Catholic Illustrations
Sacramental life, apostolic tradition, Magisterium.
Key question: βHow does this connect to sacramental grace and Church teaching?β
14907 illustrations found
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, we read this passage as a profound exposition of the eschatological hope grounded in the sovereignty of God and the assurance of salvation through covenantal faithfulness. This text reminds us of the already/not yet tension inherent in the Reformed tradition: Christ's vict
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Psalm 24:1-6
We read Psalm 24:1-6 as a proclamation of God's sovereign ownership and holiness. The earth's fullness rests under God's dominion, affirming His sovereign grace over creation. This passage anticipates Christ, the ultimate King of glory, who fulfills the requirements of clean hands and a pure heart,
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Romans 1:18-23
We read Romans 1:18-23 as a declaration of God's righteous wrath against human ungodliness and unrighteousness, revealing the universal need for the Gospel. This passage underscores the doctrine of total depravity, highlighting humanity's suppression of truth and idolatry. Within the redemptive-hist
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Philippians 2:5-11 (The Christ Hymn)
We read Philippians 2:5-11 as a profound exposition of the covenant of grace, reflecting the humility and exaltation of Christ within God's sovereign plan of redemption. This passage reveals Christ's obedience unto death as the fulfillment of the covenantal promises, underscoring the doctrines of gr
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Psalm 23:1-6 (The Lord is My Shepherd)
In the Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens tradition, we read Psalm 23 as a profound expression of God's covenantal faithfulness and sovereign care for His elect. The imagery of the Lord as our Shepherd resonates with the covenant relationship established with Israel and fulfilled in Christ, the Good Sheph
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Matthew 6:9-13 (The Lord's Prayer)
We read this passage as a profound articulation of the covenantal relationship between God and His people, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Lord's Prayer is more than a model of personal piety; it is a covenantal appeal, rooted in the unfolding redemptive history that finds it
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Exodus 11:1-10
We read Exodus 11:1-10 through the lens of God's sovereign decree and his covenantal dealings with his people. This passage is a crucial moment in redemptive history, where God's sovereign plan to deliver Israel from bondage in Egypt anticipates the ultimate redemption through Christ. The hardening
Genesis 45:1-15 - Reformed/Calvinist Perspective
In the Reformed tradition, Genesis 45:1-15 highlights God's sovereignty in orchestrating events for His purposes, particularly in the life of Joseph. This passage illustrates covenant theology as it demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises, using even the actions of sinful individuals to fulfill His divine plan for redemption and reconciliation.
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Acts 10:34-35
We read Acts 10:34-35 within the redemptive-historical framework as a pivotal moment in the unfolding of the covenant of grace, demonstrating God's sovereign choice to extend salvation beyond Israel to the Gentiles. This passage highlights the impartiality of God's election, not based on ethnicity o
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: 1 Peter 5:1-5
We read 1 Peter 5:1-5 as a profound exhortation to the elders of the church, rooted in the covenant community that God has sovereignly established. This passage underscores the redemptive-historical role of church leadership as shepherds under the Chief Shepherd, Christ. The call to shepherd the flo
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as a definitive statement on the nature and purpose of Scripture within God's covenantal dealings with his people. The passage affirms that all Scripture is God-breathed, underscoring its divine inspiration and authority as part of God's sovereign decree. It is not merely a
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Hebrews 13:1-6
We read Hebrews 13:1-6 as a call to live out the implications of the covenant of grace in our daily lives. This passage exhorts us to mutual love, hospitality, and contentment, which are fruits of the Spirit worked in us through sovereign grace. The instruction here is not mere moralism but flows fr
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Revelation 11:15-19
We read Revelation 11:15-19 as a consummate vision of the sovereign reign of Christ, the culmination of God's redemptive plan. This passage affirms the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom, where the kingdoms of the world become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ, emphasizing the covenantal promise
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
We read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 as a profound illustration of Christ's sufficiency and God's sovereign grace in the life of the believer. Paul's vision and subsequent 'thorn in the flesh' demonstrate that God's grace is sufficient, even in weakness, underscoring the covenantal promise that God's power
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: 1 John 2:1-6
We read 1 John 2:1-6 as a profound exposition of our advocate, Jesus Christ, who intercedes for us before the Father. This passage underscores the assurance of our salvation, rooted not in our own righteousness, but in the atoning work of Christ, who is the propitiation for our sins. The call to kee
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
We read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 as a foundational text that underscores the centrality of the resurrection in the gospel message. This passage is integral to our understanding of redemptive history, as it affirms Christ's resurrection as the fulfillment and guarantee of God's covenant promises. The ap
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Revelation 3:14-22
We read Revelation 3:14-22 as a solemn warning to the church in Laodicea, which reflects a broader warning to all churches throughout redemptive history. Christ, the true and faithful witness, exposes their lukewarm state, urging them to seek true riches in Him. This passage underscores the necessit
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Ruth 2:1-23
We read Ruth 2:1-23 as a demonstration of God's sovereign grace working through the ordinary events of life, revealing His covenant faithfulness to His people. In this passage, Boaz acts as a kinsman-redeemer, prefiguring Christ, our ultimate Redeemer. The narrative unfolds within the redemptive his
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: 1 Timothy 6:3-10
We read this passage as a clear warning against false teaching and the dangers of covetousness, both of which disrupt the covenant community and defile the pursuit of godliness. This section of 1 Timothy is firmly situated within the redemptive-historical framework where Paul exhorts Timothy to upho
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
We read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 as a passage that affirms the sovereign grace of God in the resurrection and the return of Christ. This text assures us of the hope we have in Christ, emphasizing the certainty of His return and the resurrection of the dead. Our understanding is shaped by the covenant
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
We read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 as a profound commentary on the indispensability of love within the covenant community, situated within the redemptive-historical context of the New Covenant in Christ. This passage emphasizes that spiritual gifts and knowledge, while valuable, are nothing without the lo
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Galatians 3:19-29
We read Galatians 3:19-29 through the lens of God's covenant dealings, emphasizing that the law was a temporary guardian until Christ, the promised seed, fulfilled God's redemptive plan. The law was never intended to save, but to reveal sin and lead us to Christ, who is the culmination of the covena
Applying Compassion - Contemporary Example
When Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), He invites us into a profound relationship rooted in compassion and grace. This truth isnβt merely a doctrinal statement; itβs a call to embody those very...
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Luke 9:18-27
In Luke 9:18-27, we read this passage as a pivotal revelation of Christ's identity and mission within the redemptive history framework. Peter's confession of Jesus as the Christ is not merely a human insight but a revelation granted by sovereign grace. This passage underscores the necessity of under