Theology & Bible

Theology & Bible helps Christians understand Scripture and the core teachings of the Christian faith. Explore Bible-based articles on biblical interpretation, doctrine, salvation, the Holy Spirit, baptism, communion, creation, and key themes across the Old and New Testaments. You’ll find thoughtful guidance for studying the Bible faithfully, applying God’s Word to life and ministry, and growing in theological clarity rooted in the gospel. Whether you’re a church leader, teacher, student, or everyday disciple, this hub equips you to know God through Scripture and live with conviction and hope.

March 18, 2016

Christian Standard

Whose Supper Is It?

By J. Michael Shannon In 1 Corinthians 11:17-26, Paul describes the proper attitude to exhibit around the Lord”s table. His admonition is to the church at Corinth, a congregation that desperately needs this message. That church has many problems, more so than most any congregation we might attend today. One of the more serious problems is that it fails to take the Lord”s Supper seriously. Here is a church where the rich will not wait for the poor to arrive for the supper and eat all the food before the actual celebration of the emblems. This is a church where

March 14, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 20, 2016: Struggling Faith (Mark 14:26-31, 66-72)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the March 13 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  A common struggle we face is consistent faith. On Palm Sunday the people shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9). But by Friday they shouted, “Crucify him” (Mark 15:14). Peter (and the other disciples) had that same

March 11, 2016

Christian Standard

A Silent Sermon

By J. Michael Shannon Communion services usually are very quiet gatherings. The music is usually soft, and people do not talk and laugh among themselves. This is almost universally true regardless of the church tradition of those partaking. While there is an appropriate sense of joy in the celebration of what Jesus has done for us, there is also a silent awe that comes over us because of the magnitude of the sacrifice. Our quietness is almost instinctive. And so it was for a monk, as the old story goes, who was assigned to do the homily for the brothers

March 7, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 13, 2016: Simple Faith (Mark 10:17″“31)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the March 6 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  Affluenza complicates simple faith. Affluenza is a sickness caused by too many material possessions. While everything created by God is good (2 Timothy 4:4), and while God has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), there probably is such

March 4, 2016

Christian Standard

The Cup

By J. Michael Shannon The Christian world has long been fascinated with the cup of the Last Supper. One legend says that Joseph of Arimathea took the cup to England. There, it seems to have gotten mixed up with grail legends and become a part of the King Arthur stories. Dozens of churches claim to have the cup. A seventh-century legend says the cup was at one time in a church in Jerusalem. It was described as a two-handled silver chalice. In Genoa, Italy, there is a hexagon-shaped cup made from green glass that some thought was an emerald. In

March 1, 2016

Mark A. Taylor

Why We Celebrate

This Easter editorial was written by Mark A. Taylor, CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s editor, the 11th in its 150-year history. It first appeared in the April 8, 2007, issue of the magazine. ____ By Mark A. Taylor Today Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ for two reasons. First are the logical and historical evidences: “¢ Confused and afraid disciples became bold proclaimers of Christ”s resurrection after they saw it was true. Their testimony never wavered, even when it cost them their lives. Even if one man might have died for a lie or a fantasy, no one can explain why so many

March 1, 2016

Christian Standard

“˜If a Man Die, Shall He Live Again?”

This Easter editorial was written by Sam E. Stone, CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s 10th editor. It first appeared in the March 30, 1986, issue of the magazine. ____ By Sam E. Stone When Eve stood with tear-filled eyes beside Abel”s grave, the question of the ages must have been in her heart. Will I see him again? Is there life beyond the grave? But it remained for that patriarch whose name is synonymous with human suffering to ask, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14). All of us have thought about this. We think of it when we stand

March 1, 2016

Christian Standard

They Were Excited

This Easter editorial was written by Edwin V. Hayden, CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s ninth editor. It first appeared in the April 21, 1962, issue of the magazine. ____ By Edwin V. Hayden They were excited people””those folk who saw Jesus after He rose from the dead. They couldn”t contain themselves from telling what they had seen and heard. Their excitement didn”t wear off; it stayed with them as long as they lived. Because of it we in our land and time have access to Christ”s church and His gospel. Others now and generations to come will have that church and that gospel,

March 1, 2016

Christian Standard

Now Is Christ Risen

This Easter editorial was written by Burris Butler, CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s eighth editor. It first appeared in the April 20, 1946, issue of the magazine. ____ By Burris Butler Now is Christ risen! This fact is more far-reaching in its implication than any other fact in history. As to Jesus himself, it proved beyond the possibility of doubt all His claims to be the Messiah of Israel, the son of God, and the Saviour of the world. Through it He was vindicated at the bar of justice. His death alone of all who have died was by it proved to be

March 1, 2016

Christian Standard

The Unchanging Gospel of the Resurrection

Fifty years ago, in 1966, in the centennial issue of CHRISTIAN STANDARD, the editor reprinted Easter editorials from each of the nine editors who had served up to that time. This is one of those editorials. It was written by Isaac Errett, CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s founding editor, and one of 11 editors who have served the magazine during its 150-year history. This editorial appeared in the April 16, 1881, issue. ____ The Resurrection By Isaac Errett In the church of Christ the resurrection is a weekly, not an annual, festival. The soul”s interest in it is too vital to allow it to be

