I certainly appreciate the biblical scholarship represented in this piece… However, regardless of the original intent of the scriptures, in the minds of most people who define themselves as Christians, there are assumptions about what is meant by male gender. It’s doubtful that most Christians have ever actually contemplated what body parts might linger beneath the robe supposedly worn by Michelangelo’s paternalistic God. And, as most conservative Christians find such details repugnant, any discussion of such a subject is taboo. Still, the God they believe in is male and a “Father.” Therefore, according to their image of God, He logically must possess male genitalia and the capability of producing sperm. This presumption only speaks to an egocentric inability to imagine a god that doesn’t possess human attributes.