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One of the most quintessentially Christian messages is related to the reversal of fortunes, to the exultation of the poor and the demotion of the rich and powerful. The story of Mary and her annunciation embodies the great reversal, which is as tangible and concrete as it is spiritual in nature. In Luke especially, the reversal provides meaningful instruction in how to prepare for God’s judgment. Luke describes the story of Mary and Elizabeth, especially with the “choice of Mary” as an “example of God’s preference for those who do not enjoy abundant prosperity,” (p. 463). However, these passages can be broadly misunderstood and misinterpreted. Luke is not suggesting necessarily that God actively scorns the wealthy. God’s mercy is boundless and infinite. What these passages about fortune reversals imply is that “in an unjust world, the form this universal love takes differs according to circumstance,” (p. 266). The wealthy and powerful need to undergo the transformational process of humility, just as the poor and disenfranchised need to experience the hope and glory of God. Mary’s story exemplifies the uplifting of the poor and powerless to a place of supreme exaltation. The story offers hope to the hopeless, which is why it is especially...
The story of Mary’s annunciation and the reversals of fortune teach endless and timeless truths that can be worked into sermons related to numerous subjects, without isolating any members of the community. For the lowly to be exalted, it is not necessary to demean the powerful but only to show that power does not need to come at the expense of others. Moreover, the Old Testament virtue of righteousness inhabits the reversal of fortunes. Righteousness is not the province of either rich or poor; righteousness comes from total and absolute faith in God and compliance with God’s covenant. Given Mary’s exultation, humility is critical for righteousness. Mary defines herself as being “lowly,” and “not a metaphor for spiritual humility but based on her actual social position,” (p. 265). Lowly social positions, positions of oppression, pain, persecution, and despair will be reversed to empower those who are righteous and humble in the eyes of the Lord. Reversal of fortune is critical for fulfilling God’s promise to His people.
The story of Mary also reveals the power of paradox. Luke juxtaposes Mary’s…
God in Genesis The nature and character of God, as found in the Bible and in human consciousness, is a widely disputed and contested field of debate. The reason for this is the very nature of God as ephemeral and unknowable. Human beings can surmise ideas from God from religious texts and their own experience. However, no human being can claim to know the true nature of God. This fact seems
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Medea: Since Medea was born as the Princess of Colchis and the niece of Circe, she was a powerful sorceress. Medea fell in love with Jason through the little help she received from Hera when on his quest for the Golden Fleece. Medea helped Hera to steal the sacred artifact for her beloved and received abduction in return. Medea had numerous adventures in her life including murdering her brother to distract
God and Science The art of philosophy, demonstrated throughout history in all its arguments, present certain obstacles and contextual distortion for the state of humanity. There is no doubt it is worthwhile then, to examine some of the most troubling and difficult philosophical issues of the day. The idea of God and its role in humanity and its science will probably never be settled however the discussion itself helps create new
Nietzsche pressed humanity to realize that God is an invention of human creativity, and that we can no longer accept the idea of a divine being outside of ourselves. This was the center of his anthropocentric ideas. Feuerbach and Marx both held beliefs that agreed with Nietzsche (Jeff 19). Marx even referred to religion as the opium of the people. Kant's ideas of reason come back to haunt him