If the Lord has no gender, then why is the lord referred to as “he” over a “she”, or more accurately, what a gender neutral term?

(This answer is brought to us by Jay Scribner.)

Specifically it has to do with the background of his name, and more specifically, the essence of who He is. Common biblical names for God are Elohim, Jehovah, The Lord. There are volumes written about His name/names, but the essence of His name has to do with: Absolute Deity, the Existing One, the One of underived existence, the Mighty One, the Almighty. In every instance, it is recognized grammatically from a masculine perspective.

The real essence however, of understanding that God should be reverently recognized in the masculine gender has to do with who He is. He is the “father” within the trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). Jesus Himself referred to God as “Father” (i.e. John 17). Scripture clearly identifies the fact that “a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). This, of course, is fulfilled in Matthew 1:23 “a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and they shall call his name Emmanuel which being interpreted is God with us.”

He is masculine gender grammatically, theologically, and practically.