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Reading scripture through liberation, equality, and advocacy for the marginalized.
Key question: “How does this text speak to issues of justice, equality, and the liberation of the oppressed?”
21220 illustrations found
"God's thoughts subvert human assumptions—especially assumptions of the powerful. Our 'common sense' often serves empire; God's ways overturn it. His thoughts judge our nationalism, our economics, our hierarchies. Divine transcendence is not comforting to the comfortable but to the marginalized." — Walter Brueggemann.
"Power, love, and sound mind—these counter the fear that systems use to control. Empire thrives on fear; God's Spirit gives courage to resist. Love is political when it defies hate. Sound mind questions propaganda. The Spirit makes us dangerous to oppression." — Barbara Brown Taylor.
"Empire produces anxiety—scarcity mentality, competitive striving, fear of not having enough. Jesus counters: 'Do not worry.' This is resistance to the anxiety economy. Trust in God's abundance subverts the empire's lie that we must grasp and hoard to survive." — Walter Brueggemann.
"More than we imagine—including justice we cannot yet envision. God's shalom exceeds our best social programs; His kingdom surpasses our progressive dreams. The power at work is for transformation beyond our categories. Imagine justice; God does immeasurably more." — Walter Brueggemann.
"God's Word illumines paths of justice. The prophetic word exposes darkness—injustice, oppression, exploitation. Scripture is not just personal guidance but public light: showing the way toward beloved community, exposing the paths that lead to death. Light for the journey toward justice." — Walter Brueggemann.
"Isaiah speaks to exiles—displaced, threatened, overwhelmed. The waters are empire's chaos; the fire is persecution's heat. God promises presence to the marginalized, the refugee, the displaced. When systems overwhelm, when powers threaten, God accompanies through." — Walter Brueggemann. Progressive: God with exiles.
"We need wisdom for the complex work of justice—not simple answers but discerning wisdom. God gives generously to those seeking to know how to act justly, love mercy, walk humbly. Pray for wisdom that sees systems, understands root causes, knows...
"Every tear wiped—tears of injustice, oppression, exploitation. No more death from poverty, from violence, from neglect. This vision indicts present arrangements and energizes present resistance. The coming world without tears judges the tear-causing systems of this world." — Walter Brueggemann.
On March 17, 1776: American Revolution: The British Army evacuates Boston, ending the Siege of Boston, after George Washington and Henry Knox place artillery in positions overlooking the city. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact.
On November 17, 1511: Henry VIII of England concludes the Treaty of Westminster, a pledge of mutual aid against the French, with Ferdinand II of Aragon. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about showing Christ-like compassion to others.
This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery. Consider using it when preaching about discovery.
This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preaching about leadership.
Teaching on Confession and Self-Examination from Evagrius Ponticus: Evagrius on Naming the Thoughts
catholic devotional prayer by Bernard of Clairvaux
This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about God's creation and human discovery. Consider using it when preaching about discovery.
orthodox confession prayer by Ephrem the Syrian
anglican intercession prayer by Church of England
On October 2, 939: Battle of Andernach: Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, crushes a rebellion against his rule, by a coalition of Eberhard of Franconia and other Frankish dukes. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about...
This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when preaching about leadership.
On March 20, 1921: The Upper Silesia plebiscite, mandated by the Versailles Treaty to determine a section of the border between Weimar Germany and Poland, is held. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit...
On December 15, 1161: Jin-Song wars: Military officers conspire against the emperor Wanyan Liang of the Jin dynasty after a military defeat at the Battle of Caishi, and assassinate the emperor at his camp.
Until 1996, the day is celebrated as the Independence Day of Belarus; after a referendum held that year, the celebration of independence is moved to June 3. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation.
This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when preaching about history.
On December 25, 1837: Second Seminole War: American general Zachary Taylor leads 1,100 troops against the Seminoles at the Battle of Lake Okeechobee. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.