Ramakrishna, the 19th-century Hindu saint, had his own encounter with Christ, after which he proclaimed Him the Redeemer of the world. Nevertheless, he apparently continued to worship Kali. Hindus don't have a problem with diversity in the manifestation of the divine. I also regard Jesus as divine and the Redeemer of the world; but my view of the divine as having manifold manifestations did not always run that way.

I have been blessed with my own personal encounters with the divine. Not many; but when it happens it's impossible for me to regard it as anything else. I've had these both within a traditional Christian context and outside of it; and I've come to know "God" in both male and female manifestations.

Is it possible I am deceived? Of course; but I must do the best I can with what I have.

Several years ago, I ran across a pdf online entitled "The Shekinah Trap" by Sipporah Y Joseph. I'm sure you would find it interesting, because it has copious references to Asherah, the Shekinah, etc. Also, at page 49, the author recounts a personal encounter, a visitation, that he had on the night he renounced what he regarded as the Shekinah heresy: a spirit in the appearance of a "very beautiful woman" clothed in a dress that looked like white light and also fire. The author is very passionate. You might want to take a look at it.

I have had to change my view of Scripture from one of literal inerrancy to one of a gradual unfolding of the revelation of God. It's not that God changes; but man's understanding of God does. On the other hand, one who believes in Jesus, as I do, must regard Him as defined, historical fact; but that doesn't mean that every word written about Him is true.

I have found belief in God as female much more healthy for me emotionally and spiritually than belief in God as male. This is a personal approach; others may find approaching God as male more helpful. I was surprised, when I revisited Jeremiah 44 after many years, to realize I felt sympathy with those who worshipped Asherah.

I think it may be that the reason seeing God as female works better for me is the emotional brutality I suffered as a child. Home, school and church all combined in a way that crippled me. Through knowing God as female I learned at last the reality of unconditional divine love.

Since I take a basically Hindu view of man's apprehension of divine personages, I don't have a problem with the El + Asherah formulation; it's merely Shiva + Shakti in another form. And, as the Hindus say, at a transcendent, meta-rational level, which we cannot apprehend except in spirit, the two are, in the end, One.

These things being said, I do not think it is a loving thing to assail conventional Christians for their beliefs. I'm not suggesting that you're doing it; but many here on Medium seem to take delight in skewering Christians who maintain traditional views. Whatever else that is, it's unloving; and, in my experience, something unloving comes from a dark place, rather than from a place of light.

Thank you for your fascinating post.