Commentary and Study



MATTHEW 1:21 - LUKE 1:50 - ISAIAH 61:1-2 - GENESIS 12:2-3 -  JOHN 1:14
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MATTHEW 1:21
27th November 2016
  • Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:

  • Commentary, Holly Hearon, Working Preacher, 2014.
    • Concise Exegesis, Richard Donovan, lectionary.org.
    • Commentary, Matthew 1:18-25, Arland J. Hultgren, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
      • "The evangelist Matthew, in turn, who was a student of the Scriptures, saw the birth of Jesus to be the culmination of the hopes of the past, the fulfillment of the hopes of Israel, and for the sake of the world as a whole."
    • #firstcenturyproblems, Keith Anderson, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2013. Video: "Faces of Poverty: A Single Father."
      • "Jesus' earliest days were lived on the religious, political, and economic margins of his time – marked by homelessness, immigration, and oppression. This fledgling holy family lived a fragile existence."
    • "Matthew's Version of the Incarnation," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2013.
      • "... preach this extraordinary story and promise, Working Preacher: that God comes through ordinary, mixed-up people in order to save ordinary, mixed-up people, and that God comes through a birth like all the millions of other births in the world to promise us freedom from sin, fear, and death and rebirth as the children of God."
    • "Betting on Salvation," Dan Clendenin. The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2013.
      • "So, whose birth, in the words of this ancient inscription, is 'the gospel for the whole world?' Is the Roman caesar lord and god or is the baby of Bethlehem? Is the 'good news' that of political power or of love incarnate?"
    • "Call Him Jesus. No, Emmanuel. Oh, Okay, Jesus," D. Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2013.
    • "Joseph, Praise," Nancy Rockwell, The Bite in the Apple, 2013.
    • "Any News?" Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, 2013.
      • "Let us embrace this child, this God with us. Let us embrace this Good news whatever bad news we may face today or in the days ahead."
    • "Quiet Dismissal," Michael Coffey, 2013.
    • "Unto Us a Child is Born," Robert Cornwall, Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 2013.
    • "You Didn't Hear that from ME!" Linda Fabian Pepe, Theological Stew, 2013.
    • "When is Righteousness Scandalous?" Nanette Sawyer, Question the Text, 2013.
      • "Amy Jill-Levine got me thinking in this direction by her commentary on Matthew in The Access Bible. These women all practiced a kind of righteousness that might appear scandalous. And Joseph is invited to do the same by accepting Mary, even though she is pregnant, not by him."

    • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2013.
      • "The family gathered at the manger are not each other's friends and neighbors, and there are no blood relations among them at all. Mary and Joseph, barely married; the shepherd cowboys, who've never heard of these two before; three foreign dignitaries, not Jewish, not local, and not to be seen ever again; an assortment of patient beasts."
    • "Joseph Models the Embrace of a Child Who Is Radically Unlike Him," Lauren F. Winner, The Hardest Question, 2013.
      • "If you want to welcome a stranger, have a baby."
    • "Just What a Dad Does..." Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2013.
      • "What is most surprising to you about the story of Joseph? Why do you think God chose to 'risk' in this way to come to us?"
    • "Emmanuel," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog. Joseph, from Peculiar Treasures.
      • "What keeps the wild hope of Christmas alive year after year in a world notorious for dashing all hopes is the haunting dream that the child who was born that day may yet be born again even in us and our own snowbound, snowblind longing for him."
    • Comentario del San Mateo 1:18-25, Pablo R. Andinach, Working Preacher, 2013.
    • Commentary, Matthew 1:18-25, Ben Witherington, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
      • "This lection is, of course, one of the prime passages used and preached on during the Christmas season. The challenge is to say something fresh but yet familiar and reassuring about it."
    • Commentary, Matthew 1:18-25, James Boyce, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2007.
    • Commentary, Matthew 1:18-25, Jesse T. Williams, The African American Lectionary, 2009.
      • "A candid look at this text and all of its nuances raises a number of complex sociological questions when we look at it from our post-modern point of reference."

    • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Advent 4A, 2004. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church.
      • "Here's the rule about what happens if you think the woman to whom you're engaged is bearing someone else's child: both the woman and the man whose child it is get death by stoning -- assuming you know the identity of the father, and that the woman is seized in an area in which someone could have heard her screams if she cried out."
    • "First Thoughts on Year A Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Advent 4, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
      • "The Christmas stories always need connecting with the grown up Jesus if they are not to be sentimentalised. Don?t put tinsel around the cross at Christmas. The magic of angels and the virginal conception are the embellishments to enable us to celebrate that life of compassion and self giving."
    • "The Fear of Betrayal," Alyce McKenzie, Patheos, 2010.
      • "Oh, maybe it's just a legend.But I say Joseph is out and about this Advent, toolbox in hand, a model of faith in hopeful outcomes to hopeless dilemmas. Don't expect lots of conversation from him. Expect, rather, a demonstration of how to build a despair-defying staircase."
    • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Matthew 1:18-25, David Ewart, 2010.
      • "Joseph was indeed righteous. But more importantly, he was merciful, faithful, and courageous."
    • "Joseph the Righteous," Advent 4A, Elizabeth Morris Downie, Proclaiming Gospel Justice, The Witness.
      • "Clearly the most dangerous of our coping mechanisms is denying our own roles as Christians in the public arena."
    • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen, at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
      • "Anyway, it seems to me that the translation "God is with us" doesn't completely capture the sense of the Hebrew. The words suggest that "God is in common with us people" -- or "God is one of us." In this sense, John captures the sense with "The Word became flesh and lived among us" (1:14a)."
    • Matthew in the Margins, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
    • Evangelio, Matthew 1:18-25, Osvaldo Vena, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
    • Wellspring of the Gospel, Advent 4A, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
      • "What does Jesus? choice of the word 'abba' tell us about the relationship He had with Joseph?"
    • "God's Call to Joseph," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
      • "The birth of Jesus is primarily a redemptive act, rather than an incarnational act of God."
    • "Not in Control," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
      • "How has life turned out differently than you imagined it? Have you been disappointed or encouraged? Why?"
    • "The Origin of Jesus Christ: Matthew 1:1-25," by Herman C. Waetjen.
      • "Jesus therefore is the integration of both discontinuity and continuity.   As the child of Mary he is a new creation generated by the holy Spirit.  As the adopted son of Joseph he is a descendant of David and Abraham."
    • "Emmanuel: God-Is-With-Us," Advent 4A, Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R., from Sundays Into Silence: Reflections on the Sunday Gospels in the Light of Christian Meditation. Claretian Publications.
      • "We are fairly willing to take responsibility for "our own thing" or our own project but are not very good about supporting what is started by others. But to be a Christian and a Christbearer is precisely to take responsibility for the work of the Spirit."
    • "God is a Grown-Up (Matt 1:1-25, Luke 2:40)," John C. Purdy. Chapter 1 of God With a Human Face (1993), republished at Religion Online.
      • "God not only knows what it is like to be born, God also knows the mystery of childhood. God is a grown-up. God knows the secret way that leads from infancy through childhood and youth to maturity."
    • "A Mishnaic Commentary on Matthew 1.19," Daniel B. Wallace, Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological Seminary.
      • "...had Joseph sent a bill of divorce to Mary it could not be retracted once it reached her because, as far as was evident to him, she had committed an immoral act. And although he desired to divorce her secretly, at least two other people had to know about the matter. But since he only desired to do this and did not actually go through with the act, her dignity was preserved intact."
    • "Nativity of Jesus," wikipedia.
    • Companion Pieces at Religion OnLine, adapted from The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions, 1998.
      • "God's Way of Acting," N.T. Wright. 
        • "If the first two chapters of Matthew and the first two of Luke had never existed, I do not suppose that my own Christian faith, or that of the church to which I belong, would have been very different. But since they do, and since for quite other reasons I have come to believe that the God of Israel, the world's creator, was personally and fully revealed in and as Jesus of Nazareth, I hold open my historical judgment and say: If that's what God deemed appropriate, who am I to object?"
      • "Light in the Darkness," Marcus Borg. 
        • "Thus I do not see the basis of the birth stories as history remembered. Yet I think these stories are true. To use familiar terminology, I see these stories as history metaphorized, that is, as metaphorical narratives. And the history that is being metaphorized is not the birth itself but the Jesus story as a whole. With beauty and power, these symbolic narratives express central early Christian convictions about the significance of Jesus."
    • Virgin Birth: Child of the Holy Ghost, from And Adam Knew Eve: A Dictionary of Sex in the Bible, by Ronald L. Ecker.

LUKE 1:50
4th December 2016
  • Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
    • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
    • III.X.2, III.XXI.5, IV.VII.1, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
    • Chapter XXVI, On the Soul, Tertullian (c. 210)
    • IV.28, IV.34, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
    • Chapter XXI, On the Flesh of Christ, Tertullian (c. 211)
    • V.12, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 212)

