“God is not to be seen as male”, according to the first female Bishop to sit in the House of Lords.

Rachel Treweek, Bishop of Gloucester, said that the Church of England should use both male and female pronouns when referring to God.

Treweek made the remarks despite acknowledging that many Anglicans would profoundly disagree.

God is not male

Treweek told the Observer newspaper she personally prefers not to say ‘he’ or ‘she’ but God, adding: “Sometimes I lapse, but I try not to”.

She added: “If I am made in the image of God, then God is not to be seen as male. God is God.”

The Bible … stands as the supreme authority, regardless of changing culture. Colin Hart

Treweek became the first female Bishop in the House of Lords yesterday after being introduced by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Bishop of London, Richard Chartres.

Undermining doctrine

Colin Hart, Director of The Christian Institute, said: “Her comments are undermining the doctrine of the Trinity, one God in three persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

“God’s Word speaks of him as ‘Our Father in heaven’.

“The language of the Bible is not negotiable or changeable. It reveals God’s character to mankind and stands as the supreme authority, regardless of changing culture.”