North Park’s Sophia Magallanes-Tsang Brings Latina Lens to Biblical Interpretation

When North Park Theological Seminary (NPTS) assistant professor of Old Testament Dr. Sophia Magallanes-Tsang set out to write her book, Scripture, Our Comrade: A Relational Approach to Inductive Exegesis, she aimed to invite readers into Scripture through their own social, ethnic, and theological backgrounds. 

Magallanes-Tsang says that throughout her academic career, she often studied Scripture through the lens of her professors’ North American or European cultures, then reframed the lessons considering her lived Latina experience. This book gave her a chance to offer that perspective to others.  

“Comadre literally means ‘co-mother.’ In the Latina communities I grew up in, however, it often refers to a trusted female friend or community member, the women with whom you share life,” said Magallanes-Tsang. “At one level, then, ‘Scripture, Our Comadre’ traces my relationship with the Bible: a rich comadre relationship that has changed over time.” 

She refers to the Bible as “a trusted friend” she “did not fully understand.” Through the examples of women in her life who stayed committed to one another despite differing values, she learned how to remain committed to her own faith. Magallanes-Tsang notes that throughout her career studying the Bible, she has faced the challenge of balancing her faith with critical examination.  

She believes her book will be a helpful resource for people who wish to examine the Bible academically in ways that reflect their own faith and cultural backgrounds, and to treat Scripture as their own comadre.  

Learn more about Scripture, Our Comadre: A Relational Approach to Inductive Exegesis from Dr. Magallanes-Tsang via her article on the NPTS website or her book launch event on November 12. The launch will be in person and livestreamed. Those interested can  register here.