February 29, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 6, 2016: Powerful Faith (Mark 9:14″“29)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the February 28 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  The apostles said, “Increase our faith” (Luke 17:5). What could be more important than an increasing faith in a powerful God? As upside down as it sounds, one thing that causes our faith to increase is doubt. Healthy doubt that seeks understanding is a good

February 26, 2016

Christian Standard

Examine Yourself

By Tom Claibourne “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28). As the dramatic events leading up to Jesus” death on the cross began quickly to unfold, our Savior caused each person around him to examine himself and make important choices. During his last Passover meal, Jesus prompted uncomfortable introspection for his disciples with his shocking statement, “One of you will betray me.” Stomachs churned. Heart rates increased. Minds raced. Mouths muttered the fearful inquiry, “Lord, is it I?” With a single statement Jesus caused his closest companions

February 22, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 28, 2016: Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33″“43)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the February 21 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  Pushing the pause button to remember God”s faithfulness is a healthy spiritual discipline. Every so often we need to take a step back from the daily grind and enjoy a spiritual sanity check. In many ways that is how the Feast of Tabernacles functioned for Israel.

February 18, 2016

Christian Standard

My Theology and My Grandparenting

By Tom Ellsworth I broke a promise. I don”t take that lightly, but thankfully, it was a promise to me alone. Years ago I vowed that when I became a grandfather I would not get all “twitterpated” (defined as infatuated; giddy; in a state of anxious excitement“”as used in the Disney movie Bambi, which I”ve seen again and again as a casualty of being a grandparent). My silly promise melted two seconds after holding my granddaughter for the first time. With the birth of each subsequent grandchild, the memory of such an absurd vow fades farther into my subconscious. And

February 18, 2016

Christian Standard

My Theology and My Attitude Toward My Kids” Rooms

By Jason Yeatts My view of theology changed two years ago. For most of my life, I considered theology an academic discipline, reserved mainly for those smart enough to handle it. But two years ago, I realized something was missing. My kids were getting older, and I was discovering that the theological information locked in my brain was quite powerless when I brought it into my living room, kitchen, and bedroom””the intimate places of my home. Theology seemed disconnected from my real life, and I struggled to understand how it could, and should, affect my day-to-day comings and goings. Helped

February 15, 2016

Christian Standard

My Theology and Architecture

By Mel McGowan I used to believe that, at any moment, Jesus would whisk us out and that since “it”s all gonna burn,” church funds should be spent only on “emergency shelters” just to keep the rain off of our heads””not expensive, attractive church buildings. Beauty was irrelevant, since we”re all on an emergency rescue mission, selling fire insurance to whoever would listen. Then I had the opportunity to meet storytellers who helped me see the arc in the metanarrative of his story, from the garden to the city, from creation to brokenness to restoration. He introduces himself as an

February 15, 2016

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 21, 2016: Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:11″“19)

Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the February 14 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott  “The forgiveness of God, in my opinion, is the most powerful and therapeutic idea in the world,” said Leslie Weatherhead. A Christian counselor from Colorado said, “The lack of forgiveness is at the root of most all interpersonal conflicts.” We should not be surprised that forgiveness

February 14, 2016

Christian Standard

My Theology and My Approach to Aging

By Robert Hull In his brief poem “Seventy Years,” Wendell Berry writes: Well, anyhow, I am not going to die young.1 When my mother died at the age of 71, she seemed old to me. But I was only 39 at that time, and still full of vitality. Nowadays we are told “80 is the new 70,” but to someone only 39, my age of 72 is old, and it’s beginning to feel that way to me too. When my Milligan College class of 1965 got together for our 50-year reunion last fall, the list of the deceased included 19

February 13, 2016

Christian Standard

My Theology and My View of Technology

By Chad Ragsdale I”ve heard someone observe that we are all cyborgs now””witness our desktops littered with computers, smartphones, and tablets. Technology is, of course, not new. The creation and use of tools to enhance our power and improve our lives is uniquely human. What is new, I think, is the level of intimacy our technology now enjoys in each one of our lives. Our technology has become an inseparable part of us, and we notice it more for its absence than its presence. Recently I went 10 days without a cell phone. This wasn”t some grand experiment in minimalist

February 12, 2016

Christian Standard

My Theology and My Sense of Mission

By Nate Bush Simple gospel messages are invaluable resources that have served the church well. But have we unintentionally filtered out some important components of the gospel? J.I. Packer writes that the gospel has been “streamlined for instant comprehension and response. The question being explored was: how little do we need to tell people for them to become Christians? Was this a good question to work with? In some circles, maybe so, but in most, definitely not.”1 The gospel has become a simple-to-articulate plan of salvation. It is as simple as (A) all have sinned, (B) believe in Jesus, and

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