The Gospel of Judas
A newly translated Gospel of Judas manuscript has revived interest in Gnosticism. Henry E. Webb explains key Gnostic beliefs and why the early church rejected this text from the New Testament canon.
Doctrinal Issues & Debates
Doctrinal Issues & Debates gathers Christian Standard articles that explore key theological questions and areas of disagreement within the Christian faith—especially as they affect church teaching, unity, and practice. Here you’ll find biblical analysis of contested doctrines, thoughtful engagement with differing viewpoints, and guidance for handling theological controversy with conviction, humility, and charity. These articles aim to help readers pursue truth faithfully, interpret Scripture responsibly, and navigate doctrinal differences in ways that honor Christ and build up the church.
November 20, 2005
TWO VIEWS OF GRACE: Based on Law
Donald A. Nash explains why grace and law belong together under the new covenant. Without God’s law, sin is undefined and grace is unnecessary—but Scripture presents commandments as loving, life-giving guidance.
November 6, 2005
The Church Is Constitutionally One (Part 3 of 3)
Using Ephesians 4:1-6, Clint Gill explains the church as constitutionally one—an organic unity grounded in one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God.
September 18, 2005
Kingdom-Driven Church
Many Christians describe gospel “benefits,” but Scripture repeatedly summarizes the good news as God’s kingdom. John Nugent explains what the kingdom means and why recovering kingdom language can strengthen the church’s witness today.
August 28, 2005
In Praise of Wrath
By Tom Lawson The first hymn in Alexander Campbell”s 1834 hymnal lifts up these words of praise: Before Jehovah”s awful1 throne, Ye nations, bow with sacred joy; Know that the Lord is God alone; He can create, and He destroy. . This image of an all-powerful God, who can both create and destroy, calling the nations before him, is given scant attention in worship these days. For the theologically liberal, talk of God standing in judgment of the world is a source of frank embarrassment. For theological conservatives, however, the concept is also quietly avoided as a focus of worship.
‘Who’ Before ‘What’ (A review of ‘The Jesus Proposal’)
Mark A. Matson revisits the Stone-Campbell Movement’s long pursuit of unity and engages Rubel Shelly and John York’s The Jesus Proposal, urging churches to center fellowship on relationship with Jesus rather than secondary disputes.
The Da Vinci Code . . . and Beyond (Part 2)
Rubel Shelly uses The Da Vinci Code as a metaphor in modern theology debates, warning that preset scholarly criteria and popular pseudoscholarship can unsettle believers who lack grounding in Scripture and church history.
Our Great God
A Theology 101 look at God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence—seen in creation, redemption, and providence—grounded in Scripture and illustrated with thoughtful examples.
What We Believe
Mark A. Taylor considers why people ask for doctrinal statements and what churches choose to publish online. He notes how “What We Believe” pages help visitors understand a church’s bedrock convictions.
