Biblical Theologiannes: Mary

It was cold out today.  Very cold.  Chapped-fingers, running-nose, hurting-ears-cold.  Wind-blowing, leaves-swirling, raindrops-floating-cold.  The kind of cold you really don't want to feel without snow on the ground.  Maybe that's the real source of frustration... the painful cold without the delightful snow... the lingering of the temperature in the upper 30's, too chilly but not chilly enough to actually enjoy.  One thing is for sure: that Winter Season I proclaimed was just around the bend, well, she seems to be rounding it right now.  As I said before, though, along with her dark skies come some bright moments... One of which, if you'll pardon my jumping-the-gun, is the Christmas Story.  No, not that one!  (Forget I said "gun." And don't get one; you'll shoot your eye out!)  You know: THE Christmas Story.

Every year about this time, I reopen the gospel account of Luke and lose myself in the Christmas Story all over again.  And every year, it seems, the most striking part to me is this passage from Luke 1:

 ⁴⁶ And Mary said:

    “My soul exalts the Lord, ⁴⁷ And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 

⁴⁸ For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;

    For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed. 

⁴⁹ For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.  

⁵⁰ AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION

    TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM. 

⁵¹ He has done mighty deeds with His arm;

   He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. 

⁵² He has brought down rulers from their thrones,

    And has exalted those who were humble. 

⁵³ HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS;

    And sent away the rich empty-handed. 

⁵⁴ He has given help to Israel His servant, In remembrance of His mercy, 

⁵⁵ As He spoke to our fathers,

    To Abraham and his descendants forever.”

I'd like to introduce you to Mary, Biblical Theologianne.  As is widely accepted, this (literally) iconic lady was only in her mid-teens when she found herself to be the incubator of the Savior of the world.  (You're going to have to pardon a lot of my choices of words/phrases tonight; I'm just in one of those moods.)  A teenager.  A teenager who was also, apparently, not only a poet (singer/songwriter?), but a dang good Old Testament scholar and theologian.  Of course, if one does much Bible reading at all, it's clear that Mary's word choice in her song -- called the Magnificat -- harkens back to psalter-like Old Testament poetry.  In fact, two of the phrases used in the song (those in all caps) are direct quotations from the psalms:

Ps. 103:17

But the lovingkindness of the LORD 

   is from everlasting to everlasting 

   on those who fear Him, 

And His righteousness to children’s children...

Ps. 107:9

For He has satisfied the thirsty soul,
And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good.

What may be a little less obvious is the resemblance and subject relativity to one psalm in particular: 113.  

Let's give the second half of that one a gander, shall we?

⁴ The LORD is high above all nations; 

  His glory is above the heavens.

⁵ Who is like the LORD our God, 

  Who is enthroned on high, 

⁶ Who humbles Himself to behold 

  The things that are in heaven and in the earth? 

⁷ He raises the poor from the dust 

  And lifts the needy from the ash heap, 

⁸ To make them sit with princes, 

  With the princes of His people. 

⁹ He makes the barren woman abide in the house 

  As a joyful mother of children.

  Praise the LORD!

Psalm 113 is what OT scholars label a "praise psalm," written with the purpose of inciting praise to God by His people, the reason for which is pretty obvious if you read the first three verses.  Now, I really could go on and on about Psalm 113; I could write 20 pages on it!  In fact, now that I think about it, I already have... So I guess there's another blog post in the making.  But for now, I'm satisfied to merely say that the most apparent similarity between Psalm 113 and the Magnificat is the idea of God exalting the humble.  But the fact that God lifts the lowly is not the most staggering part: it's the fact that he humbles, even humiliates Himself in order to do so.  In the psalm's case, He must stoop down into the ash heap in order to lift up His people.  In Mary's case, He must bring Himself down so far... to the point of a fertilized human egg, a growing fetus, a screaming baby... in order to "give help to Israel His servant, in remembrance of His mercy."  

Mary understood this.  She understood that God wasn't simply sending the Messiah in flashing lights and trumpet calls and galloping horses.  No, He was doing something much less self-exalting.  Instead of battlecries, He came in baby cries.  And He chose her to swaddle His own Son not because she was somehow "worthy," but because she was humble in heart, one of "the least of these" that her Son would cherish and guard and call others to become.  It's funny -- when the angel Gabriel told her she was "favored of the Lord," she was "perplexed at this statement."  When he told her that she would bear the world's Savior, she trustingly replied, "Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word."  In other words, it seems she was more ready to believe in the impossible birth than in the fact that God favored her.  I believe that's why God favored her.  And as her song shows, it is God's regard for "the humble state of His bondslave" that causes her to rejoice in such beautiful song!