    • From the Geneva Notes.
      • "He has scattered them, and the imagination of their hearts; or, by and through the imagination of their own hearts; so that their wicked counsel turned to their own destruction."
    • From Matthew Henry's Commentary (c. 1700).
      • "It is very good for those who have the work of grace begun in their souls, to communicate one to another."
    • From Wesley's Notes. John Wesley (1703-1791).
      • "And she rejoiced in hope of salvation through faith in him, which is a blessing common to all true believers, more than in being his mother after the flesh, which was an honour peculiar to her."
    • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
      • "What beautiful superiority to envy have we here! High as was the distinction conferred upon herself, Elisabeth loses sight of it altogether, in presence of one more honored still; upon whom, with her unborn Babe, in an ecstasy of inspiration, she pronounces a benediction, feeling it to be a wonder unaccountable that 'the mother of her Lord should come to her.'"
    • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
      • "These two godly women are the first human prophets of the New Testament."
  • Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
    • Commentary, Luke 1:39-45, (46-55), Judith Jones, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
      • "May we, like Elizabeth and Mary, trust that God is coming to save and free us."
    • "Learning from Mary in Our Age of Endless War," Matthew L. Skinner, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2015. Includes discussion questions. Video: Beating Swords into Plowshares to End Gun Violence.
    • "Singing as an Act of Resistance," David Lose, ...in the Meantime, 2015.
      • "Would you consider, on this Fourth Sunday in Advent, omitting the sermon in favor of a hymn sing?"
    • "A Merciful Advent," Karoline Lewis, Dear Working Preacher, 2015.
      • "Listen closely. Anything sound familiar in Mary's Magnificat?"
    • "A Blessing Called Sanctuary," Jan Richardson, The Advent Door, 2015.
      • "Where will we go, like Mary, to find and receive such a blessing? How will we open our heart, like Elizabeth, to offer it?"
    • The Truett Pulpit, J. David Tate, 2015.
      • "Perhaps rather than directing the lyrics of Mary's Hymn – teasing apart lines and words of theology, expectation, politics, or justice, we ought to instead help her message to be sung with power and rousing inspiration."
    • "Hope and Peace," LECTIO, Eric Smith, 2015.
    • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, Scott Hoezee, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2015.
    • "Visit a family member," Lynn Miller, Art & Faith Matters, celebrating our creative and living God by generating art and architecture resources for congregations and individuals. Art and Faith Matters facebook page contains additional resources.
    • "Blessed Are You Among Women!" Bob Cornwall, Ponderings on a Faith Journey, 2015.
    • "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing - and Advent's Greatest Challenge," Anna Shirey, The Labyrinth Way, 2015.
    • "Every pure and virgin soul," Andrew Prior, First Impressions, 2015.
      • "Luke is not intending to present us with a miracle which contradicts biological truth and necessity. We make a category mistake if we believe he is even thinking about biology. He is presenting to us the intervention of God in our world; the filling of people with holy spirit. It is all to set the stage for Jesus' birth and subsequent ministry."
    • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2015.
    • "Recognition!" Thomas Beam, 2015.
    • "Coming," Journey to Penuel, 2015.
    • "Song of Hope," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer, 2015.
      • "In Advent we sing because we look forward to something better than the violence and suffering and injustice all around us. We look forward to the kindness and generosity and compassion of our God being fulfilled for all the peoples of the world."
    • "Like Mary Did," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2015.
      • "Do you have a favorite artistic rendering of Mary? What do you see when you when you experience it?"
    • "The Politics of the War on Christmas," Robert Williamson, Jr., Political Theology Today, 2015.
    • "No More Lying about Mary," "The Foxy Foremothers of Jesus," Nancy Rockwell, The Bite in the Apple, 2015.
    • Comentario del San Lucas 1:39-45, (46-55), Pablo Manuel Ferrer, Working Preacher, 2015.
    • Commentary, Luke 1:39-45, (46-55), Rolf Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
      • "Mary’s Psalm announces, 'No, Christ has come to challenge the structures of sin, death, the devil, and oppression. Christ has come in the strength of the Lord to do what the Lord has always done: lift up the lowly, free the enslaved, feed the hungry, give justice to the widow, the orphan, and the sojourner.'"
    • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014.
    • "Mixed Messages," Unvirtuous Abbey, 2013.
      • "Let troubling texts lie?"
    • Commentary, Luke 1:39-45, (46-55), Karl Jacobson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
      • "As we have prepared for the coming of the Christ Child, now we too can sing in thanksgiving, in celebration, in remembrance, and in proclamation of the promise made to our ancestors."
    • "Can We Speak of God's Activity, in Triumph or Tragedy?" Matthew L. Skinner, ON Scripture, 2012.
      • "Mary offers an example and invitation for speaking boldly about God’s activity."
    • "A Promise That Changes the World," David Lose, WorkingPreacher, 2012.
      • "According to Luke, when Mary sang, she didn’t just name those promises but entered into them. Notice, for instance, that the verbs in Mary's song are all in the past tense. Mary recognizes as she sings that she has already been drawn into relationship with the God of Israel..."
    • "Two Prophetic Women, A Lord, and a Leaper," D Mark Davis, raw translation and exegesis/questions, Left Behind and Loving It, 2012.
    • Lectionary Greek, Luke 1:39-56, Rob Myallis, 2012.
    • "Mary, the Reluctant Prophet," Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, 2012.
      • "For Luke, Mary is first a prophet."
    • "A Song Pregnant with Hope," Christopher Burkett, PreacherRhetorica, 2012.
      • "For hundreds of years the prayers of Mother Mary have been associated with God’s mercy. If God has often been drawn in stern terms of justice and judgement – Mary has frequently provided the counterbalancing appeal to the more homely and comforting aspects of faith."
    • "The Politics of Luke 1:39-45," Amy Allen, Political Theology, 2012.
      • "There are a lot of 'big' problems that lowly as we are, we cannot dare to solve. But the message of the magnificat is that we don’t have to. We need only to follow our merciful and Mighty God who comes among us in the tiniest, most imperceptible of ways, favoring the small, the weak, the lowly, and promising faithfulness from generation to generation."
    • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Luke 1:39-45, (46-55), David Ewart, 2012.
      • "Does anything leap for joy within us? Can we feel the stirring of new life? Of age old hopes? Of the impossible longing to become possible?"
    • "God Bearer," Nancy Rockwell, Bite in the Apple, 2012.
      • "Mary sings stunning words: the fruitfulness of the reign of God will be increased through her child."
    • "The Song Of Mary," Mother Anne Emry, Sacred Story, 2012.
    • "An Expectant Kick," Katie Munnik, Presbyterian Record, 2012.
    • "Hopes and Fears," the Rev. Dr. Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2012.
      • "How do the words of Mary's Song, speak to the events we have witnessed in these last days? How do these words speak to you?"
    • "From Shame to Blessing with Haste," Rick Morley, 2012.
    • "Escape to Judea and the Great Reversal," Richard Mario Procida, Modern Lectionaries, 2012.
    • Mary Visits Elizabeth, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2012.
    • "Embracing Restoration," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer.
      • "Christmas is a time when the gaping holes in the fabric of our 'family ties' become painfully apparent. It is a time when we desperately need restoration and healing in those most basic human relationships. The future Micah and Mary looked forward to is a vision of the restoration of the whole human family. It is also a time to embrace the restoration and healing God has promised to the whole human family in our families by treading lightly and showing a little extra consideration."
    • "You Are Highly Favored," Robb McCoy, The Fat Pastor, 2012.
    • "Blessed Are We, Women!" Alyce M. McKenzie, Patheos, 2012.
    • "Do You Remember Midge?" Lauren Winner, The Hardest Question, 2012.
      • "Fake wedding rings vs. genuine welcome."
    • Lectionary Blogging, Luke 1:39-56, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2012
      • "God is always on the side of those on the bottom, those who are excluded, those left out.  Yet, God does not triumph over their oppressors in a vindicative act, but rather a loving one.  God wants them to change and join the mission of the kingdom."
    • Comentario del Evangelio por Diana Rocco Tedesco, Lucas 1:39-45, (46-55), Working Preacher, 2012.
    • "Magnificat! Learning to Sing Mary's Song," Carl Gregg, Patheos, 2011.
      • "I love that the Revised Common Lectionary includes the Magnificat as the alternative Psalm reading for the third Sunday of Advent..."
    • "Mary's Magnificat: The Mercy of God," Gordon Franz, Associates for Biblical Research, 2008.
    • Commentary, Luke 1:39-45, (46-55), David Lose, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
      • "Songs are powerful. Perhaps we should therefore take our cue on this day from Elizabeth and Mary and keep our preached words to a minimum to make ample room for singing."
    • Luke 1:39-45, Advent 4C, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
    • "First Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Advent 4, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
      • "Christmas is fascinating as a place of marginalisation..."

