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.

July 23, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 29, 2012: Jehoshaphat Makes Judicial Reforms (2 Chronicles 18, 19)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone King Jehoshaphat was one of the more godly kings in the time of the divided kingdom. He ruled Judah around 873-848 BC, succeeding his father, Asa, on the throne (2 Chronicles 17:1). The writer declares, “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because in his early years he walked in the ways his father David had followed” (v. 3). He removed the “high places” used for pagan worship in Judah. Later in his life, however, he made the

July 16, 2012

Christian Standard

Let the Dead Bury Their Own Dead

By C. Robert Wetzel I am not dead. At least I wasn”t when I wrote this article. But I have come to see that Jesus was talking about people like me when he said, “Let the dead bury their own dead.” Let me explain. While reflecting on Matthew 8:19-22, which contains that quote, I remembered something that had happened about 30 years ago during our 11-year ministry in England. During that time, I would spend about a month each year visiting churches in the United States that supported or might support our ministry. On one of those trips I was

July 16, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 22, 2012: A King Acts on a Widow”s Behalf (2 Kings 4:1-37; 8:1-6)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone To fully appreciate today”s text, we need to review what led up to it. God kept his Word to Abraham when he brought him into the promised land and gave him the “promised son” late in his life. His descendants continued to receive the Lord”s blessings as the nation grew in Canaan. Although the Hebrew people spent some 400 years in Egypt at one point, they returned again to the land God had promised as their

July 9, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 15, 2012: Solomon Judges with Wisdom and Justice (1 Kings 3; 2 Chronicles 9:8)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Solomon succeeded his father, King David, as ruler of Israel. Early in his reign, before he built the temple in Jerusalem, he went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices. There he offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar. At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream. God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you” (1 Kings 3:5). Solomon responded in complete humility, “O Lord . . . you have made your

July 7, 2012

Christian Standard

Artists Contribute to Yearlong Bible Emphasis

By Jennifer Taylor Harbor of Hope Christian Church (North Chelmsford, MA) began “Garden to City,” a yearlong journey through the Bible, in January. The sermons at each weekend service in 2012 correspond to a weekly Bible reading plan, and a special blog reinforces the themes with articles, quotes, and videos. Harbor of Hope”s staff approached local artist Bradford Rusick with the idea of hosting an art exhibition to complement the “Garden to City” story; Rusick then connected with Amirah, a Boston nonprofit that is building a safe house to provide whole-person care to women who have come out of human

July 2, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 8, 2012: David Embodies God”s Justice (2 Samuel 22:1″“23:7; 1 Chronicles 18:14)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone God holds the leaders of a nation to a high standard. He expects them to model the justice he himself shows. David began life as a shepherd boy, but he was called to sit on the throne of Israel. Today”s text describes his role and the spirit that marked his reign. These references to his rule are significant because of the covenantal character of his kingship. The prophet Nathan had delivered God”s promise to him years

June 25, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 1, 2012: Samuel Administers Justice (1 Samuel 4″“7)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Further evidence of God”s desire for justice is found as we move from the patriarchs and judges to the kings. Samuel is a “bridge” figure between the latter two groups. He had a role unique in Hebrew history. He was a prophet (1 Samuel 3:20), but he was also a judge (7:15). It was Samuel who anointed both King Saul (10:1; 15:1), and later King David (16:13) to rule over Israel. He was a strong and

June 22, 2012

Christian Standard

Endless Summer

By Rick Chromey Few seasons, other than Christmas, have more songs dedicated to them than summer. The soundtrack of our youth is loaded with countless odes to those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer in the city. Even when the summertime blues proved cruel, most boys of summer still favored hot fun in the summertime. After all, who doesn”t enjoy a summer breeze to make you feel fine? Perhaps the reason summer captures our imagination and inspires our soul is we”d love for it to be, as the Beach Boys” album suggested, “endless.” Summer reminds us of childhood and a

June 18, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for June 24, 2012: Love God; Love People (Deuteronomy 10:1-22; 16:18-20)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Today”s suggested devotional reading, Micah 6:1-8, presents the same principles taught in our printed text. Both passages show the importance God places on how his people treat others. All of our lessons so far this quarter have been based on sections of “the law,” the first five books of the Old Testament. The book called Deuteronomy literally means “second law.” Moses had given the law to the people at Mount Sinai years before. But because of

June 11, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for June 17, 2012: Celebrate Jubilee (Leviticus 25)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Last week we learned that the Israelites were required to help the poor and the aliens in their midst. The Lord required fair and just treatment for everyone. This week”s lesson explains an additional unique practice God ordained for his children””jubilee. In our time, “jubilee” often suggests a big party or celebration. To the Hebrews, however, it was “a year of emancipation and restoration provided by Hebrew law to be kept by the emancipation of Hebrew

