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.

October 6, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 12, 2014: I Know that My Redeemer Lives (Job 19; Psalm 57)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the October 5 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  This is the first of three lessons highlighting key passages from the book of Job. The best way to get an overall picture of this important piece of Old Testament literature is to read the entire book. After Job”s tragic experiences, three of his friends came to see him (Job 2:11-13). Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar agreed “to go and sympathize

September 29, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 5, 2014: Yet Will I Rejoice (Job 1; Psalm 56; Habakkuk 1″“3)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the September 28 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  All that is known of the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk is found in his short book. Even this does not tell us his genealogy, nor when he prophesied. Most Bible students place him as a contemporary of Jeremiah (627-586 BC). The book begins with God raising up the Babylonians as an instrument to punish Palestine. Habakkuk delivered two complaints to

September 25, 2014

Christian Standard

Caring for Creation

By Carol O’Casey Desperate times call for desperate measures””such as when esteemed evolutionary biologist Edward O. Wilson issued a call to churches to “join forces with science to save the planet.” In his book The Creation: An Appeal to Save Life on Earth, Wilson pleads, “Pastor, we need your help. The Creation””living Nature””is in deep trouble.” Will we as a church heed the call to care for creation? I confess, as a biologist and a pastor”s wife, I”ve stood on the shores of indifference too long, afraid to wade into this hostile territory. But when God challenged me to enter

September 22, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 28, 2014: Future Peace and Joy (Jeremiah 33)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the September 21 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  In last Sunday”s lesson Jeremiah was being held in a courtyard prison by King Zedekiah (Jeremiah 32), and he is still there in today”s text. Jeremiah repeated with fuller explanation his prophecy of the one great king called “the Branch,” who would one day come and fulfill the promise of an eternal throne. Jeremiah had been prophesying in Jerusalem for some

September 17, 2014

Christian Standard

Gospel Confidence

By Jim Tune I”ve often been asked, “Isn”t this the only thing that really matters to God in the end: whether or not you”re a good person?” This sounds great, and being good and doing good are central to what it means to be human, but this question masks a subtle belief system. Just below the surface of this sensible and conventional way of seeing God is the flawed idea that God operates according to a merit system. Do the good or right or religious thing and you will get the points you need to get on God”s good side.

September 15, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 21, 2014: Anticipation of a New Future (Jeremiah 32)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the September 14 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Despite all that was going on around them, the people of Israel still had reason for hope. This month”s studies in the book of Jeremiah explain why they could have such confidence that much better days were ahead. Many years before this time, God had given the land of Canaan””the promised land””to his people. The Law of Moses contained specific

September 9, 2014

Mark A. Taylor

Our Focus: on the Cross?

By Mark A. Taylor “I don”t get to a Christian church very often. I don”t get to take Communion every Sunday. And when I do, I want to hear a word about the cross.” I still remember that comment spoken to me years ago by a graduate of Cincinnati Bible Seminary (now Cincinnati Christian University) who had long before quit attending a Christian church/church of Christ. Evidently, because he now belonged to a congregation that does not observe the Lord”s Supper every week, he missed it. And obviously, from years-ago training and decades of experience, he knew what was supposed

September 8, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 14, 2014: Hope for the Future (Jeremiah 31)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the September 7 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Jeremiah is often called “the weeping prophet” because of the sad news he had to bring to his people. But he also held out hope for them. Following 70 years in Babylonian captivity, a remnant would return to the promised land (Jeremiah 23:3). They would rebuild Jerusalem and be the source of great rejoicing (31:7-14). His message encouraged the captives to

September 1, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 7, 2014: A Vision of the Future (Jeremiah 30)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 31 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Even while the people of Israel were living as exiles in Babylon, they still received encouragement and hope from the Lord. In this month”s study we focus on the messages God sent through the prophet Jeremiah. James E. Smith pointed out that the material in chapters 30-33 was not part of a public discourse (see Jeremiah 30:2). “In written form

August 25, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 31, 2014: Generosity in the Midst of Poverty (2 Corinthians 8, 9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 24 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Despite the problems noted in 1 Corinthians (such as division, pride, and immorality), the church had many good qualities. Generous giving, however, was an area in which they needed to improve. In today”s text Paul used various appeals to encourage them to grow in generosity.   An Example 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Paul introduced a new subject in this letter by saying,