In the past few years, I've given a lot of thought to "biblical womanhood."  A lot of times, it seems to be illustrated by some white-washed Martha-Stewart-esque pastor's wife who likes to sew and craft and cook and clean and do all her husband's bidding.  Now I love crafty things and I value cleanliness, but these are simply not the Bible's mandates for women.  Mary, mother of Jesus -- not yet a wife, mind -- was not noted for doing any of these things, and was certainly not chosen because of her faithfulness in them.  But we can see from her words that she is a fine example of -- and quite literally -- a "biblical woman."  And as such, she was also a theologian -- one who knew and loved God's word and was able to express her own experiences in light of it, teaching others to do the same.  And thankfully, she's not the only one.  Over the next couple of months, I'm going to be delving deeper into the lives of other "Biblical Theologiannes" like Hannah, Miriam and Elizabeth.  I'm not sure yet where this is going to take me (I never was good at sticking to a plan), but I hope you'll share the journey with me.

Stay-At-Home Warrior

What do you want to be when you grow up?  I don't know anymore...  Maybe I never really did.  I've answered that question multiple ways over the last twenty-five years, from "a teacher" to "a farmer's wife" (true) to "a musician," only one of which has yet to come to pass (though dairy farming and gardening are rampant in E's gene pool, so you never know what may come about).  One thing I never answered was "a stay-at-home mom."  Maybe that's because my mom worked full-time since I was a tot, and the world of hard-working, "we can do it" mommas was all I knew.  I know now, of course, that stay-at-home moms have one of the most challenging (but subtly rewarding) jobs of all, but the thought of doing that job alone still gives me the heebie jeebies.  

I think one reason I've resisted the "at home" career path is the stunning lack of glory it involves.  While society still has marginal respect for women who choose to stay at home, the homefront itself doesn't offer much praise.  Let's face it: the hours spent in cleaning, doing laundry, assisting the development of one's own children, and cooking a decent meal don't always generate praise because -- when they're done -- things are as they "ought" to be.  Such chores do not necessarily bring kudos because, honestly, their completion doesn't necessarily bring recognition.  Cleanliness, order, sound children, and food on the table are, in our culture, givens.  Taken for granted.  And maybe that's how they ought to be.  But, still, the lack of praise can be deafening.

That's why I was truly astonished when I came across these words in the Word a few days ago:

The Lord gives the command;

The women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host:

"Kings of armies flee, they flee,

And she who remains at home will divide the spoil!"

Wow.  What a picture.  The women -- not just any women, but ancient, middle-eastern, home-making women -- are the warriors described in this psalm.  As I've noted before, women of biblical times were certainly not given the same influence as men, though we now find their influence to be greater than we may have realized.  (Read about that here and here, and brace yourself for the next installment; I promise, it's really coming!)  But those few women who were noted for their influence were not noted as such because they were stay-at-home women.  In fact, they were the opposite.  (I'm referring to Ruth, Esther, Proverbs 31 Lady, etc.)  This psalm, however, highlights the power of home-making women, at whose proclamation "kings of armies" run away scared, leaving the spoil to be divided among themselves.  And I doubt the spoil of kings of armies included Hoover vacuum cleaners, Avon make-up supplies or KitchenAid Mixers, however American commercialism of the 1950's (which still holds firmly today) may influence what we deem "treasures" to women.  I'll concede, diamonds were probably among the spoil (ahem, dear...).

But I'm forgetting the most important part: "The Lord gives the command."  At His word, even the most traditional, seemingly powerless women are given the strength to fight mighty battles.  Yet, this battle is fought with no weapons, but the words of good tidings.  Again, wow.  What are these "good tidings," then?  If you read the whole psalm, you'll find that it is themed largely around three facts: 

God is Present among His People:

O God, when You went forth before Your people,

   When You marched through the wilderness,      Selah.

The earth quaked; 

   The heavens also dropped rain at the presence of God;

   Sinai itself quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel (vv. 7-8).

God Provides for His People:

God makes a home for the lonely;

   He leads out the prisoners into prosperity... (v. 6).

You shed abroad a plentiful rain, O God;

   You confirmed Your inheritance when it was parched.

Your creatures settled in it;

   You provided in Your goodness for the poor, O God (v. 9-10).

