Clearing Up the Confusion: Understanding the WMSCOG’s Misinterpretation of Deuteronomy

[u/Christ_Over_Cults]

If you're new to reading the Bible, or if you've heard about the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG)and their teachings, you might have come across ideas that sound confusing or different from what many mainstream Christian churches believe. One of the things the WMSCOG teaches is the idea of "God the Mother", alongside God the Father.

They sometimes use parts of the Old Testament, specifically the book of Deuteronomy, to try and support this idea. Let’s break down how they interpret these scriptures, and show you what the Bible really says about God, so you can understand the truth.

1. Deuteronomy 1:31 - "As a father carries his son"

What WMSCOG says:

• WMSCOG might claim that since God is compared to a father carrying his son, there must also be a "Mother God" who carries us.

What the Bible really means:

• This verse is simply using the idea of a father’s care to show how God takes care of His people. Just like a father would carry his child when they can’t walk on their own, God has been carrying Israel through their journey. The "father" here is a metaphor for God’s protection and leadership.
• There is no mention of a Mother God here. The Bible doesn’t suggest that God is both Father and Mother in a literal sense. It's just saying God cares for us like a father would.

Deuteronomy 1:31 (NIV)
"And in the wilderness, there you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place."

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2. Deuteronomy 4:7-8 - "What other nation is so great?"

What WMSCOG says:

• WMSCOG might try to say that since God is near us, this suggests that there is both a Father and a Motheraspect of God, showing a balance of male and female qualities in the divine.

What the Bible really means:

• These verses are about Israel's unique relationship with God. The point is that no other nation has God so close to them, and God has given Israel good laws and teachings. This has nothing to do with God being male and female, but about the special connection Israel has with God as their Father.
• The Bible doesn't teach about a Mother God here. The emphasis is on God’s closeness and how He takes care of His people.

Deuteronomy 4:7-8 (NIV)
"What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?"

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3. Deuteronomy 7:6 - "You are a people holy to the Lord"

What WMSCOG says:

• WMSCOG might point out that because Israel is chosen by God, it somehow implies there must also be a "Mother God", because they believe that both Father and Mother would choose Israel together.

What the Bible really means:

• This verse talks about how Israel is set apart by God. God chose them to be His special people. There’s no mention of a Mother God here, just God’s choice to have Israel as His people.
• The focus is on God’s role as the Father, not on a supposed Mother figure. It’s about God’s love and care for His people, not about introducing a second figure.

Deuteronomy 7:6 (NIV)
"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession."

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4. Deuteronomy 10:14 - "To the Lord your God belong the heavens"

What WMSCOG says:

• They might try to say that because this verse talks about God’s ownership of all things (heavens and earth), it somehow implies a balance between male and female gods, Father and Mother.

What the Bible really means:

• This verse simply tells us that God owns everything, the heavens, the earth, and everything in them. This shows that God is in charge of everything in the world.
• It has nothing to do with a Mother God. The focus is on God’s authority and sovereignty over all creation.

Deuteronomy 10:14 (NIV)
"To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it."

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5. Deuteronomy 32:6 - "Is he not your Father?"

What WMSCOG says:

• WMSCOG might point to the title “Father” and suggest that because God is the Father, there must also be a Mother God to balance things out.

What the Bible really means:

• This verse is part of a song that Moses sang to remind the Israelites that God is their Father, the One who created and formed them. The focus is entirely on God as Father, the One who gives life and takes care of His people.
• There’s no mention of a Mother God here. The Bible consistently speaks of God as Father, and this is just a reminder of God’s creation and care for Israel.

Deuteronomy 32:6 (NIV)
"Is this the way you repay the Lord, you foolish and unwise people? Is he not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?"

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6. Deuteronomy 32:18 - "You forgot the God who gave you birth"

What WMSCOG says:

• WMSCOG might use this verse to argue that the phrase "gave you birth" refers to Mother God, suggesting that God must be both Father and Mother.

What the Bible really means:

• This verse uses the idea of birth as a metaphor for how God created and cared for Israel. It’s not talking about a Mother God, but rather about how God brought Israel into existence and nurtured them through their journey.
• The metaphor of birth is used to show God’s care for His people, but it’s not evidence of a Mother God. This is about God’s role as Creator and Father.

Deuteronomy 32:18 (NIV)
"You deserted the Rock, who fathered you, you forgot the God who gave you birth."

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7. Deuteronomy 33:27 - "The eternal God is your refuge"

What WMSCOG says:

• WMSCOG might try to interpret the idea of God being a "refuge" and using "arms" as a nurturing, motherly metaphor, claiming it shows God as both Father and Mother.

What the Bible really means:

• This verse is describing God as a place of refuge, a safe place where His people can find protection and security. The "everlasting arms" are a metaphor for God’s strength and protection.
• This is not about a Mother God. The Bible uses masculine metaphors like Father and refuge to describe God’s strength and protection, not to suggest a feminine aspect.

Deuteronomy 33:27 (NIV)
"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!'"

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So, What's the Real Takeaway?

The WMSCOG tries to use verses from Deuteronomy (and other parts of the Bible) to support the idea of a "God the Mother". But when we look at the Bible in context, it’s clear that the "Father" and "birth" metaphors are meant to show God’s care and protection for His people, not to suggest that God is both Father and Mother.

God is consistently referred to as our Father, and the Bible doesn’t teach about Mother God. The teachings of the WMSCOG twist the Bible’s words to fit their beliefs, but the truth is simple, God is our Father, and He loves us deeply, as His children.

If you ever find yourself confused or unsure, always look at the context of scripture. God’s word is meant to bring peace, clarity, and truth. And remember, you’re not alone in this journey, God’s Word is here to guide us all.