    • "God Has Lifted Up the Lowly," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches, 2006.
    • "Incarnation is an inside job," Peter Woods, I am listening, 2009.
      • "Why do women who are touched by God have their prayers recorded by a patriarchal religion that viewed women as possessions and not people? Why would these words find a place in the hearts of the men who made the decisions of what to include and what to leave out of their Sacred Texts that they regarded as God?s Word?"
    • "Fine and Blessed," Dr. Scott Morris, Luke 1:46-53, HopeandHealing.org.
      • "One of the challenges of poverty medicine is realizing that you are capable of doing only so much. Poverty generates overwhelming needs."
    • "Mary's Magnificat: All Generations Will Call Her Blessed," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2006.

    • "What Should We Say about Mary?" study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Women and the Church," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2009. Focus article: "What Should We Say about Mary?" Carole L. Baker.
    • "Justice for the Downtrodden," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches, 2006.

    • Kairos CoMotion Lectionary Discussion, Luke 1:46b-55. "A place of conversation regarding Progressive Christianity."
    • "Old and New," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Catholic Resource for This Sunday's Gospel. Adult Study, Children's Story, Family Activity, Support Materials.
      • "How hard is it to give up the old and accept the new?"
    • "Mary Visits Elizabeth," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
    • Lectionary Commentary and Preaching Paths (Advent C4), by Dennis Bratcher, at The Christian Resource Institute.
      • "Introducing the theme of the reversal of fortune, especially against the background of the great acts of God by which He had revealed Himself and defined Himself to the Israelites throughout the OT, serves to place the impending births in the context of a reordering of the world. This anticipates not only the immediately following features of the narrative, for example when shepherds are the first to receive the news of a Savior born in the city of David, but also the role of the new community of Faith that is emerging in the world."

    • Wellspring of the Gospel, Feast of the Assumption, Catherine McElhinney and Kathryn Turner, Weekly Wellsprings.
    • "Annunciation," "Magnificat," wikipedia.
    • "Listening with the Ear of the Heart," Frank T. Griswold, Cross Currents, 1998-99.
      • "It is our vocation to allow Christ to use our hearts. It is our vocation to come to maturity in Christ who is our Truth. We do so by attending to the Christ present in the truth of one another."
    • Companion Pieces at Religion OnLine, adapted from The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions, 1998.
      • "God's Way of Acting," N.T. Wright. 
        • "If the first two chapters of Matthew and the first two of Luke had never existed, I do not suppose that my own Christian faith, or that of the church to which I belong, would have been very different. But since they do, and since for quite other reasons I have come to believe that the God of Israel, the world's creator, was personally and fully revealed in and as Jesus of Nazareth, I hold open my historical judgment and say: If that's what God deemed appropriate, who am I to object?"
      • "Light in the Darkness," Marcus Borg. 
        • "Thus I do not see the basis of the birth stories as history remembered. Yet I think these stories are true. To use familiar terminology, I see these stories as history metaphorized, that is, as metaphorical narratives. And the history that is being metaphorized is not the birth itself but the Jesus story as a whole. With beauty and power, these symbolic narratives express central early Christian convictions about the significance of Jesus."

