Media and music are media used to transmit a person's perspective and ideas to the general population. This medium can persuade a person to observe the musician or actor/actress's observations as truthful. Sometimes media and music are used to express the emotional state of being of the artist, such as happiness, anger, or lamentation. However, one of the difficulties of listening to music or watching movies is that it is sometimes difficult to recognize what the artist is attempting to communicate in their lyrics or movie roles. Such is the case with the song performed by singer Halsey called "I'm Not A Woman I'm A God." This song is the lead single from her fourth album titled, If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power, composed by Halsey, Trent Reznor (songwriter & musician), and Atticus Ross (songwriter & musician).
Similarly, "I'm Not A Woman, I'm A God," much like the Ariana Grande song, "God Is A Woman" is not about God. Some listened to these songs and have believed that both songs are an anthem for female empowerment. Some people are convinced that due to the nature of the extremes in the song's chorus, other listeners were convinced that Halsey could have been talking about her Bipolar diagnosis. However, according to Halsey concerning this song in an interview is sympathetic to people who believe or want to adopt this song as a message for women's empowerment. In an interview acknowledging this point communicated this song had a different message when she commented, "Everyone's like, 'Oh, it's like this is a girl-power album,' and I'm like, 'No, it's not,'" she asserted. "The lead single is 'I am not a woman, I'm a god,' [is] not a girl power album. From jump, I'm like, 'I'm not a woman.' [...] Being pregnant, writing this album, people are expecting girlishness, you know what I mean? And any time where I ever talk about womanhood, motherhood, femininity, I'm usually talking about it with a taste in my mouth, you know what I mean?" (Nylon.com, 2021).
The fascinating observation about Halsey's statement is that the qualities and functions that make her and all women unique (i.e., womanhood, motherhood, femininity) are the things that bring about "a taste in her mouth." According to this statement, it would seem that her perception of these qualities a woman possesses is somewhat negative. more than likely due to other people's concept of what these qualities of a woman are. Considering her statements, how ought one to observe her song and her comments in light of the Scriptures?
In Genesis chapter one, the historical account detailed the creation of the earth by God. In six days God, by the words He spoke created the sky, seas, earth, vegetation, the heavenly bodies (sun, moon, and stars), and all of the creatures and insects (Genesis 1:1-25). The last creation God made was humankind-which consisted of male and female. In this account, God declared that male and female be made in His image and likeness (imago Dei). This announcement by God was unique, considering that these qualities that humanity would have would not be found in any other created thing that God had made. This quality in male and female is so unique God had made this a reason for a person not to murder another person (Genesis 9:5-6). The details of how God created male and female can be found in Genesis chapter two. The book of Genesis detailed that God took the dust of the ground and formed (yāsar) man (like a potter molds clay) (Genesis 2:7). However, when it came to the woman, God had fashioned, or built (bānâ), woman (Genesis 2:22). Whereas God spoke all of the created things, He had made into existence, and God had taken personal care to fashion this creation that would be made in His image and likeness.
The substance and the nature of women and the function and ability of women from the perspective of God are extremely important. According to Genesis 1:26, women were created in the image of God, and before the fall of humanity, had the responsibility of ruling over the creation that God had made (Genesis 1:28). Furthermore is the female that has been given the natural ability to bear children. Paul used this specific point to underscore that women ought to be cherished because even though the first woman came out of man, and every man on the earth came from the womb of a woman (c.f., 1 Corinthians 11:12). Once they have a child, women carry the responsibility to function as a mother, serving the child with wisdom and knowledge with the purpose that they would make wise decisions in their life (Proverbs 6:20), and teach their son/daughter God's word (c.f., 2 Timothy 1:5). The goal of this caring and raising their child is that the son/daughter would establish a personal relationship with a member of the opposite sex (c.f., Genesis 2:24).
The attribute of femininity is also very important to God. From God has established reality, femininity is observed biologically as the physical and anatomical parts differ from that of a male. Furthermore, we see the quality of women also expressed throughout the Biblical text as being productive and industrious (Proverbs 31:12-15, 19), she is intentional in the way that she lives her life (Proverbs 31:17-26), she cares for others and assists those in need (Proverbs 31:20), who supports and cares for her husband and children (c.f., Proverbs 31:12, 15), who is wise in her instruction and conduct as she guides those around her in God's word (Proverbs 31:26), and her husband supports and loves her (Proverbs 31:11). This character found in these statements by Solomon is not just exclusive to women who are married. Peter wrote that women who are believers in Christ are not merely known for their external features but ought to be known for their character and conduct (First Peter 3:3-4).