God Protects His People:

A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows,

   Is God in His holy habitation (v. 5).

Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden,

   The God who is our salvation.

                                           Selah.

God is to us a God of deliverances;

   And to God the Lord belong escapes from death (v. 19-20).

These good tidings {God's presence, God's provision and God's protection} are the battle cry of Psalm 68's stay-at-home moms, whose words make armed, bearded men pee their pants and ruthless kings desert their fought-for treasures.  The truth is, the good tidings of ancient women are still our tidings today.  The gospel (which, of course, means "good news") is still our battle cry, for in Jesus we too were made participants in God's presence, provision and protection.  Both women who work outside of the home and stay-at-home moms alike have opportunities to tell these awesome truths to our friends, coworkers and children, not only in what we do but also in what we say.

May we, whatever our current or future job status may be, be great warriors of word, and may our weapon -- the gospel on our tongues -- always bring justice, mercy and peace.  I still don't know if the life of a "stay-at-home" mom is in my future.  The heebie jeebies may have their way yet.  But I know that there is glory in such a calling, and it belongs to God.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth,
Sing praises to the Lord,       
Selah.
To Him who rides upon the highest heavens, which are from ancient times;
Behold, He speaks forth with His voice, a mighty voice.
Ascribe strength to God;
His majesty is over Israel
And His strength is in the skies.
O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary.
The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people.
Blessed be God!

{Psalm 68: 32-35}

*****

Seemingly Appropriate Post Script:

Anne of Green Gables, The Egalitarian

 
If I were a man I think I'd be a minister.  They can have such an influence for good, if their theology is sound; and it must be thrilling to preach splendid sermons and stir your hearers' hearts.  Why can't women be ministers, Marilla?  I asked Mrs. Lynde that and she was shocked and said it would be a scandalous thing.  She said there might be female ministers in the States and she believed there was, but thank goodness we hadn't got to that stage in Canada yet and she hoped we never would.  But I don't see why.  I think women would make splendid ministers.  When there is a social to be got up or a church tea or anything else to raise money the women have to turn to and do the work.  I'm sure Mrs. Lynde can pray every bit as well as Superintendent Bell and I've no doubt she could preach too with a little practice."  
"Yes, I believe she could," said Marilla drily.  "She does plenty of unofficial preaching as it is.  Nobody has much of a chance to go wrong in Avonlea with Rachel to oversee them."

- Anne of Green Gables
(Chapter XXXI)


I love this book for so, so many reasons.

Theologically-Minded Women Needed!

Hello friend,

I'd determined to start this new blog with greater passion and predictability than my last had become, but apparently I'm already having trouble keeping those attributes in mind.  The truth is, my life as it currently is (consisting of school, work, service and, my personal favorite, wifehood) doesn't leave much room for putting words to my musings.  Even so, the musings exist, if only in my mind, and I feel it does them no justice to pass them over in thought only with nothing to show for it.  So, here I am.

I've been trying to keep a list on hand of things that cross my mind worthy of being written about.  Some interesting topics have been pondered lately, so I hope to have time to expound on them soon...  Such as, a woman's role as it relates to theology... That's been a highlight here, as of late.  I've been reading When Life and Beliefs Collide, which at first was a bit of a trudgery (as almost all required textbooks are), but soon became a fount of encouragement and excitement for me.  Truth be told, even as a Bible student, I've never really liked "theology."  That is, I never liked what I perceived theology to be... lifeless study of some god out there somewhere.  And, for some reason, more suited to the musings of men than of women.  I've since discovered what theology really is... a life-long treasure-hunt... but not a hunt for a treasure never really to be found, or even only once found and then spent.  Rather, a hunt for something so great that life-changing pieces of it are found and put to use every single day it is sought, and every single day after which it has been found.  I've discovered theology and its pursuit to truly be an act of worship... something to be pursued by both men and women ... and an act daily forming my worship to be truer and closer to the kind of worship that God deserves.

That said, it's now time for me to get to another sort of act of worship, if thought of correctly... Time for me to go to class.  :)  But I'll be back, more musings in tow, shortly.  Till then, think about it... What role does theology play in your life?  Do you consider it dull or useless, insofar as it relates to you and your own relationship with God?  If you are a woman, do you consider "doing" theology to be more part of a "man's role", or do you consider it an active part of your own worship?  If the former, what has impressed that thought on you?

                                                                        grace and peace,

                                                                                Carrie