ISAIAH 61:1-2
11th December 2016

  • Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
    • Text from "The Coming of Melchizedek," 11Q13, Col 2 of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
    • Chapter XIV of the Epistle of Barnabas. (ca. 130)
    • II.XXII.1, III.IX.3, III.XVII.10, IV.XXIII.1, Adversus Haereses,Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180) 
    • Chapter XI, Chapter XII, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
    • IV.14, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
    • Chapter XI, Against Praxeas,  Tertullian (c. 213)
    • VI.23, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Philocalia [anthology of Origen prepared by St. Basil and St. Gregory Nazianzen], Origen. (c.230)
    • Book I, Chapter 3, Ecclesiastical History, Eusebius of Caesarea, (c. 320).
    • Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
    • From the Geneva Notes.
      • "Thus belongs to all the prophets and ministers of God, but chiefly to Christ, of whose abundant graces everyone receives according as it pleases him to distribute."
    • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
      • "Promises are here made to the Jews returned out of captivity, which extend to all those who, through grace, are delivered out of spiritual thraldom. An unholy soul is like a city that is broken down, and has no walls, like a house in ruins; but by the power of Christ's gospel and grace, it is fitted to be a habitation of God, through the Spirit."
    • From Wesley's Notes.
      • "Strangers - Gentiles, such as are not of the natural race of the Jews, but Gentile converts. Or, such as shall have no more than an outward profession."
    • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
      • "...opening of the prison--The Hebrew rather is, "the most completeopening," namely, of the eyes to them that are bound, that is, deliverance from prison, for captives are as it were blind in the darkness of prison (Isa 14:17; 35:5; 42:7) [EWALD]. So Lu 4:18 and the Septuagint interpret it; Lu 4:18, under inspiration, adds to this, for the fuller explanation of the single clause in the Hebrew, "to set at liberty them that are bruised"; thus expressing the double"opening" implied; namely, that of the eyes (Joh 9:39), and that of the prison (Ro 6:18; 7:24, 25 Heb 2:15)."
  • Contemporary Commentary, Studies and Exegesis:
    • Commentary, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 (Advent 3), Kristin J. Wendland, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
      • "t is a passage that can perhaps be read placidly by those for whom things are going well, but less so by those who do look around and see only destruction. None of us need look far to see that all is not well in the world."
    • "God's Favorites," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer.
      • "The announcement of "peace on earth to all whom God favors" precisely to those who would seem to be the most disfavored of people indicates that it's God's peace for all that is the promise of Advent."
    • Commentary, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 (Advent 3), Elna K. Solvang, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
      • "The city where hopelessness had taken root will, by God's spirit and by God's blessing, sprout righteousness and praise."
    • "Ruins, Beautiful and Sad," Fr. Rick Morley, a garden path, 2011.
    • "The Politics of Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11," Aaron Howard, Political Theology, 2011.
    • "Repurposing the Promise of Release," Russell Rathbun, The Hardest Question, 2011.
      • " How long can we continue to push God’s promise of justice into the future? 
    • "God Returning," John C. Holbert, Patheos, 2011.
      • "... this third prophet Isaiah had his own way of kindling the fires of hope despite the fiasco of the pathetic new temple."
    • Commentary, Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 (Advent 3), Samuel Giere, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
      • "...these words speak not only of the spiritual but of the physical realities and to the brokenness of the world, and that the recipients of these transformative infinitives are those outside the fold, the congregation, the denomination, and the Church."
    • "Criminal Justice," Resources for Prophetic Worship, Speaking to North Carolina Justice Issues, North Carolina Council of Churches.
    • The Old Testament Readings: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11. Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
      • "The passage stresses a couple of important points about hope when read in the context of Advent."
    • Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11, Isaiah in Advent: The Transforming Word, Diane Jacobson, Texts in Context, Word & World, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1990.
      • "To be sure, this transformation is for the benefit of all the nations. Yet echoes of the fear-filled confession in Isa 64 might well be heard by some, for the announcement that this advent is for all the world is not received by all people as good news."
    • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
    • "Taking Sides: Reversals," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation.
      • "Mary and Jesus, Ambrose and Basil, each in their own way lived and spoke about the biases of God's heart."
    • Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11, Studies on Old Testament texts from Series B, Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
    • "The Greatness of God," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
      • "What ritual, prayer, or sacrament gives you comfort? Can you see the power of God beyond those activities? How?"
    • Renewed Mission: Verse Commentary on Isaiah 61:1-11, Dennis Bratcher, Christian Resource Institute.
      • "The Hebrew word here (ruach) has a wide range of meaning, including wind, air, breath (recall 40:7), life, spirit (in the sense of vivacity or vigor, as "a spirited horse"), spirit (in the sense of something not seen), etc. It also can have a variety of figurative meanings, including impatience, temper, disposition, mood, emptiness, impulse, etc. The word as used here refers to the active, dynamic presence of God."
  • Sermons:
  • Reviews:
    • Review: Leszek Ruszkowski, Volk und Gemeinde im Wandel: Eine Untersuchung zu Jesaja 56-66. (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2000) Review by Roy D. Wells in SBL's Review of Biblical Literature. (Review is in English.)
  • With Children:

  • Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
    • Interpreting Isaiah 61, tapestry/banner by N. Hawthorne, at Biblische Ausbildung, Dr. Stephen L. Cook, Virginia Theological Seminary.
  • Hymns and Music:
  • Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
    • Isaiah
    • Interpreting Isaiah 61, tapestry/banner by N. Hawthorne, at Biblische Ausbildung, Dr. Stephen L. Cook, Virginia Theological Seminary.
  • Study Links and Resources for the Book of Isaiah

