Thought so. 

God is Spirit, rather than "a Spirit" the same way that He is light.  It is part of the nature of Yahweh.  However, that same thing can be said for the appellation "Father" (or "Abba"). It is the nature of God as Creator to bring into being ("beget") and that is the function of a father. Jesus is not using "metaphor" when He calls Yahweh "Father."

It is not a cultural accommodation to refer to God as male. However, it is clear that both male and female are created in God's image. God has set up roles for human government, starting with the family. As a rule, the male is supposed to have the leadership role. The pattern goes all the way back to Genesis 3.

Question 6. How could God who ordered the destruction of people that didn't even know Him, including infants who are innocent, be a loving and merciful God?

This is a question that atheists ask of me all the time. Let's see what you guys got.

The answer to that is found in Romans 1.  Not knowing Yahweh as God does not exempt one from the responsibility for sin.  Each of us have a conscience that knows instinctively what is right.  For our own reasons, we will go against that inner knowledge and incur guilt.

As for innocent infants, there are none.  The guilt of the elect infants (which may be all of them, but that is not easily defended from the Bible) is covered just like that of the elect adults -- by the death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The bottom line is that God will show mercy on some, and pour out his wrath upon the unrepentant. Mercy is not universal, or it would not be mercy. God is the one who judges sin, and only those who believe have had that judgment covered by Jesus. There will be a judgment day, and God is the Judge. Before that, judgment comes along the way as typological of the Final Judgment. 

The atheist's rejection of the reality of judgment is a primary reason for much of their unbelief. They read the Bible selectively and condemn God for doing what He said He would do. The teaching of the love and mercy of God is never meant to be universally applied. There are two humanities (Psalm 1) -- the Righteous and the Sinners. The two paths lead in opposite directions.

Question 7. Was Marcion correct when he said that the God of the Old Testament and God of the New seemed very different (Marcion took this to mean that they were different Gods)?

In a word, no.  I can elaborate later.

This thread seems to be very popular. Wouldn't it to be better to create seperate threads for each question rather than consolidating all of them into one? I understand having one thread can make answering easier, but seperate threads it not only standard pratice but makes each question more readable by those not familair with the site and allows deeper exploration into a topic.

This is more of a game to test the knowledge of others. These aren't necessarily questions we struggle with, but we are asking them for the fun of it.

Ah I see. I guess quick Q&A is fine but as always for all users posting here more detailed questions shuld have their own thread in Bible Questions.

Of course. The point of the thread is described in the OP.