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.

November 1, 2013

Christian Standard

What on Earth?

By Neal Windham Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:22-24). Even believers sometimes struggle with the fact that an instrument of execution is the dominant symbol of the Christian faith.1 So it should come as no surprise that many ancient Jews and Greeks found the cross unacceptable. Generally speaking, the religious quest is, after all, about life, not death. It is

October 28, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for November 3, 2013: God Prepares for Deliverance (Exodus 1″“4)

By Sam E. Stone In our study of Genesis we saw God appear to Abraham (Genesis 15), reaffirming his promise to make of him a great nation. But God indicated that Abraham”s descendants would have to remain in Egypt for 400 years (v. 13). While the Israelites were enslaved there, a baby boy was born. His mother hid him in a basket (a papyrus boat) and placed it in the Nile River, hoping his life would be spared. Pharaoh”s daughter found him and drew him out of the water, giving him the name Moses. Moses saw that, while he had

October 21, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 27, 2013: The Blessing Passes to Jacob (Genesis 27, 28; 32:22-30; 35:9-15)

By Sam E. Stone Last week”s lesson concluded with Isaac becoming extremely prosperous (Genesis 26:13). He and his family moved south toward Beersheba, where his father Abraham had lived. Genesis 27 describes how Jacob tricked his father into giving him the special blessing that normally would have gone to his elder brother, Esau (27:1-40). When Esau learned of Jacob”s deception he cried, “Isn”t he rightly named Jacob? He has deceived me these two times: He took my birthright, and now he”s taken my blessing!” (v. 36). Esau planned to kill him after his father died. When his mother, Rebekah, learned

October 14, 2013

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Lesson for October 20, 2013: A Blessing for Ishmael and Isaac (Genesis 15″“17; 21:9-21; 26:1-25)

By Sam E. Stone Abraham is described in Scripture as an example of faith, and he certainly is (see Hebrews 11:8). But even “the father of the faithful” had his shortcomings. At one point in his life, he and Sarah seemed to doubt that God would fulfill his promise to give them a child. Sarah suggested they take things into their own hands. She urged Abraham to sleep with her handmaid, Hagar. He did and fathered a child””Ishmael. Their attempt to run ahead of God led to tragic results, the effects of which are still obvious in the world today.

October 7, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 13, 2013: A Promise to Sarah (Genesis 17:15-17; 18:9-15; 21:1-7)

By Sam E. Stone When God originally called Abram (as he was then known) to leave his home in Ur of the Chaldeans, he summarized the blessings that would follow (Genesis 12:1-3). Abram was 75 years old at the time. He and his family went to Canaan and from there to Egypt to secure food during a famine. He and his nephew Lot separated upon their return to the promised land. Once more God reaffirmed his covenant with Abram (Genesis 15:1-5). Sarai, Abram”s wife, still had borne no children. She encouraged her husband to marry her Egyptian maidservant, Hagar (16:1-4).

September 30, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for October 6, 2013: The Promise of a Future (Genesis 12:1-7; 13; 15; 17:8)

By Sam E. Stone For the past four weeks we have noted highlights from the opening chapters of Genesis, considering the creation, the fall, the flood, and the Tower of Babel. Today our focus centers on Abraham as we see God”s plan for man”s redemption begin to unfold. His initial call from God came while he was still in Mesopotamia (Genesis 12:1-3; see Acts 7:2). After moving to Canaan he and his family then had a sojourn in Egypt, and later separated from Lot. In Genesis 15 Abram (as he was then known) asked God if his servant Eliezer would

September 23, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 29, 2013: God Scatters the Nations (Genesis 11:1-9)

By Sam E. Stone After Noah and his family came out of the ark, they sought to follow God”s directions (Genesis 8, 9). Chapter 10 is sometimes called “The Table of Nations,” listing where the families of Noah”s sons settled after the flood. The chapter concludes, “These are the clans of Noah”s sons, according to their lines of descent, within their nations” (10:32).   The Setting Genesis 11:1, 2 Noah”s descendants were evidently nomadic people. They moved south and east to the land of Shinar. At some point, they determined to build a city in the region around the area

September 16, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 22, 2013: An Everlasting Covenant (Genesis 6:9″“9:28)

By Sam E. Stone God created Adam and Eve and placed them in the Garden of Eden. Everything was perfect. All too quickly, however, the first humans sinned (Genesis 3). Soon their son Cain sinned too (Genesis 4). The next chapter of Genesis records the genealogy from Adam to Noah. Chapter 5 concludes, “After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth” (v. 32). Genesis 6-8 describes the construction of the ark, the gathering of the animals along with his family, and the flood itself. After the waters finally receded (more than a year

September 9, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 15, 2013: Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis 3)

By Sam E. Stone What a difference a day makes! When last week”s text concluded, everything was good in the Garden of Eden. God had evaluated all of his creation and pronounced it “very good.” The one remaining need was to create a suitable companion for Adam. God gave him Eve. All was well. It was not long, however, till things changed. Genesis 3 introduces a new character into the account””the serpent. “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made.” Although the serpent is not identified by name as Satan or

September 6, 2013

Christian Standard

Their Witness, and Ours

By David Ray   If only trees could talk . . . Outside the walls of Jerusalem, across the Kidron Valley and near the foot of a rising hillside, was a garden called Gethsemane. It held a grove of olive trees, perhaps privately owned and set off from public space, but graciously made available to Jesus and his disciples whenever needed. A place of quiet retreat, it was far enough away to escape the hectic press of the city, but still close enough to see the temple clearly. By day, the garden was a cooler place, with shade found under