GENESIS 12:2-3
18th December 2016
  • Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
    • Navigating the Bible: Text/Rabbinic commentary and Divrei Torah.
    • Chapter X of The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Clement of Rome (ca. 96).
    • IV.XXI.1, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180) 
    • Chapter II, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
    • V.XV, The Refutation of all Heresies (Philosophumena), Hippolytus of Rome. (c. 225)
    • Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
    • From Calvin's Commentary on Genesis.
      • "Should any one choose to understand this passage in a restricted sense, as if, by a proverbial mode of speech, they who shall bless their children or their friends, shall be called after the name of Abram, let him enjoy his opinion; for the Hebrew phrase will bear the interpretation, that Abram shall be called a signal example of happiness."
    • From the Geneva Notes.
      • "It was not enough for him to worship God in his heart, but it was expedient to declare by outward profession his faith before men, of which this altar was a sign."
    • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
      • "Canaan was not, as other lands, a mere outward possession, but a type of heaven, and in this respect the patriarchs so earnestly prized it."
    • From Wesley's Notes.
      • "By deserting his country he lost his name there: care not for that, (saith God) but trust me, and I will make thee a greater name than ever thou couldst have had there."
    • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
      • "God was dealing with Abram not in his private and personal capacity merely, but with a view to high and important interests in future ages."
  • Resources specific to the Narrative Lectionary, September 14, 2014:
    • "Note Cards," video children's sermon (scroll down), John Stevens, Dollar Store Children's Sermons, 2014.
  • Contemporary References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
    • Commentary, Genesis 12:1-4a, Juliana Claassens, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
      • "...in the blessing to Abraham we already see some poignant reflection on Israel's often complex relationship with its neighbours"
    • "Dare to Sit with Suffering," Melissa Browning, ON Scripture, Odyssey Network, 2014. Video: What Is Our Moral Obligation in an International Cris
    • "So Abram Went," John C. Holbert, Opening the Old Testament, 2014.
      • "How are we to be a "light to the nations"? What if all nations prefer their own light, and their own understanding of what they mean by being disciples?"
    • "The Politics of Immigration," Timothy F. Simpson, Political Theology Today, 2014.
      • "It seems to me that the challenge of the stranger in our midst is more pressing than it has been in perhaps a long time."
    • Abraham, Frederick Buechner, Beyond Words.
    • "Step by Step," Linda Fabian Pepe, Theological Stew, 2014.
    • Commentary, Genesis 12:1-4a, Dennis Olson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
      • "The promise to Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 12:1-4 marks one of the most dramatic transitions in the entire story of the Old Testament."
    • "Blessing the World," FaithElement discipleship system "setting the Bible free," 2011.
    • The Old Testament Readings: Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Howard Wallace Audrey Schindler, Morag Logan, Paul Tonson, Lorraine Parkinson, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
      • "This is the first in a series of five readings from the story of Abraham, Lot, Sarah and Hagar..."
    • The Lynchpin of the Bible, Reflections on Genesis 12:1-4a, John C. Holbert, Patheos, 2011.
      • "I name this brief passage in Genesis the lynchpin of the Bible, and by the Bible I mean both of the testaments."
    • "I'll Tell You When We Get There," Russell Rathbun, The Hardest Question, 2011.
      • "This is a remarkable text as we move through lent, towards death. It seems the inevitable fate for Abram, moving into and with utter barrenness. There is one more remarkable thing about this moving into the unknown, God is going with them."
    • Genesis 12:1-9, Pentecost 4, Commentary, Background, Insights from Literary Structure, Theological Message, Ways to Present the Text. Anna Grant-Henderson, Uniting Church in Australia.
      • "The promise given in Gen 12:1-3 is shown to come true in this story of Abram and Sarai. The great adventure is about to begin based on complete trust and obedience to God. We will discover later how Abram will be a blessing and a curse to other nations."
    • Genesis 12:1-4a, Studies on Old Testament texts from Series A, Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
    • Commentary, Genesis 12:1-4a, Frank M. Yamada, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
      • "Something that all the cultures of the world share is ancestor stories."
    • The Old Testament Readings (Lent 2A): Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
      • "This text is a turning point in the biblical story in general and the Genesis story in particular."
    • "Abraham in Three Movements," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
      • "Our ultimate journey is to move from a self-regarding heart curved in on itself to an other-regarding openness to the love of God, a love for others, and a love for all His world."
    • "Leave Your Country," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation.
      • "Our ultimate journey is to move from a self-regarding heart curved in on itself to an other-regarding openness to the love of God, a love for others, and a love for all His world. That, of course, is a journey that lasts a lifetime."
    • "The Blessing of Abram," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
      • "These verses begin the high point of Genesis: the story of Abraham."
    • "Birth of a Covenant," Torah Commentary by Rabbi Shai Held. BeliefNet.
      • "God tells Abram to leave the comforts of home and go out to repair himself--and the entire world."
    • "The Call of Abraham," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
    • Commentary, Genesis 12:1-9, Mark Throntveit, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
      • "What could God possibly do to counter the spread of sin that dominated the story in Genesis 3 through 11?"
      "The Journey Without, The Journey Within: Ignorance, Inclusion and Impotence," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
      • "How does the journey metaphor speak to you? Where are you on your spiritual journey?"
    • Desert Scribblings, Genesis 12:1-9, Geoff McElroy.
      • "Call, covenant, journey.  In these things we see revealed the activity of God, the One who calls us, who makes relationship with us, and who guides us wherever we go."
    • "Abraham: The Father of Us All," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2005.
      • "In his journey into the unknown, Abraham embraced ignorance, relinquished control, and chose to live with confidence in God's promise to bless him in a new and strange place."
    • "Commentary on Genesis 12:1-9: Second Sunday After Pentecost," by Dennis Bratcher at the Christian Resource Institute. 
      • "This chapter recounting God?s call and promise to Abraham, and Abraham?s response, is the pivotal event in the book of Genesis, the theological hinge between sin and grace."
    • Parshah Lech-Lecha, text, commentary & articles from Chassidic Masters, sermons, etc from Chabad Lubavitch.
    • Parshas Lech Lecha, Divrei Torah from The Project Genesis Torah Study. Index to numerous Orthodox articles and studies on Genesis 12:1 - 17:27.
    • Parshat Lech Lecha, articles and commentary by the Jewish Community of Atlanta, at The Torah From Dixie.
    • "Mission among Muslims: Another Chosen People," Herbert Zorn, Word & World Texts in Context, 1996.
      • "Fifty years ago, Mission among Muslims would have been described as mission to Muslims..."
    • "The Call of Abram," from the Biblical Studies Foundation.
      • "While what was to be left behind was crystal clear, what lay ahead was distressingly devoid of detail."
    • Genesis 12:1-9, Proper 10A: Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
    • Genesis 12:1-4a, Lent 2: Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
    • "Call and Promise," program highlights, discussion & reflection questions and more from the Bill Moyers PBS series Genesis: A Living Conversation.
      • "'What really matters is not whether Abraham is good or bad or cowardly or heroic, but that God pursues His design for the welfare of the human family with people like that -- in other words, people like us.' - Lewis Smedes."
    • "The Meaning of Vocation," A.J. Conyers, (other resources at) "Vocation,"Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2004.
      • "'Vocation' is distorted by two disastrous misunderstandings: a secularized idea of 'career' and a monastic concept of the religious life."
    • "Biblical Perspectives on the Land," Dennis T. Olson, Word & World, 1986.
    • "A Thrice-Told Tale: Genre, Theme, and Motif," David L. Petersen, Biblical Research, 1973.
      • "We must pass beyond a preliminary label "episode in the patriarchal saga" to a fuller understanding of a text by studying plot, character, setting, and theme."
    • "Terminologische Verknüpfungen und Genesis 12:1-3," W. Warning, Biblica 81 (2000).
      • "Technical word combinations based on the terms `Abram', `nation', `clan', `to bless', `large' and `to walk' allow one to recognize a close linguistic relationship between the primeval history and the introductory words of the story of the patriarchal narrative."
    • Abraham and Sarah, from And Adam Knew Eve: A Dictionary of Sex in the Bible.

