Nancy Pelosi may be one of the most consequential politicians of our time. Her political career began in 1976, and she is now one of the most powerful women in America and the world. Pelosi is also known for her ultra liberal ideas.

Pelosi’s latest “stunt” has to do with certain House rules she recently issued for Congress. In the rules, she proposes the adoption of gender-neutral pronouns for the United States House of Representatives. Why is this important? Nancy, who is a self-proclaimed Catholic has apparently forgotten to read her Bible.

God clearly delineated man and woman to be male and female (Genesis 1:27). The Hebrew term used for man in Hebrew is the root word for woman (ish/man and ishah/woman) – Genesis 2:23. These terms are simple to understand. But the Speaker of the House is trying to redefine the way we perceive gender. For her, gender is a social construct. It is not inherit to human beings who were born with male and female bodies, created in the image of God.

Among the proposed gender-inclusive language are the following changes: 1) seamen to be changed to “seafarers,” 2) father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, father-in-law, or mother-in-law for ‘‘parent, child, sibling, spouse, or parent-in-law’,” and himself or herself to “themself.” I wonder if the Speaker is going to call the Catholic Church and ask them to please change all references to wife and husband, father and mother, for instance, found in Ephesians 5–6 and Colossians 3. Not to mentioned every other, now, “inappropriate” gender non-neutral terms in the Bible.

Likely not! Why? Because if you go to Nancy Pelosi’s official government website she is touted in big letters as “Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi – California’s 12th District.” Maybe medicine tastes better in other people’s mouths?

“Amen” and “Awoman”

Well, if the redefinition of gender terms begins with Congress, why not let Representative Emanuel Cleaver take the charge? The Congressman (or Congressperson, to be more politically correct), “prayed” before Congress as a guest chaplain. Here’s the conclusion of his prayer:

“And dare I ask, oh Lord, peace even in this chamber now and evermore, We ask it in the name of the monotheistic god, Brahma, and god known by many names by many different faiths. Amen and awoman.” 

Cleaver is an ordained United Methodist Pastor. He is also a heretic. Why? because Brahma, and other “gods” from “different faiths” are not the same as the God of the Bible. The Triune God of Scripture is distinct from all other references to higher powers from other world religions. Christians believe God is three persons, but of one essence. He is three in one.

God maintains his uniqueness and unity of essence without separation. Matt Perman summarizes, “The doctrine of the Trinity means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Stated differently, God is one in essence and three in person. These definitions express three crucial truths: (1) the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinct Persons, (2) each Person is fully God, (3) there is only one God.”

This doctrine is not only foundational to Christian faith and doctrine, it is a theological non-negotiable. Cleaver’s mention to Lord is certainly confusing … Which “Lord” is he referring to? Why mention Brahma, a Hindu god, and not the God of the Bible or Jesus? Did he also forget that most Christians end their prayer with “In Jesus’ name, Amen”?

Finally, his confusion is astounding for he “genderizes” the Hebrew word “Amen.” Amen is an adverb which is derived from the Hebrew root word ʾāmán. In its various forms it means “faithful,” “reliable,” and even “truth.” So when someone finishes their prayer with “Amen,” they are simply agreeing that the words spoken are true. Some even translated it as “so be it” or “let is be so.”

Conclusion? “Amen” is not an English word, therefore, there is no etymological warrant for Cleaver’s “awoman” reference. He should not have “men-tioned” it, because now I am offended and so should all Christian men and women (or … “Christian persons”).

I could like to offer Congressman Cleaver a Scriptural reminder from a trinitarian passage, which may help him truly understand the Christian faith he so claims to adhere:

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:14–21

My prayer for Congressman Cleaver, with my sincerest desire, is that next time he prays, he will pray to the one and only true God. Amen!

Written by Daniel Messina