GameBanshee Forums

Originally posted by EMINEM:
<STRONG>
"Pneuma" being gender neutral is true enough, but in John 14:26, 15:26, and 16:8-14, the emphatic pronoun "ekeinos" ("He") is used of the Spirit in the masculine.

Also keep in mind that the Spirit goes by other names, a prominent one being the "Paraclete," or Comforter, who would remain with the disciples after Jesus returned to the Father. Paraclete/Comforter
corresponds to the name "Menahem," given by the Hebrews to the Messiah (Anointed One, King), who they took for granted to be male.</STRONG>

According to The New Analytical Greek Lexicon: "ekeinos, h, o, nom. sg. m. demonstrative pron. used with reference to a thing previously mentioned or implied, or already familiar; that, this, he, etc."

I understand that the Spirit is called by several names/titles. You mention the term "Paraclete" which derives from the Greek term parakletos, "one called or sent for to assist another" (New Analytical Greek Lexicon again). This noun is masculine. However, I was referring specifically to the term "holy Spirit", which is always necessarily neuter.

My point was not that the Spirit is always exclusively referred to as neuter. My point was that the Spirit is not exclusively referred to as specifically male -- or as specifically female.

This is something akin to my earlier post regarding the complementary masculine and feminine images of God the Creator found throughout the Bible.

[ 09-07-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]

*Viv stumbles in, eyes widening. She quickly shuffles her Greek dictionary and Greek New Testament in the back of her closet. She then hides her Hebrew dictionary under the couch. *whew* Her brain cells are now safe*

Loner: What do you think of Mary? (I'm know this is off track, but I'm interested) I'm not Catholic, but I've been often interested by the place Mary has in the Catholic Church.

I believe that God is a male... because the whole Bible calls God a male. I mean what more evidence do you need. Have you ever seen God called a "she" in the Bible? Or "Mother"?

But you don't have to listen to me... I'm just the average bleach blond global destruction weapon possessing Arabic tenderheart.... ^.^ Boo...