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Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Leviticus 19:34
We read Leviticus 19:34 as a profound testament to God's covenantal faithfulness and sovereign grace. The command to love the stranger as oneself finds its fulfillment in Christ, who embodies the true Israel and opens the covenant to all nations. This passage reminds us of our call to reflect God's
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Leviticus 19:34
We read Leviticus 19:34 through the lens of Law and Gospel. As a command to love the sojourner, this text first functions as Law, exposing our failure to love those who are different from us, hence revealing our sin. Yet, it also points us to Christ, the true Israelite who perfectly fulfills this La
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Leviticus 19:34
We read Leviticus 19:34 as a profound call to love and treat the stranger as one of our own, reflecting the universal nature of the Church, which is 'catholic' in embracing all humanity. This passage is seen as an Old Testament foundation for the Church's teaching on the dignity of every human perso
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Leviticus 19:34
We read Leviticus 19:34 as a divine mandate to embrace and love the stranger as one of our own, recognizing the historical and ongoing marginalization of Black people in America. This passage speaks directly to our experience, reminding us that God calls us to extend the same justice and hospitality
Traditional Lens Commentary: Acts 1:6-11
In Acts 1:6-11, we read this passage as affirming the bodily and visible return of Christ, in accordance with the eschatological hope central to our tradition. The disciples' question about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel signifies a misunderstanding of the nature of Christ's kingdom, which
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Acts 1:6-11
In Acts 1:6-11, we read this passage as a pivotal moment in the unfolding of God's redemptive history, culminating in Christ's ascension. Here, we see the disciples' inquiry about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel, which is reframed by Jesus to emphasize the coming of the Holy Spirit and the
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Acts 1:6-11
In Acts 1:6-11, we read this passage as a powerful moment of Law and Gospel. The Law is evident in the disciples' misunderstanding of Christ's kingdom, revealing human sin and the desire for a theology of glory. The Gospel, however, shines brightly as Christ promises the Holy Spirit, assuring them o
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Acts 1:6-11
We read Acts 1:6-11 as a powerful reminder of the apostolic mission and the foundational role of the Church in the divine plan of salvation. This passage demonstrates the transition from Christ's earthly ministry to His heavenly reign and the beginning of the Church's mission to proclaim the Gospel
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Acts 1:6-11
We read this passage as a call to active witness in the world, empowered by the Spirit of God. The disciples, like our ancestors, yearned for deliverance and asked the resurrected Jesus about the restoration of the kingdom. Jesus responds not with a timeline but with the promise of the Holy Spirit's
Traditional Lens Commentary: Colossians 3:12-14
We read Colossians 3:12-14 as an exhortation to the elect of God to embody Christ-like virtues as evidence of their transformation through the gospel. This passage calls us to put on qualities such as compassion and humility, reflecting the new nature we have in Christ, and is rooted in our identity
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Colossians 3:12-14
We read Colossians 3:12-14 as a profound expression of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the elect. This passage calls the saints to live out their identity as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, manifesting the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Colossians 3:12-14
We read Colossians 3:12-14 as a text that primarily speaks to our baptismal identity in Christ. As those who have been chosen and beloved by God, we are called to put on virtues that reflect our new life in Christ. This passage serves as both Law and Gospel: Law in that it shows us the high standard
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Colossians 3:12-14
We read Colossians 3:12-14 as a call to embody the virtues of the Christian life, rooted in our identity as God's chosen ones. These virtues—compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience—are not merely ethical guidelines but are manifestations of the sanctifying grace received through the s
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Colossians 3:12-14
We read this passage in Colossians 3:12-14 as a clarion call to embody the beloved community, clothed in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. This is a mandate to live in the Spirit's anointing, reflecting the image of God in our relationships. The imperative to forgive as the L
Traditional Lens Commentary: Mark 10:42-45
We read this passage as a clear teaching on the nature of true leadership and service, as modeled by Christ himself. Jesus contrasts worldly authority with the call to servanthood in the kingdom of God. Here, Mark records Jesus' words that greatness in God's eyes is achieved not through domination b
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Mark 10:42-45
We read Mark 10:42-45 in the context of Christ's teaching on servant leadership, but more profoundly, as a revelation of Christ's redemptive work. Jesus contrasts worldly authority with the kingdom ethic of self-sacrificial service, embodied supremely in His own atoning death. In this passage, Chris
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Mark 10:42-45
We read this passage as a definitive illustration of the theology of the cross. Jesus subverts the disciples' understanding of greatness by pointing to his own impending suffering and death as the true path to glory. This is a stark presentation of the Law, as it exposes our human inclination toward
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Mark 10:42-45
In the Roman Catholic Lens tradition, we read this passage as a profound teaching on the nature of true Christian leadership and service, modeled by our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus' call to servanthood ('whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant') is understood within the sacramental an
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Mark 10:42-45
We read this passage as a clarion call for servant leadership rooted in the example of Jesus Christ. In Mark 10:42-45, we see Jesus turning the world's power structures upside down, calling us to lead not by lording over others but through servanthood and sacrifice. This aligns with our experience o
Traditional Lens Commentary: Romans 8:19-22
We read this passage as a profound expression of the creation's eager anticipation for the full revelation of the sons of God, which echoes the hope of redemption and renewal. This text speaks to the fall's pervasive impact on creation, yet it also points to the eschatological hope found in Christ.
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Romans 8:19-22
We read Romans 8:19-22 through the lens of God's sovereign plan of redemption, seeing creation's longing for redemption as intertwined with the hope of the covenant community. This passage speaks to the cosmic scope of God’s redemptive work in Christ, emphasizing that the groaning of creation will c
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Romans 8:19-22
We read Romans 8:19-22 through the lens of the theology of the cross, recognizing that creation itself is subjected to futility, reflecting the deep corruption of sin. This passage is primarily Law, showing the groaning of creation under the weight of the Fall and the curse of sin. Yet, it also hint
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Romans 8:19-22
In the Roman Catholic tradition, we read Romans 8:19-22 as a profound reflection on the eschatological hope that permeates all of creation. This passage speaks to the groaning of creation itself, eagerly awaiting the revelation of the children of God. We interpret this as an indication of the sacram
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Romans 8:19-22
We read this passage as a declaration of creation's yearning for liberation, echoing our own historical cries for deliverance from bondage. Just as creation groans for the revelation of the children of God, we too groan under the weight of systemic oppression, longing for the full manifestation of o