John Piper has sparked significant conversation this week with his assertion that God intentionally gave Christianity a “masculine feel.” He made these comments during the Desiring God conference, framing the faith’s identity as predominantly shaped by male attributes and leadership. While Piper’s views have garnered attention, they’ve also provoked a wave of critical responses from various voices in the Christian community, including Rachel Held Evans, Christian Piatt, and Kristina Robb-Dover. (A nod to Rod Benson for curating these perspectives.)
But Piper’s bold claim invites a deeper question: How did the prophets and early biblical figures really understand God? Was their understanding as unflinchingly masculine as Piper suggests, or is there more nuance to be found in scripture?
I say, let’s turn to the Bible itself for answers. Consider the words of Moses in Numbers 11:12: “Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their ancestors?” Here, Moses uses maternal imagery, likening his role to that of a mother or nurse caring for a child. This verse directly challenges the idea that God—or leadership under God—can only be understood in masculine terms.
Furthermore, scripture is filled with examples of women, like the prophetess Deborah, stepping into powerful roles and embodying divine leadership. Deborah, in particular, is a striking example of a woman chosen by God to lead Israel, both in judgment and in battle. I imagine her sharpening tent pegs right now, ready to challenge any notion that God’s authority is reserved only for men.
In light of this, it seems reductive to box God into a solely masculine framework. Instead, the Bible provides rich imagery of God that transcends gendered categories, offering a more complex and holistic view of the divine.
Curious Christian 
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