debate my professor in class about this because I am DONE sitting there and letting him flat out lie about what our church teaches.

The thing is, every time I get fired about and ready to debate him (there is one in particular at my “Catholic” school is ridiculously liberal and for lack of a better word, just stupid) I just remember he has a doctorate in theology and makes his living off of speaking and I back down. But this time I don’t want to do that.

Can anyone please give me some good arguments about this? And sources to read up on? Prayers for the courage to debate him in front of my peers and other professors (the class is taught by multiple professor so I may end up not just having to fight with one unfortunately.)

Here is what Im thinking about saying:
One, I understand that we will never be able to fully understand God
Two: Our reverence of Mary keeps feminine spirituality well alive
Three: No where is this dumb ideal in the catechism

Thats about all I got… I need a lot of help!!!

Something that hasn’t been touched upon is what is the context of his statement? What is the class?

Is it the grand scheme of world religions? There were many goddess cults before Judaism and the other Abrahamic religions.

Or is he talking about in it Catholicism particularly?

 

[Curious_Seed]

Ok, so currently I reading through material to be discussed at a class later this week in which the author says that Masculinity conquered “The Great Mother” and replaced it with a masculine God and now we must reclaim feminine spirituality.

Ok, at this PATHETIC school I am at, all if not most of the professor believe in calling God “she” and using he and she interchangeably. I have talked to a priest, a seminarian, and TWO people with master in theology about this so I now perfectly well why this is just a load of ****. But I am already gearing up to openly debate my professor in class about this because I am DONE sitting there and letting him flat out lie about what our church teaches.

The thing is, every time I get fired about and ready to debate him (there is one in particular at my “Catholic” school is ridiculously liberal and for lack of a better word, just stupid) I just remember he has a doctorate in theology and makes his living off of speaking and I back down. But this time I don’t want to do that.

Can anyone please give me some good arguments about this? And sources to read up on? Prayers for the courage to debate him in front of my peers and other professors (the class is taught by multiple professor so I may end up not just having to fight with one unfortunately.)

Here is what Im thinking about saying:
One, I understand that we will never be able to fully understand God
Two: Our reverence of Mary keeps feminine spirituality well alive
Three: No where is this dumb ideal in the catechism

Thats about all I got… I need a lot of help!!!

Is God masculine or feminine or both or neither or some other?

We simply don’t know. But, my guess is “ some other. ”

The Bible refers to our being in the image of God and since we have gender, should one conclude that God has gender?

Probably not.

When Jesus was asked how we should pray, He said “ Our Father . . . ”

Did Jesus mean that God is masculine?

Well, the nature of God may be one thing, and how we are to address Him may be quite another.

What we know for certain – according to Jesus – is that when we address God, we are not to speak to refer to Him in the feminine.

God is be called our Abba, not Ama.

 

[mcteague]

I just reread the OP and I find nothing in it arrogant or rude, I see a freshman who is tired of being bullied and indoctrinated by a couple of frauds claiming what they teach has anything to do with Catholicism. You however seem a little too sensitive to any criticisms of liberal professors, feeling they should be left up on that pedestal, otherwise they might have to “swat like a fly” the inferior undergrads as you say.

I was actually crushed by a few conservative professors in my day, as well as a some liberal ones. People who hold different views than we do are not necessarally stupid. That is probably especially true of those who have done the work to get a doctorate.
I felt the same way when some on the left called President Bush stupid. I may not have agreed with him on much. But that did not make him stupid.

My original point was that instead of defending ones beliefs and identity in the extreme way youth tend to do it might be better to actually try to understand the arguement being made to see if there is anything valid, useful, or interesting about it.
I do not think the OP has done that. Rather instead considers anything that makes her question or even think about these issues in a different way as stupid.
Seems arrogant and rude to me.
I feel compelled to admit that I was far worse at that age. I can’t imagine how anyone put up with me.

 

[Jesus_123]

+Below is the definitive statement from the Vatican clearly delineated for Catholics concerning this grave disordered error/heresy of attempting to redefine the masculine gender of our Holy Triune God in which the Holy See clearly denounces this presumptious sin . . . and the Holy See has been very actively fighting against this virulent widespread gross heresy for years . . .

CDF NORMS FOR THE TRANSLATION OF BIBLICAL TEXTS FOR USE IN THE LITURGY

Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith [CDF], 1995

[In 1995 the **Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued “secret norms” to the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (of the United States) to guide their revision of the Lectionary used at Mass. Prior to this time the Congregation had rejected two versions of Scripture (the New Revised Standard Version and the Revised New American Bible NAB)) for use in the Liturgy,

**owing to the unacceptable use of inclusive language. **
These norms remained “secret,” even from most bishops, until just prior to the June 1997 meeting of the bishops’ conference. This meeting approved, by subsequent mail ballot, a version of the Lectionary agreed upon by a working committee of Vatican officials and US bishops in March 1997. This Lectionary conforms to the previously issued Norms. …]

