[MEGoody]

"Isn't a body required to be a he or her?"

Yes, if you are thinking of genitalia. But 'maleness' and 'femaleness' are often thought of as something other than genitalia.

God the Father is provider, protector, etc. The best way to explain it is to say it's a 'characteristics' thing.

[stuartcr]

You're the one that originally brought up the genitalia. Mothers are providers and protectors too., why not just say God, and leave all gender out of it?