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.

January 30, 2015

Christian Standard

When We Partake

By H. Lynn Gardner Partaking of the Lord”s Supper is not a meaningless routine ritual. We must partake thoughtfully, and with our minds engaged. Communion should be one of the richest and most meaningful experiences of our week. 1. We remember Christ”s sacrifice on our behalf. “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24*). Lest we think we deserve God”s favor, lest we forget what Christ did for us, we are regularly reminded of the price paid for our salvation. The cross of Christ is not an insignificant fact from the storeroom of history. We are remembering and savoring

January 29, 2015

Christian Standard

Playing Your Cards Right

By Jeff Faull We do not always handle theological conflict fairly. Have you heard””or used””any of these arguments? Since the days of the O.J. Simpson trial, the phrase “playing the race card” has become commonplace. Accusing someone of arbitrarily “playing the race card” usually means they have bypassed the true merits of either position and trumped the validity of everything else with an accusation of racism, whether legitimate or not. To be certain, racism still exists and sometimes it”s fair to display the “race card,” but other times it is unfairly used to silence an exploration of the real issues

January 26, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 1, 2015: Feasting and Fasting (Daniel 1; Matthew 6; 9:9-17)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 25 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  “The Book of Daniel has attracted more interest than any book of the Old Testament,” declared Dr. James. E. Smith. “Because he was willing at all times to stand up for what he believed, Daniel is a true hero of the Faith.” In today”s lesson the role of one”s dietary choices focuses on two perspectives””feasting and fasting. The first text describes

January 23, 2015

Christian Standard

The Lord’s Supper in the Early Church

By H. Lynn Gardner “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them” (Acts 20:7*). “And they devoted themselves to the apostles” teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Luke says the central purpose for assembling is “to break bread,” which underscores its primary importance (Acts 20:7). The church observed the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week. Early Christian writers say this was because Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week. Comments from early Christian

January 19, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 25, 2015: Powerful Prayer (James 5)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 18 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  This month”s theme, “Learning to Pray,” helps us consider the topic of prayer as found in the books of Luke, John, Hebrews, and James. We have already reviewed Jesus” model for prayer, his prayer for his disciples, and his intercession for us.  The letter of James is one of the most practical books in all of Scripture. The writer emphasized not

January 16, 2015

Christian Standard

What Does This Meal Mean?

By H. Lynn Gardner Modern Jews eat the Passover meal much the same as God instructed through Moses thousands of years ago. At one point in the ceremonial meal the youngest in the company asks, “Why is this night different from all other nights? What does this mean?” The leader responds, “We celebrate tonight because we were Pharaoh”s slaves in Egypt, and the Lord our God delivered us with a mighty hand. Had not the Holy One, blessed be he, redeemed our fathers from Egypt, we, our children, and our children”s children would have remained slaves.” Moses wrote, “And when

January 12, 2015

Christian Standard

A Healthy Church Is Doctrinally Strong

By Jeff Faull I know what you”re thinking: OK, here comes the obligatory “doctrine” article. I think I”ll pass””or else””I”ll hold my nose and take the medicine in one quick gulp and wash it down with something good and be done with it. Please don”t. Doctrine was never intended to be dry, rigid, sterile, lifeless rules and syllogisms, but rather, the stuff of life itself. So I”m asking you to consider healthy church doctrine from some refreshing and positive vantage points.   Consider Doctrine as a Framework for Story I hear a lot of people nowadays saying Christianity is a

January 12, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 18: Jesus” Intercession for Us (Hebrews 4:14″“5:10)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 11 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  The writer of Hebrews reminded Jewish Christians of the new dispensation”s superiority to the old. The role of the high priest was a position familiar to all Jews. The title first occurred in Leviticus 21:10, where it was used to designate Aaron and his successors. Christians have but one who serves in this capacity””Jesus (Hebrews 2:17). He always stands ready

January 9, 2015

Christian Standard

He Identifies with Us

By H. Lynn Gardner   Jesus shared flesh and blood with us. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:17, 18)*. Timothy Keller explains, in The Reason for God, Christianity alone among the world religions claims that God became uniquely and fully human in Jesus Christ and therefore knows firsthand despair,

January 5, 2015

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 11: Jesus” Prayer for His Disciples (John 17:1-26)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 4 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  The night when Jesus was betrayed was filled with significance. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all reported on “The Last Supper” but included only a brief synopsis of Christ”s teaching that evening. The Gospel of John was written later, however, and includes four long chapters recounting many specific things that Jesus said that evening (John 14″“17). In today”s lesson we study what

December 29, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for January 4, 2015: Jesus’ Model for Prayer (Luke 11:1-13)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the December 28, 2014, issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  This month”s lessons focus on “Learning to Pray.” What an appropriate topic! The apostle Paul wrote, “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us though wordless groans” (Romans 8:26). As H. Lynn Gardner pointed out, “This prayer may appropriately be called “˜The Lord”s Prayer” because our Lord taught it. It

December 25, 2014

Mark A. Taylor

Have You Ever Seen an Angel?