September 2, 2013

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Lesson for September 8, 2013: God”s Image””Male and Female (Genesis 1, 2; 5:1, 2)

By Sam E. Stone “First Things” is the theme that ties this quarter”s lessons together, using excerpts from both Genesis and Exodus. We will see not only the first days of creation, but also how God formed his people Israel as the first nation, and then how their first freedom came about. Moses wrote Genesis. Inspired by God, he recorded things that only the Creator could know. Because of this, Scripture gives the only definitive account of creation. Each day is described in Genesis 1. Today”s text provides more details about what happened on the sixth day, when the Lord

August 30, 2013

Christian Standard

Communion . . . and Grace

By David Timms Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Perhaps nothing hurts as much as betrayal. A wife discovers a string of e-mails and realizes her husband has been intimate with another woman. Or a man receives a note from his wife saying she and one of his longtime friends plan to start a life together. Or someone at work gives the boss information that was shared in confidence. Betrayal cuts deeply for all of us, and no less so for Jesus. That last night with his disciples, Judas sat close to Jesus. The plot was in place,

August 26, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 1, 2013: God Creates (Psalm 104)

By Sam E. Stone During the next two months we will study highlights from the book of Genesis. Today”s lesson provides a helpful introduction to the creation account (Genesis 1). It leads the reader to praise God for his unimaginable greatness and goodness, shown when he made the world. The psalm has been described as “a poetical commentary upon the first chapter of Genesis.” It ranks with Job 38, 39, Psalm 8, 19, 29, and Habakkuk 3. This beautiful hymn praises God for the wonders of creation. The content parallels the creation account in Genesis 1. Some Bible students see

August 23, 2013

Christian Standard

Communion . . . and Humility

By David Timms Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Remember summer camp or church camp? Those late nights raiding other tents or dorms? Those camp meals that looked increasingly familiar as the week went on? The mosquitoes, bugs, and sunburn that made for some uncomfortable moments? But most of all . . . cleanup duties at the end. Remember the scramble not to be assigned the shower and toilet block? Remember the hair, the soap residue, and the scum? It was nasty, and nobody in their right mind would volunteer for that job. We were made for a

August 19, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 25, 2013: Sabbath Reforms (Nehemiah 13:4-31)

By Sam E. Stone The conclusion of the book of Nehemiah emphasizes how reform happens. James E. Smith observes, “Once again the reading of Scripture had driven home to the Jews the obligation to be holy unto Yahweh. The prohibition here enjoined (Nehemiah 13:1-3) was not absolute. It was religious, not ethnic. Those who embraced in faith the God of Israel, like Ruth the Moabitess, could find a very different reception in Israel.” Nehemiah 13 describes a time somewhat removed from the first chapters. Nehemiah has now returned to Jerusalem from his homeland (v. 6-9). While some feel he had

August 16, 2013

Christian Standard

Communion . . . and Unity

By David Timms Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” When we attend a football game or a baseball game, we remember far more than the score (if we even remember the score). The whole event comes back to mind; driving to the game, our parking spot, our seats, the noise of the crowd, peanuts in the shell, the $6 hot dogs, and so much more. We remember everything surrounding the event. So did the disciples. That last night with Jesus was indelibly imprinted on their minds. How could they forget? They gathered for the Passover meal. Jesus washed

August 12, 2013

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Lesson for August 18, 2013: Dedication of the Wall (Nehemiah 12:27-43)

By Sam E. Stone The first part of the book of Nehemiah describes the rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem. This was completed. Today”s text tells about the dedication ceremony of the rebuilt walls that followed. Chapter 12 lists the priests and Levites who had returned to their homeland and now will participate in this joyful occasion. Likely both the Levites and the priests who lived outside Jerusalem were assigned a normal rotation of duties in the temple. On this special occasion, however, additional arrangements were made.   Dedication Preparation Nehemiah 12:27-30 For years the Levites had been

August 9, 2013

Christian Standard

Communion . . . and Service

By David Timms Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” We typically use the word remember in a rather abstract way. Do you remember your first car? Your first boyfriend or girlfriend? Your first job? The birth of your first child? We recall an event and the warm emotions attached to it. Or perhaps we were forced to remember information for school. Remember the list of presidents? Remember those algebraic equations? Remember participles, passives, and prepositions? That kind of recall can raise our blood pressure and stress all over again. Let”s not dredge up those memories! But remember Jesus

August 7, 2013

Christian Standard

What”s New with the Standard Lesson Commentary?

By Jon Underwood It”s midsummer, but many people are already anticipating fall and the launch of a new year of church programs that come with it. That includes a new line of the Standard Lesson Commentaries and the new lineup of Standard Lesson Quarterly products. The Standard Lesson Commentary is the best-selling lesson commentary on the Uniform Series (International Sunday School Lessons), a system of Bible study that has been around since 1872. Standard Publishing has been involved with the Uniform Series since very near the beginning. The company”s founder, and Christian Standard”s first editor, Isaac Errett, served on the

August 5, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 11, 2013: Community of Confession (Nehemiah 9:1-37)

By Sam E. Stone Today”s lesson comes immediately after last week”s text (Nehemiah 8:2, 3, 13-18). Following the observance of the Feast of Tabernacles, the people had a single day off. Then their feasting turned to fasting. James B. Coffman points out, “A very important revelation of this chapter is that it was the Levites, and not the priests, who led Israel in this penitential prayer of confession and praise to God . . . . There is not a word in this chapter that even hints of any priestly participation in this great repentance, confession and prayer.” The text

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