Richard of St Victor on male Trinity-talk
What do you think of this comment from Richard of St Victor (d. 1173)
Given that westerners no longer think of men as "the more worthy sex" does this have implications for God-talk? Perhaps it does if this is the only reason for "Father" and "Son" language. But, if it is not, then . . .
We must observe that there are two [different] sexes in the human nature, and for this reason, the terms defining relationship are different according to the difference of sexes. We call whomever is a parent either “father” or “mother” [according to their] sex. In case of progeny, [we say] in one case “sons” and in another “daughters.” In the divine nature, instead, as we all know, there is absolutely no sex. It was convenient, then, to associate the terms referring to the more worthy sex—as it is recognized—to the most worthy being in the universe. This is the reason why the custom of indicating one as Father and one as Son in the Trinity has suitably come into habit.
De Trinitate, Book 6.IV (translated by Ruben Angelici)
Given that westerners no longer think of men as "the more worthy sex" does this have implications for God-talk? Perhaps it does if this is the only reason for "Father" and "Son" language. But, if it is not, then . . .
Comments
Fascinating quote!
The reason I use Father & Son language (and would also refer to God as Mother-like) is perhaps simplistic but is that I want to follow Jesus in how he taught his followers to pray. Plus you have all the language about Jesus having come to reveal his Father. Even if this is accommodating language it seems to me that one would need to have an anti-revelatory view of things to assert that we had the freedom to decide what we should call God instead.
Matt