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Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan)
We read this passage as a profound illustration of God's sovereign grace, transcending ethnic and religious boundaries, and pointing to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment of the Law. The parable of the Good Samaritan is not merely a moral lesson but a depiction of Christ's redemptive work, where the
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan)
We read this passage as a profound illustration of the Law and Gospel distinction. The parable of the Good Samaritan reveals the depth of the Law's demands — it shows our inability to fulfill God's command to love our neighbor perfectly, exposing our sin and the old Adam within us. Yet, in the figur
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan)
We read the parable of the Good Samaritan as a profound call to embody Christ's love through concrete acts of mercy and charity, recognizing every person as our neighbor. Within the Roman Catholic tradition, this passage is a vivid illustration of the moral sense of Scripture, urging us to live out
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan)
We read the parable of the Good Samaritan as a profound illustration of God's call to radical love and justice, transcending societal boundaries and prejudices. This text speaks to us as a community that has historically been marginalized, reminding us that true neighborliness is found in acts of me
Traditional Lens Commentary: Genesis 3
We read Genesis 3 as the historical account of the fall of man, marking the entrance of sin into the world through Adam's disobedience. This passage reveals the origin of humanity's total depravity and the need for divine redemption. The serpent's deceit and Adam and Eve's subsequent rebellion again
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Genesis 3
We read Genesis 3 through the lens of covenant theology, recognizing it as the narrative where the covenant of works is broken, necessitating the inauguration of the covenant of grace. This passage marks the historical entry of sin into the world, demonstrating humanity's total depravity and the nee
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Genesis 3
We read Genesis 3 through the Lutheran Lens as a foundational text for understanding the distinction between Law and Gospel. In this passage, the Law is vividly displayed through the command not to eat from the tree and the subsequent judgment following Adam and Eve's disobedience. The Gospel, howev
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Genesis 3
In the Roman Catholic tradition, we read Genesis 3 as the narrative of the Fall, where original sin enters humanity through the disobedience of Adam and Eve. This passage underscores the doctrine of original sin, which affects all human beings but is remedied through the grace of Jesus Christ. We se
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Genesis 3
We read Genesis 3 as a story of the rupture in the divine-human relationship, emphasizing the introduction of sin and systemic oppression into the world. The serpent's deception is analogous to the oppressive narratives that have been used to dehumanize Black people, and Adam and Eve's fall represen
Traditional Lens Commentary: John 3:16-17 (For God So Loved the World)
We read John 3:16-17 as a profound declaration of God's love and the centerpiece of the gospel message. This passage affirms the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. It underscores God's initiative in the work of salvation, as He sent His only Son to be the atoni
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: John 3:16-17 (For God So Loved the World)
We read John 3:16-17 as a profound articulation of God's sovereign grace and the unfolding covenant of grace through Christ. This passage reveals God's redemptive plan, highlighting the sending of His Son as the ultimate act of divine love and the means by which the elect are drawn into salvation. T
Lutheran Lens Commentary: John 3:16-17 (For God So Loved the World)
We read John 3:16-17 as a profound proclamation of the Gospel, revealing God's unconditional promise in Christ. This passage assures us that God's love for the world is not contingent on human merit but is an act of grace, given freely in the person of Jesus Christ. The Law is implicit in the contex
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: John 3:16-17 (For God So Loved the World)
In the Roman Catholic Lens tradition, we read John 3:16-17 as a profound affirmation of God's salvific love manifested in the Incarnation. This passage reveals the depth of divine love, which is not merely an abstract concept but a person — Jesus Christ, who enters human history for our redemption.
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: John 3:16-17 (For God So Loved the World)
We read John 3:16-17 as a declaration of God's radical, liberating love for the world — a love that is active, sacrificial, and inclusive. This passage is a cornerstone of our faith, affirming that divine love is not passive but is embodied in the giving of God's Son. We see the sending of Jesus as
Traditional Lens Commentary: Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes)
We read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 as a declaration of the values of the Kingdom of God, spoken by Jesus to His disciples and the crowd. This passage shows us the radical nature of the gospel, where the blessedness is found not in worldly success but in spiritual poverty, mourning over sin, an
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes)
We read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 as a profound illustration of the theology of the cross. Christ here declares blessings not on those who achieve or succeed, but on those who are poor in spirit, mourning, and meek — positions of weakness where God's grace and mercy are most profoundly needed
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes)
We read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 as a profound expression of the Kingdom values that Jesus inaugurates. In our Catholic tradition, these declarations are not merely ethical ideals but realities made possible through the grace of God, particularly through the sacraments. The Beatitudes are se
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Matthew 5:3-12 (The Beatitudes)
We read the Beatitudes as Jesus' manifesto for the Beloved Community, a community built on liberation, justice, and hope. This passage speaks directly to the lived experience of Black people who have been poor in spirit, mourned, and hungered for righteousness. We see Jesus affirming that those who
Traditional Lens Commentary: Matthew 11:2-11 (John's Question from Prison)
In Matthew 11:2-11, we read this passage as a profound confirmation of Jesus' messianic identity and His fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. John the Baptist's question from prison reflects human doubt and the need for reassurance, which Jesus addresses by pointing to His miraculous works as evid
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Matthew 11:2-11 (John's Question from Prison)
We read this passage as a profound moment in the redemptive-historical narrative where John the Baptist, even from prison, points us to the Messiahship of Jesus. John's question, 'Are you the one who is to come?' reflects the eschatological expectation rooted in the covenant of grace. This passage u
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Matthew 11:2-11 (John's Question from Prison)
We read this passage as a profound interplay of Law and Gospel. John's question from prison reveals human doubt and the Law's work in exposing our inability to recognize God's work apart from revelation. Jesus' response, however, is pure Gospel — proclaiming the fulfillment of messianic prophecy, po
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Matthew 11:2-11 (John's Question from Prison)
In the Roman Catholic tradition, we read Matthew 11:2-11 as a profound testimony to the identity of Jesus as the Messiah and the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy. This passage highlights the divine mission of Christ, who brings healing and liberation, signifying the in-breaking of God's kin
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Matthew 11:2-11 (John's Question from Prison)
We read this passage as a powerful testament to the persistent hope and trust in a God who delivers. John the Baptist's question from prison echoes the cries of our ancestors who, even in chains, believed in a God who is faithful to His promises. We see Jesus' response as a declaration of liberation
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Ephesians 6:10-18
We read Ephesians 6:10-18 through the lens of covenant theology, understanding this passage as an exhortation to stand firm in the strength of the Lord because of our union with Christ. The imagery of the armor of God is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God himself is depicted as a warrior.