    • Sermons:
    • With Children:
    • Drama:
    • Liturgy:
    • Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
      • Clip Art, Genesis 12:2, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
      • Clip Art, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
    • Hymns and Music:
    • Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
    • Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
    • Study Links and Resources for the Book of Genesis

    JOHN 1:14
    25th December 2016
    • Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
      • Commentary, John 1:(1-9), 10-18, Karoline Lewis, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2015.
        • "The fourth evangelist understands that God’s promise to be with God’s people wherever they go has now taken on a different representation in Jesus."
      • "A World of Hope and Disappointment," Greg Carey, ON Scripture, Odyssey Networks, 2015. Video: 5 Things on the Minds of Americans.
      • "Christmas Continued," David Lose, ...in the meantime... 2015.
        • "So perhaps the opportunity before us, Dear Partner, on this second – and last – Sunday of Christmas, is to treat it as the first Sunday of a year where we emulate and actualize God's activity to come among us in grace, mercy and love that the light might continue shining on in even the darkest of places."
      • The Politics of Incarnation, John Allen, Political Theology Today, 2015.
      • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2015.
      • "No Plastic Jesus Here: The Word Became Flesh," Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2015.
        • "How have you come to think of 'the Word becoming flesh?' What does this wonder mean to you?"
      • "Confession," Andrew Prior, First Impressions, 2015.
      • Evangelio Comentario del San Juan 1:[1-9], 10-18 por Darío Barolin, Working Preacher, 2015.
      • Commentary, John 1:(1-9), 10-18, Karyn Wiseman, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
        • "Pitching tent means coming to be fully part of the world in which you live and minister."
      • "An Unsentimental Christmas Season," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2014.
        • "Jesus came that we might become children of God. Children that is, who are not dominated by the circumstances in which we find ourselves, not defined by our limitations or hurts, and whose destiny is not controlled by others. Rather, we are those persons who know ourselves to be God's own beloved children."
      • "Why Lead with Logos Christology?" Clint Schnekloth, Question the Text, 2014.
      • "Enfleshed," Melissa Bane Sevier, Contemplative Viewfinder, 2014.
      • "God Came Down," Faith Element, 2014.
      • Evangelio Comentario , Linda M. Eastwood, Working Preacher, 2014.
      • "To See the Face of God," Andrew Prior, 2014.

