Finding the Maternal Divine in Contextual Realities of Motherhood

Abstract: The predominance of patriarchy in Christian communities has supported paternal metaphors over maternal analogues for describing God's action in the world. Feminist theologians have long advocated for the inclusion of women's experiences in God-talk, but navigating how to incorporate maternal imagery for the divine presents numerous pitfalls. This article draws on an expansive definition of motherhood that includes varied social and biological constructions of motherhood to illuminate how experiences of reproductive loss, transgender pregnancy, spiritual motherhood, and maternal grief and activism help envision a trinitarian maternal divine characterized by compassion and a zeal for justice. Ultimately, the article argues that troubling the category of "mother" can generate creative applications of maternal metaphors that remind us of the impassibility and interdependence of God. It also aims to challenge the notion that motherhood must be lauded and upheld over and above other metaphors for God in the world.