By Mark A. Taylor Many of us witness costumed actors portraying angels in this month”s Christmas plays and pageants. But I”m pretty sure our versions don”t look much like the real angels of Luke 1 and 2. Years ago I attended the “Glory of Christmas” production at Southern California”s Crystal Cathedral, where the angels stole the show. There must have been a dozen of them, suspended through the vast expanse between the auditorium”s ceiling and the crowd below. Flowing gowns and ballet poses made these performers look ethereal and attractive, but that”s not how Luke describes the angels in his

December 22, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 28, 2014: Worship God’s Son (Matthew 14:22-36)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the December 21 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  With the feeding of the 5,000 in the third year of Jesus” ministry, his favor with the crowds grew dramatically. The people enthusiastically ate the food he provided for them, but they were looking for even more””tomorrow”s meals, the sick cured, and a champion to lead the nation in revolt against the Roman authorities. John wrote, “Jesus, knowing that they intended

December 15, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 21, 2014: Give Glory to God (Luke 2:1-20)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the December 14 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Of the four Gospel writers, Luke is the one who gave the historical details and setting of Jesus” birth. With careful research and guided by the Holy Spirit”s inspiration, he recorded the wonderful news of Christ”s birth and how those who first heard about it were encouraged to give glory to God. Joseph and Mary had gone from Nazareth in

December 8, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 14, 2014: Make a Joyful Noise (Psalm 95)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the December 7 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Psalm 95 begins with a call to sing praises to the Lord. The invitation to come is found three times in today”s text. The messianic implication in these verses is confirmed by the usage of this psalm in the New Testament. It is quoted in Hebrews 3 and 4, where it is attributed to David. Leslie S. M”Caw observed, “The anthem

December 1, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for December 7, 2014: Worship Christ’s Majesty (Hebrews 1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the November 30 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  The letter to the Hebrews does not tell us the name of its author. For years Paul was assumed to have written it. Others think Barnabas or Apollos did. Though we cannot be certain of the author, the book was clearly accepted by the early church as part of the Holy Spirit-inspired canon of Scripture. Most Bible students believe it was

November 24, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 30, 2014: Good News Brings Rejoicing (Psalm 33; Isaiah 52:1, 2, 7-12)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the November 23 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  God called on the people of Israel to rejoice. Though they still were to be exiled in Babylon (Isaiah 40″“55), they could rest assured that Almighty God would deliver them. John N. Oswalt emphasized the significance of this prophecy: “The tone of anticipation becomes more intense as God calls on Jerusalem to do the very opposite of what Babylon was required

November 21, 2014

Christian Standard

Approaching the Lord Rightly

By Trevor Tolley How should we approach the Lord”s table every week? This seems like a very important question. We do not want to approach the Lord wrongly. Fortunately Scripture offers insight. Consider, for example, when Isaiah was brought into the throne room of God. In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two wings they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.

November 17, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 23, 2014: Inheritance Marks a New Beginning (Ezekiel 47:13-23; Acts 2:37-47)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the November 16 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Our final lesson from Ezekiel brings us to the largest section of the book””chapters 40″“48. This apocalyptic message has been described as a “counter-vision” to the disaster of Ezekiel 8″“11. At that time God”s glory departed from the temple, but now he had returned (43:1-5). The promised restoration was shown to be fulfilled as the land was divided among the tribes

November 14, 2014

Christian Standard

The Perfect Emblem

By Trevor Tolley The emblems of the Lord”s Supper, the fruit of the vine and the bread, uniquely communicate the message of Christ”s death and resurrection. The emblems so perfectly illustrate the redemptive story that it smells of conspiracy. In other words, it seems Jesus did not choose, but instead created, the perfect emblems. Have you ever considered the thought that the juice in a grape, if it remains in the grape, rots over time? But when, at just the right time, a grape is pressed or crushed, the juice can be put in a sealed container and preserved? This

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