Some thoughts on the concept of a Christian Goddess

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This is just a rough sketch of some of the arguments for naming the Holy Spirit as a basis for a Christian Goddess. More detailed posts will appear in the future.

The Old testament word for spirit is 'ruwach', (pronounced roo'-akh) meaning wind, breath, inspiration, and the OT Hebrew noun is always feminine.

The Septuagint is the ancient Greek edition of the Old Testament. The Septuagint is the source of the Old Testament quotations found in the New Testament. The 'Wisdom of Solomon' was included in the Septuagint. In 'The Wisdom of Solomon' the Holy Spirit is female.

The book of Proverbs declares 'God's Wisdom' is female. The Greek 'feminine' term for wisdom', sophia; translates a Hebrew 'feminine' term, hokhmah. In the book of 'Proverbs' contained in the Bible as well as 'The Wisdom of Solomon' contained in the Apocrypha; It is clearly shown that the early Hebrews saw God's Wisdom and Spirit as female.

The "Odes of Solomon" is the earliest known Christian book of hymns or odes. It dates from before 100 A.D. In the 'Odes of Solomon'; the Holy Spirit is female..

Hermetic writings from the first century AD show that the first century Christians used the symbols of both male and female to express the 'light and the life' within God. In the Aramaic roots of The Lord's Prayer. Jesus's original language, The words Jesus used to address God are "Aboon Debashmaya (Abwoon d'bwashmaya,)." It means, the birther, the bearer, the breather/bringer of life and light. It means both Mother and Father. Also, Jesus spoke of Wisdom as female; ( Matthew 11:19; Luke 7:35)

The Hagia Sophia is the largest church in Constantinople (and in the ancient Christian world). The historian Socrates indicated that the church was named Sophia during the reign of Emperor Constantius. The name given to the church symbolized the second divine attribute of the Holy Trinity. Originally, Sophia, which means "Holy Wisdom".

[pullquote align="left"]The Old testament word for spirit is 'ruwach', (pronounced roo'-akh) meaning wind, breath, inspiration, and the OT Hebrew noun is always feminine.[/pullquote]The original tongue of the Hebrew or Aramaic would translate 'Holy Spirit' as female. Also, Greek would translate 'Holy Spirit' as either female or 'neuter in reference to the subject' and She only became 'He' in Latin and English bibles. Yet, even Milton, in his writing of Paradise Lost, refers to the Holy Spirit and Divine Reason as his Celestial Patroness!

Clearly, the ancient church traditions refer to the Holy Spirit in feminine and not masculine terms. It is important to speak of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Reconciler, with a feminine pronoun. The mother aspect of God is real and Holy.

Isaiah 66:13 "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you . . ."

The functions of the Holy Spirit as characterized in Biblical texts are often those which have been associated with women: consolation, inspiration, emotional warmth, and birth of the spirit.

Related articles

• What if God was a woman? (singlechristanwomen.wordpress.com)


• The Power of Three (katewoodauthor.wordpress.com)