Holy Heretics: Losing Religion and Finding Jesus · The Sophia Society

God Our Mother w/ Gary Alan Taylor

·34 min·3 clips

A hunter's demand causes his fox spirit wife to leave forever in a story of exiled femininity.

This episode explores the concept of God as Mother, featuring host Gary Alan Taylor of the Holy Heretics podcast. Taylor frames the discussion as part of his season's focus on marginalized spiritual voices. He aims to challenge the dominant image of God as a powerful white man. Taylor critiques the repetitive nature of "deconstruction" podcasting and explains his choice to center underrepresented perspectives. He references the Church of England's recent debate on using inclusive language for God in liturgy. Taylor argues that referring to God exclusively as "Father" stems from patriarchal biblical authorship and was solidified when Christianity aligned with the Roman Empire. He cites theologian Mary Daly's statement, "if God is male, the male is God," to illustrate the social impact of this imagery. The host shares a Celtic folk tale called "The Fox Spirit Woman" about the banishment of the feminine. Scholar Caitlin Matthews is referenced for her view that valuing the divine feminine brings a "whole new way of living." Taylor notes that figurines depicting a Great Mother goddess date back roughly 25,000 years. He mentions author Anne Baring, who links the feminine to a "new planetary consciousness." Within Judeo-Christian tradition, Taylor highlights the feminine Hebrew word for wisdom, *Chokmah*, and its Greek counterpart, *Sophia*. He quotes Proverbs 8, where Wisdom is personified as a female figure present at creation. Rabbi Rami Shapiro is cited describing Wisdom as God's feminine consort and the "ordering principle of creation." Taylor points out that the Hebrew word for spirit, *Ruach*, and the Aramaic *Shekinah* are grammatically feminine. He notes some scholars believe the god Yahweh was once worshipped alongside a consort named Asherah, whose statue allegedly stood in Solomon's temple for 236 years. The host contrasts a nurturing, close "God the Mother" with a distant "God the Father" as lawgiver. He closes by reading a quote from medieval Christian mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg, who described God as a motherly playmate. The episode is educational and conversational, delivered in a reflective and advocacy-oriented tone. Listeners interested in feminist theology, spiritual deconstruction, or expanding their God-concept will find it compelling. Those committed to traditional, masculine-centric Christian doctrine may find its perspectives challenging.

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