Christianity is not about the divine becoming human so much as it is about the human becoming divine. That is a paradigm shift of the first order.
Interpretation
The essence of Christianity focuses on the potential for humans to attain divinity rather than just recognizing divine intervention in humanity.
This quote highlights a profound perspective within Christianity, suggesting that the emphasis is not solely on God taking human form, but rather on the transformative journey of humans aspiring to reach their own divine potential. This 'paradigm shift' inspires a more active participation in spiritual growth, encouraging individuals to elevate their own moral and spiritual existence.
In practice
In a sermon, a pastor might use this quote to inspire parishioners about their personal growth.
When I grew up in the South, I was taught that segregation was the will of God, and the Bible was quoted to prove it. I was taught that women were by nature in inferior to men, and the Bible was quoted to prove it. I was taught that it was okay to hate other religions, and especially the Jews, and the Bible was quoted to prove it.
The church is like a swimming pool. Most of the noise comes from the shallow end.
I would like the church to be a place where the questions of people are honored rather than a place where we have all the answers. The church has to get out of propaganda. The future will involve us in more interfaith dialogue. ... We cannot say we have the only truth.
It appears to be in the nature of religion itself to be prejudiced against those who are different.
The cross reveals that we're called to a deeper, fuller experience of what it means to be alive and open to new dimensions of life which our religious boundaries - creeds, atonement theologies - have kept us from experiencing.
When the dust settles and the pages of history are written, it will not be the angry defenders of intolerance who have made the difference. The reward will go to those who dared to step outside the safety of their privacy in order to expose and rout the prevailing prejudices.
Faith is the choice of the nobler hypothesis.' Not the noblest, one never knows what that is. But the nobler, the best one can see when the choice is made.
This be my pilgrimage and goal Daily to march and find The secret phrases of the soul, The evangels of the mind.
Of course God does not consider you hopeless. If He did He would not be moving you to seek Him (and He obviously is). What is going on in you at present is simply the beginning of the treatment. Continue seeking with cheerful seriousness. Unless He wanted you, you would not be wanting Him.
The cleverer I am at miniaturizing the world, the better I possess it.
Better not be at all than not be noble.
But as for Aslan himself, the Beavers and the children didn't know what to do or say when they saw him. People who have not been in Narnia sometimes think that a thing cannot be good and terrible at the same time. If the children had ever thought so, they were cured of it now. For when they tried to look at Aslan's face they just caught a glimpse of the golden mane and the great, royal, solemn, overwhelming eyes; and then they found they couldn't look at him and went all trembly.
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