1. The Church must always seek to convey accurately in translation the texts she has inherited from the :bible1: Biblical, liturgical, and patristic tradition and instruct the faithful in their proper meaning.
2. The first principle with respect to :bible1: Biblical texts is that of fidelity, maximum possible fidelity to the words of the text. Biblical translations should be faithful to the original language and to the internal truth of the inspired text, in such a way as to respect the language used by the human author in order to be understood by his intended reader. Every concept in the original text should be translated in its context. Above all, translations must be faithful to the sense of Sacred :bible1: Scripture understood as a unity and totality, which finds its center in Christ, the Son of God incarnate (cf. “Dei Verbum” III and IV), as confessed in the Creeds of the Church.
3. The translation of :bible1: Scripture should faithfully reflect the Word of God in the original human languages. It must be listened to in its time-conditioned, at times even inelegant mode of human expression

without “correction” or “improvement” in service of modern sensitivitiesINDENTa) In liturgical translations or readings where the text is very uncertain or in which the meaning is very much disputed, the translation should be made with due regard to the Neo-Vulgate.

b) If explanations are deemed to be pastorally necessary or appropriate, they should be given in editorial notes, commentaries, homilies, etc.

4/l. The natural gender of “personae” in the :bible1: Bible, including the human author of various texts where evident, must not be changed insofar as this is possible in the receptor language.

4/2. The grammatical gender of God, pagan deities, and angels according to the original texts must not be changed insofar as this is possible in the receptor language.

4/3. In fidelity to the inspired Word of God, the traditional :bible1: Biblical usage for naming the persons of the Trinity as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is to be retained.

4/4. Similarly, in keeping with the Church’s tradition, the feminine and neuter pronouns are not to be used to refer to the person of the Holy Spirit.

4/5. ****There shall be NO ****systematic substitution of the masculine pronoun or possessive adjective to refer to God in correspondence to the original text.

4/6. Kinship terms that are clearly gender specific, as indicated by the context, should be respected in translation.

*To read the rest of the Holy See’s Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith’s publication please cllick on the following link: *

:coffeeread: ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDFNORMS.HTM

[Adoremus Bulletin, III, No. 5, July/August 1997]

Copyright © 1997 EWTN
All Rights Reserved

---

Provided courtesy of:
Eternal Word Television Network
5817 Old Leeds Road
Irondale, AL 35210[/INDENT][/INDENT]

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . in dedication to our* Father** Who Art in Heaven*+​

 

[Jesus_123]

:coffeeread:
DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION ON DIVINE REVELATION
DEI VERBUM #24

Sacred theology rests on the written word of
God,
together with sacred tradition,
as its primary and perpetual foundation.

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
PART ONE: THE PROFESSION OF FAITH

Article 2 - THE TRANSMISSION OF DIVINE REVELATION

81
Sacred Scripture is **the speech of God **as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit.

Article 3 - SACRED SCRIPTURE

104
In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it ** not** as human word, "but as what it really is, the Word of God."

In the sacred books,
the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly

to meet his children, and talks with them.

+Why on God’s . . . beautiful green earth . . .any truly converted well catechized Catholic soul would embrace an imaginary manufactured false “mother god” . . . when we have been so graciously gifted through the holy wonderful grace of God . . . as the children of men . . . with the extraordinary . . . born without sin . . . Most Holy Mother of God . . . the Blessed Virgin Mary . . . is beyond me.

It seems like a dreadful depraved perversion of truth and a monstrous insult to the . . . Blessed Virgin Mary . . . Queen of Heaven . . . our . . . Most Holy Mother . . . whom . . . as Father John Corapi so often shares . . . was good enough for Jesus . . . the . . . ***Blessed Christ of God ***. . . and as such therefore is infinitely so . . . ***very-much-much-more ***. . . than good enough . . . and infinitely more than sufficient for us . . . as God’s children . . . (male and female created He them) . . . all of whom are fallen wounded deformed sinners saved . . . only . . . by God’s grace . . .

Give to me,
O LORD GOD,
a watchful heart,
which no capricious thought
can lure away from You.

Give to me
a noble heart
which no unworthy desire can debase.

Give to me
a resolute heart,
which no evil intention can divert.

- from Ordering a Life Wisely
A Prayer of
St. Thomas Acquinas

*In dedication to the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart . . . *

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . Lord of All+
. . . St. Michael Holy Arch:angel1:angel of God+
. . . please pray for and protect God’s children from heresy+
. . . thank you Holy Mother of God+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Church+
. . . all glory and honor be only unto Thee O God
. . . precious Blood of Jesus+
. . . in all Thy Ancient Holy Power prevail+
​

 

[Abba]

What I don’t understand is why the Bishops of the USA do not put together a committee or council to oversee the Catholic schools, colleges and universities? The ‘council’ can visit the institutions and review their curriculum etc… and make recommendations and give warnings which they will forward or present to the Bishop of the archdiocese where the institution is located etc…

Why is something similar to these not being done? The things I hear coming from these so-called Catholic institution is disturbing, like some time ago there was a story about a Louisiana institution where the professor advised the student to work for Planned Parenthood etc… Meanwhile, the professor has mocks the Creed and the Hail Mary on his website while wearing a red dress!!! Yet, why isn’t anyone doing anything about this?

