Philip Miller, the current pastor of Moody Church in Chicago, succeeded the long-tenured Erwin Lutzer, is bringing his own pastoral approach to the historic pulpit by weaving contemporary social themes into his preaching. Before Christmas, Miller preached a sermon out of Luke 1 that characterized Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel as “giving her consent” to God’s plan for the Incarnation.
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The claim that Mary “gave her consent” to conceive Jesus is a common claim in some modern evangelical circles, particularly those who are beholden to the modern woke ideologies of agency and consent. However, such a statement is not supported by a cursory reading of the biblical text or a proper understanding of the sovereignty of God. This interpretation arises from a desire to project modern ideas about personal autonomy and consent onto ancient, biblical narratives.
In Luke 1:26-38, the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive and bear a son, Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary’s response—”Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38, ESV)—is an expression of humble submission to God’s will, not a negotiation or granting of consent. Nowhere in the text is Mary portrayed as having the authority to approve or disapprove of God’s plan. Rather, her response reflects a heart of faith and obedience to God’s sovereign decree.
To suggest that Mary “gave her consent” to conceive Jesus isn’t just careless theology, it’s an intentional, calculated move to impose a modern, autonomy-obsessed framework onto the eternal and sovereign work of God. This isn’t a rookie mistake from an undertrained preacher—Miller is fully aware of the theological weight of his words. The only question is: why?
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