August 22, 2014

Christian Standard

Revealed in the Breaking of the Bread

By Mark S. Krause In the old Errol Flynn movie The Adventures of Robin Hood, there is a remarkable scene of revelation. Robin Hood has been fighting the injustice of evil Prince John, who was ruling England in the absence of his brother, King Richard the Lionheart. King Richard had gone to the Holy Land for a Crusade, and his whereabouts are uncertain. Some believe him dead. However, Richard returns to England with a few men, incognito, in the dress of monks. Richard realizes his danger and decides to seek out Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest. Still clad in monk”s

August 18, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 24, 2014: An Appeal for Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 6:1″“7:4)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 17 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  In the section of 2 Corinthians just before today”s printed text, the apostle Paul discussed why Christians must resolve differences (5:11-21). Compelled by Christ”s love, we are to practice “the ministry of reconciliation” (v. 18). Paul reminded the church that God”s forgiveness of us is a model of how we should forgive others (compare Matthew 6:12).   Corinthians” Need 2

August 11, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 17, 2014: Treasure in Clay Jars (2 Corinthians 4:1-15)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the  The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Paul”s suffering is mentioned throughout this second letter to the Corinthians, especially in chapters 4, 6, and 11. When the Lord called him into his service, he revealed his plan to use Paul as a “chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles.” He added, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15, 16). The apostle”s

August 8, 2014

Christian Standard

Why Celebrate Every Week?

By Mark S. Krause Some in the church world today ask, “Why celebrate the Lord”s Supper every week?” In the Christian churches/churches of Christ, we celebrate the Lord”s Supper each Sunday because we find that pattern reflected in the early church described in the New Testament. While it is inevitable that the church has changed over the centuries, we believe there are basic patterns worth preserving, and this is one of them. But this leads to a more basic question: “Why did the early church celebrate the Lord”s Supper every week?” The answer is very simple, but it requires a

August 4, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 10, 2014: Forgiveness and Restoration (2 Corinthians 1:23″“2:17)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 3 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Paul”s first letter to the Corinthian church contained many things that were difficult for the people to hear and to heed. One issue involved a man who had a sexual relationship with his father”s wife (1 Corinthians 5:1). The apostle directed the church to separate from him (5:2, 11-13). The purpose for this exercise of church discipline was to save the

July 28, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 3, 2014: Comfort in Times of Trouble (2 Corinthians 1:3-11)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the July 27 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Last month”s lessons were all based on Paul”s first letter to the church in Corinth. This month we study his second letter to the Corinthians. Apparently the apostle wrote his second epistle around AD 55. Some of the false teachers in the church continued to misrepresent him, seeking to diminish his influence there. This letter responded to these attacks coming

July 21, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 27, 2014: Seek the Good of Others (1 Corinthians 14:13-26)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the July 20 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  From the day that the church began in Jerusalem, God endowed certain members with miraculous gifts. These were needed in that day. When the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, they began to preach in tongues (Acts 2:6-11). These were languages that they did not know and had not studied. As

July 14, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 20, 2014: Overcome Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:1-22)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the July 13 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone  Paul guided the Corinthians to live as a community of believers. In chapter 8 he answered their questions about eating meat that had been sacrificed to an idol. In chapter 9 he responded to an inquiry about his apostleship. Paul then warned about the possibility of becoming a “castaway” (9:27, King James Version). Here in chapter 10 he

July 7, 2014

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 13, 2014: Exercise Freedom with Caution (1 Corinthians 8, 9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Paul”s first letter to the church in Corinth was prompted by a letter from them. They evidently asked Paul”s advice on several issues. Last week we considered one such topic, sexual laxity (chapter 6). Today”s text focuses on another question: Is it permissible for Christians to eat meat that has been sacrificed to an idol? First-century Corinth was known for its worship of pagan deities. Their worship included immorality. When a pagan offered a sacrifice in

July 1, 2014

Christian Standard

Most Memorable

By Mark S. Krause What was your most memorable Lord”s Supper celebration? Recently I shared the table of the Lord with 800 believers at the International Church in Kathmandu, Nepal. These were mainly expatriates””Christians far from home who were hungry for the fellowship of Communion. It cheered my soul to be with believers who prized this moment so deeply. Think back. What was a memorable Lord”s Supper for you? I can recall sharing at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem on Resurrection Sunday, with a village church in Uganda, and with a great crowd at the North American Christian Convention. What

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