 

[OSU]

Not to clutter the argument with facts, but this is what the Nicene Creed says. If you are Catholic, you believe the following:

I believe in one God
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only-begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through Him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
He came down from heaven.

(at the following words, up to and including “and became man”, all bow)
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate
of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.

For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
He suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead.
His kingdom will have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets;
And in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

[mcteague]

I need a little reality check. Does anyone reading this thread really believe that at a Catholic college there is a theology professor teaching that the foundation belief of Christianity is something about the great mother? This certainly sounds like a comparative theology class.

Do people really think it is some terrible heresy to consider that if God exists “he” would have qualities beyond what can be described in the gender terminology we are accustomed to.

Is really that important that if we think of God, we only think of “him” with a penis?

 

[Jesus_123]

+College_Girl . . .perhaps it would be a help to thoroughly review and study the . . . **Dei Verbum **. . . I forgot to put in the link for same . . . sorry about that . . .


DOGMATIC CONSTITUTION
ON DIVINE REVELATION
DEI VERBUM
SOLEMNLY PROMULGATED
BY HIS HOLINESS
POPE PAUL VI
ON NOVEMBER 18, 1965

:coffeeread: Link: vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html

**Mother Assumpta Long, Prioress General of the extraordinary Dominican Sisters of Mary , the Order of the Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist **. . . would be an excellent source of Catholic doctrinal teachings on the posted subject matter . . . her order has been so graced by God that in the mere thirteen years since their founding, their numbers have increased more than 2,500 % - from four (4) sisters to over 100 and counting! . . . and the number of inquirers re possible entrance into their sound traditional Apostolic Holy Roman Catholic order of nuns is absolutely phenomenal . . . Mother Assumpta is a marvelously down-to-earth profoundly Godly soul . . . and I’m sure she has even more resources . . . and a powerful truth here and there on the subject of militant feminism which she describes simply as embracing the unholy grave error of **“self” **centeredness rather than surrendering to the Lord and living “Christ” centered lives . . . I’ve heard her on this subject and was absolutely blown away by her holy gracious wisdom regarding this subject . . . and the nuns prayers for you in this endeavor would be a marvelous supportive help . . . my prayers are also with you . . . knowing well and standing firm in our Holy Catholic Faith as God leads is a most worthy endeavor . . .

Mother Assumpta Long
Dominican Sisters of Mary
Mother of the Eucharist
4597 Warren Road
Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105
Telephone #: (734) 930-422
:coffeeread: Website address: www.sistersofmary.org
_______________Abba . . . at least some Catholic institutions are run by specific religious orders and are not directly under the authority of a local diocesan bishop . . . such as Notre Dame University . . . who caused such an uproar with their unholy disordered decision to have President Obama . . . the most powerful pro-abortionist of our age . . . as the commencement speaker a couple of years ago . . . a huge list of bishops publically denounced this unholy decision . . .

Other orders are directly under the authority of the **Holy See **. . . such as **EWTN’S Abbess Mother Angelica’s Poor Clare Sisters of Perpetual Adoration . . . which affords them much needed protection from disobedient bishops . . . many of whom have posed a threat in the past . . . and have been thwarted by the Pope . . . the Holy Father in Rome **. . . and the Holy See in their misguided attempts to interfere in the Order and with its Godly mission . . . several of which situations are outlined in her biography authored by Raymond Arroya . . .

**Msgr. Charles Pope on the Archdiocese of Washington blog made the following statements **. . .

:coffeeread:

“The fact is that the Church is to be a light to the world, but it sometimes happens that we fall short and God must allow the world itself to rebuke us. The Christian community is supposed to be self-correcting. It is an embarrassing truth that it sometimes takes Caesar to tell us to give to God what is God’s, to be more serious about our Christian walk, and to be true in our claims to be Catholic.”​

[For Monsignor Pope, there is a very important moral lesson about the modern state of Catholic higher education:]

“But the moral lesson in these cases seems to be that we had better get our own house in order. Certain ‘Catholic’ Colleges may go on for a while gleefully dissenting and ignoring Church mandates, but in the end they are going to be called to account by Caesar who will say, ‘Either give God what God is due, or stop pretending and pay the taxes that every other secular organization pays and observe the requirements every other secular entity does.’ In other words, decide what you really are and do so quickly.”​

“For the state to respect the rights of Catholics, Catholicism has to be intelligible. Hence these dissenters also endanger the religious freedoms of those who are faithful. Yes, we need to get our house in order.”​

Monsignor Pope’s commentary can be found here . . .

Link: blog.adw.org/2011/01/catholic-or-consequences-feds-increasingly-tell-catholic-entities-to-be-authentically-catholic-or-lose-religious-exemptions/

:harp: OSU . . . Marvelous contribution!

. . . all for Jesus+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Mary+
. . . thank you Holy Mother Church+
​