      • "Emmanuel," sermon discussion from Frederick Buechner, Frederick Buechner Blog. "Christmas," from Beyond Words.."Incarnation," from Wishful Thinking. "John the Baptist," from Wishful Thinking. "Word," from Wishful Thinking
        • "What keeps the wild hope of Christmas alive year after year in a world notorious for dashing all hopes is the haunting dream that the child who was born that day may yet be born again even in us and our own snowbound, snowblind longing for him."
      • Commentary, John 1:1-14, Craig a. Satterlee, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2012.
        • "For an alternative approach, rather than helping our hearers to see the light of Christ shining in the darkness, preachers might help them to hear Jesus as God’s love song, singing life into the world’s babble, chaos, and voices of death."
      • "A Christmas Message," the Rev. Dr. Janet H. Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2012.
      • Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
      • Comentario del Evangelio por Iris Barrientos, Juan 1:1-14, Working Preacher, 2012.
      • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Matthew 1:18-25, David Ewart, 2014.
        • "Just as in Genesis the Word was God's original self-revelation as Creator of all; in the Gospel of John, the Son is the revelation of God's heart as Lover of all."
      • The Prologue, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2011.
      • "Christmas and the Clash of Civilizations," pdf study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Christmas and Epiphany Library," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2011. Focus article: "Christmas and the Clash of Civilizations," Donald Heinz.
      • "Particles in the Cosmic Crib," Peter Woods, I Am Listening, 2011.
      • "The Word before the Baby Jesus," Russell Rathbun, The Hardest Question, 2011.
        • "Why does Word that is God nearly completely disappear from the rest of the scriptures?"
      • "Bring It!" Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, Patheos, 2011.
      • "First Thoughts on Year C Passages in the Lectionary," Christmas 2, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
        • "It makes sense to link together: the divine Law, the order of creation and Wisdom. It is like saying: here we see the real meaning of life, the principle which holds all things together, the way God intended things to be."
      • Commentary, John 1:(1-9), 10-18 (Christmas 2), Ginger Barfield, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2010.
        • "The gospel message does not go forward without witnesses like John, and one of the tasks in this sermon is to help show what it looks like to point our fingers towards Jesus. In the age of talk of missional churches, how does that work out practically? How can we point towards Jesus in mission in such a way that others come to know him and come to know and love God?"
      • Commentary, John 1:[1-9] 10-18 (Christmas 2), Holly Hearon, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2009.
      • John 1:(1-9), 10-18, Christmas 2, Comments (commentary) and Clippings(technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
      • Exegetical Notes, Christmas 2, by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
        • "It is hard to express love in mere words, so poems and works of art are created to try and capture the emotion of love. Christianity is filled with art and songs, because it is a religion based on God's love for us here on earth."
      • Lectionary Blogging, John 1:1-18, John Petty, Progressive Involvement, 2010.
        • "The fourth gospel is all about the community indwelling with each other and with God.  It is not about the individual's appropriation of Jesus, but rather God's appropriation of humanity through Christ and how God lives in the greatest intimacy with his followers.  All through the gospel the words are plural, not singular."
      • John 1:1-14, Christmas, Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
      • "I think to myself, 'What a Wonderful World,'" Peter Woods I Am Listening, Christmas Eve/Day, 2009.
        • "Jesus being re-incarnated in every Christ follower as his word of love, compassion, forgiveness, healing, peace; all of it comes and takes flesh in your life and mine."
      • "The Word Became Flesh," Gospel Analysis, Sermons from Seattle, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington. Detailed background and exegesis.
      • Join the Feast, John 1:(1-9) 10-18, Brian Blount, Union PSCE, 2009.
        • "A picture is worth a thousand words. Here, one Word is worth a thousand words."
      • "Two Languages," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at)"Moral Landscape of Creation," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2001.
      • "Home for Christmas," Pilgrim Preaching, Keeping company with biblical texts and the people who hear and preach them, a weblog for preaching, by Mary Hinkle, Luther Seminary.
        • "In 'The Pivot of John's Prologue,' New Testament Studies 27 (1980) : 1-31, Alan Culpepper argues that the prologue is a chiasm with a center point at v. 12b: 'he gave power to become children of God.'"
      • "He Who Comes after Me Stands among You," "The Word Made Flesh," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources. Includes detailed textual notes.
      • Paraphrase of John 1:1-18, by Jim Stamper.
      • Environmental & earth-centered reflections from the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota Environmental Stewardship Commission:
      • Commentary by Hall Harris at the Biblical Studies Foundation:
      • "What Child is This? (John 1:1-8)" by Robert Deffinbaugh at the Biblical Studies Foundation.
        • "John?s prologue provides us with insights which enhance our understanding and appreciation of the birth narratives of Matthew and Luke. These two Gospels highlight the humanity of our Lord, without denying His deity. John?s Gospel highlights the deity of Jesus Christ, without minimizing His humanity."
      • "The Light of God in Action," George A.F. Knight. Adapted from Christ the Center(Eerdmans, 1999). At Religion On-Line. (extended discussion of God/Christ as logos)
        • "The appropriate word to be used in connection with 'the road traveled' by the authors of both Genesis and Exodus is 'grace,' for grace represents the love of God incarnate in his saving initiative. John now interpolates this word at this point (1:14) to exegete this new genesis and exodus in the coming of Christ."
    • Articles & Background:

      • Sermons:
      • With Children:
      • Drama:
      • Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
      • Hymns and Music:
      • Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
      • Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
      • Study Links and Resources for the Book of John

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