June 4, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for June 10, 2012: Live as God’s Just People (Leviticus 19)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Compassion is a key part of justice. In the Lord”s directions for how the people of Israel should live, justice is clearly an inherent ingredient. This is emphasized in the first five books of the Old Testament, known as “the Law.” An interesting literary device in today”s text is the repetition of the phrases “I am the Lord” and “I am the Lord your God.” In the 37 verses of Leviticus 19, the two expressions occur

May 28, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for June 3, 2012: Practice Justice (Exodus 22:1-23:9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In the three summer months we will focus attention on an important theme throughout Scripture””justice. The lessons will include highlights from 12 Old Testament books. They make it plain that God is concerned that his people be consistent in practicing his kind of justice in our very wicked world. The book of Exodus does not simply tell about how the children of Israel left Egypt. In addition it contains the laws laid down by God to

May 21, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for May 27, 2012: The Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Some Bible students have pointed out that while John 13 contains a narrative and a dialogue, chapters 14, 15, 16, and 17 each have a central theme. The predominant note in John 14 is conflict. The setting for this week”s lesson text is the night Jesus was betrayed. After instituting the Lord”s Supper in the upper room, Jesus and his disciples (except Judas) set out for the Garden of Gethsemane.   Christ”s Promises John 14:1-4 Do

May 14, 2012

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Lesson for May 20, 2012: The Resurrection and the Life (John 11:1-44)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Matthew, Mark, and Luke are known as the “synoptic Gospels.” These three accounts of Jesus” life follow a similar outline and record many of the same events. The Gospel of John, written some years later, supplements our knowledge of Christ”s ministry in a wonderful way. While John recounts many of the same things as the other three, he also includes other significant teachings and events not previously recorded. Today”s lesson is one of them. Near the

May 11, 2012

Christian Standard

The Privilege I Anticipate

By Bryce Jessup I remember telling my dad at the age of 9 I wanted to become a Christian. I recall my older brother saying, “All he wants to do is be able to take Communion.” There was quite a discussion that ensued between my dad and his two sons! After studying for a number of weeks under my dad”s direction, I went forward to commit my life to Christ and be baptized. It was a wonderful time of celebration and hope for the future. I remember my uncle pouring some water into the baptistery from a vial he filled

May 7, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for May 13, 2012: The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone In the Old Testament, God”s relation to the Hebrew people was often compared to that of a shepherd and his sheep (Jeremiah 31:10; Ezekiel 34:31). It is not surprising to find that Jesus used the same illustration (Luke 15:3-6). Today”s lesson is taken again from John”s Gospel. The setting is Jerusalem, well into Christ”s ministry.   The Good Shepherd and the Sheep John 10:7-10 By saying, “I tell you the truth,” Jesus clearly connects what he

May 3, 2012

Christian Standard

Backward, Inward, and Forward

By Bryce Jessup Communion points us in three directions. We look backward, inward, and forward. First Corinthians 11:23-29 was written for troubled people who needed repentance, forgiveness, and acceptance in order to go forward with their lives. The same need exists for us today. The backward look is to Jesus when he said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me” (v. 25). Communion is looking back to the cross and seeing the One who died so that we might live. He hung from the cross not because of

April 30, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for May 6, 2012: The Bread of Life (John 6)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone An entire year elapsed between the healing of the lame man (John 5) and the feeding of the 5,000 (John 6). This would be two years after the first cleansing of the temple and one year before the crucifixion. John explains that his Gospel contains only a limited number of the many miracles and teachings of the Lord (John 20:30, 31; 21:25). Seth Wilson observes that the feeding of the 5,000 was a “turning-point in Jesus”

April 28, 2012

Christian Standard

Born into His Family

By Bryce Jessup One of my most memorable Communion times was sitting with my family circled in our campsite at Yosemite National Park. The day before, a number of us had caught our limits of trout. Half Dome was visible, the morning sun was warming us up, and we were rejoicing in our family vacation time on the Lord”s Day. Before we communed, my father invited each of us to share a verse of Scripture or some event wherein we had felt the touch of a loving God. Each of our children shared briefly, as did my wife and I.

April 23, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for April 29, 2012: Blind Man Receives Sight (John 9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The miracle that we study today took place later in Jesus” earthly ministry, probably four or five months before his final Passover. Once more the scene is Jerusalem. Jesus chose to demonstrate his authority by another miracle of healing. Giving sight to the blind had been prophesied as an example of the Messiah”s work (see Isaiah 35:5; 42:7).   The Healing John 9:1-7 When the disciples encountered a man who had been blind from birth, it

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