God's perspective admires and cherishes women. One such example is observed in the Law of Moses that if a person by an act of violence caused a woman to have a miscarriage, they were to provide financial compensation for that woman (Exodus 21:22). If a person had taken advantage of a woman physically, that man was to be committed to the woman in marriage (Exodus 22:16). The value of women could also be observed in the Hebrew literature of the Old Testament. Solomon personified wisdom as a female (Proverbs 8:1-36) and wrote that a husband is to enjoy his life with his wife under the sun sweeter to live (Ecclesiastes 9:9). During the time of the Judges for the nation of Israel, some women rescued and guided Israel in the Law of God. At the start of the church's economy, there was a married couple, Priscilla and Aquilla, who took a man by the name of Apollos aside and taught him the Scripture more accurately (Acts 18:24-26). There were prophetesses that assisted the saints throughout the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures (Exodus 15:20, Second Kings 22:14, Second Chronicles 34:22, Luke 2:36-38). At the end of his letters, Paul would give recognition to many of the people who assisted him throughout his ministry (Romans 16:3, 6, Second Timothy 4:19), recommend women for service to other saints, and that they ought to be recognized by those saints (c.f., Romans 16:1-2). Older woman are to be recognized by their nature and function (1 Timothy 5:2-3). Older women were to be intentional in instructing younger women to be intentional in all three of these areas concerning their familial relationships (Titus 2:3-5). Ultimately women who believe in Christ will ultimately be glorified as their male counterparts (1 Corinthans 15:50-58), and will be evaluated and honored by Christ for their intentional living and motivations (First Corinthians 4:5, Second Corinthans 5:9-10)
Three points are troubling about the statement that Halsey makes in this song. One is the messaging. Even though the song, much like Ariana Grande's song "God is a woman" is not about God, the very sentence itself is making a theological statement, and a young girl or a woman who may take this a female empowerment song may use this as a mantra in their mind to convince themselves they ought to think of themselves in this manner-as a god. Another is that some individuals may have a preconceived idea based on the philosophical presuppositions they have adopted, what "girlishness" ought to be. As a result, Halsey said this is what leaves a taste in her mouth. However, according to the Biblical worldview, one thing is clear: being a woman has to do with two things: one's physical qualities and one's character. In his various letters, Paul wrote that a woman, by contrast to the message of the culture, ought not to be known by her external features but by her character, which is a result of her identity in Christ (c.f., Ephesians 1:1-14, 5:1-21). Third, it could also be in the realm of possibility that the reason why this statement in her song is because she can create and hold life, as in her new baby (This point was underscored in Ariana Grade's video "God Is A Woman" also). However, although unique in women, this ability is not proof that Halsey is a god, as God can create and order things by speaking them into existence (Genesis 1:1-26). It is God that provided males and females a spirit (Genesis 2:7, Proverbs 20:27, Zechariah 12:1). Rather, this ability women have to conceive and bear children demonstrates that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-wise (c.f., Romans 1:18-20). Furthermore, no woman without the willingness of a human male counterpart can produce human life. Even if a woman uses artificial means to bear children, the woman must depend natural biological function from the male reproductive system to conceive a child.
It would appear the song itself, according to Halsey, is from two perspectives: From her perspective of how she thinks of herself and how others have thought of her concerning feminity, womanhood, and motherhood. These concepts, unfortunately, have left her with a negative outlook due to how others have perceived these qualities. However, from a Biblical perspective, these qualities of feminity, womanhood, and motherhood are unique and special only to females as they have the physical qualities to function in this manner. Furthermore, the Biblical worldview holds women in high standing in all areas of life due to these attributes, especially women who desire to bear the responsibility of motherhood, and ought to be cherished and valued. Furthermore, women have been given the incredible ability to have children, underscoring God's invisible and divine attributes.
Halsey is not a god, but the qualities of womanhood, feminity, and motherhood emphasize that she and all women are uniquely created in the imago Dei (the image of God).
Until Next Time...
Soli Deo Gloria!
Dr. LS