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.

August 27, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for September 2, 2012: Faith Calls for Perseverance (Hebrews 10)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ 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 written before the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem in AD 70 since the temple

August 26, 2012

Christian Standard

Calvinism: A Chronicle and a Warning

By Stephen Richardson Popular print media, both religious and secular, have reported the resurgence of Calvinist theology, especially among young Evangelical Christians. Perhaps we ought to review Calvinism”s basic tenets and consider cautions about its implications. Known generally as Reformed Theology, Calvinism has been a prominent feature of Protestant Christianity since the 16th century. The extent of John Calvin”s influence upon Christian thought is incalculable and cannot be ignored””nor should we desire to overlook him. Both Calvinists and those who are not recognize his stellar mind represented in prodigious literary output and stimulating contributions to Christian theology. We must give Calvin

August 20, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 26, 2012: God Promised to Be with Us (Ezekiel 34)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Ezekiel”s prophetic ministry began while the Jews were in Babylonian captivity. He warned of the coming destruction of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 1-24). Later he delivered God”s judgment on various nations (Ezekiel 25-32). Our text today is taken from the latter period of Ezekiel”s preaching, as he brought hope for the exiles (Ezekiel 33-48). Although the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, even this city would be restored, the prophet told them. The name of the restored city

August 13, 2012

Christian Standard

Introducing Standard Lesson Resources

By Jon Underwood This year marks 60 years of publishing the Standard Lesson Commentary. While that sounds impressive, it barely scratches the surface of Standard Publishing”s tradition of publishing Sunday school resources. The Adult Bible Class is in its 137th year of publication, and Bible Teacher and Leader is in its 114th. Since the beginning of the Uniform Series in 1872, Standard Publishing has been involved. Our founder, Isaac Errett, served on the Lesson Committee from 1884 until his death in 1888. Standard Publishing has a proud history, but it”s not living in the past. This year we are introducing

August 13, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 19, 2012: God Promised a Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:1-8; 33)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone God sent the prophet Jeremiah to the southern kingdom of Judah. He faced difficult challenges seeing conditions in Judah go from bad to worse. The previous chapter (22) outlines the failings of three evil kings who had succeeded Josiah. The rulers are spoken of as “shepherds.” These men should have been pastors of the flock, lovingly caring for the people and leading them in the right paths. Instead they were just the opposite. They shed innocent

August 6, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 12, 2012: God Promised a Righteous Lord (Isaiah 9:1-7)

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 text is one most readers associate with the Christmas season. It pictures the coming of Jesus (the Messiah) into the world. Today we see it is also a prophecy that goes back long before that. To the original audience””the people to whom Isaiah spoke””it simply meant hope for the future. Isaiah predicted the coming attacks of Assyria upon the nation (chapters 7-12). King Ahaz was inexperienced and fearful. Things did not look good for his

July 30, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for August 5, 2012: Praise for God”s Justice (Psalm 146; Exodus 21″“23; Isaiah 58)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The book of Psalms is divided into five sections. The last five psalms are sometimes called the “Hallelujah Psalms,” since all of them begin and end with the word hallelujah, literally, “Praise the Lord.” Bible scholars like to try to guess what prompted the writing of Psalm 146. Had the writer gone through a sad experience by putting his trust in some prominent person? Had Jewish rulers recently committed some serious blunder? Or are these words

July 26, 2012

Christian Standard

What Our Websites Say about Baptism

By Daniel Overdorf I baptized my younger son on New Year”s Day. On a day of new beginnings, we celebrated his new birth. My voice cracked when I asked him to confess what he believes about Jesus. He responded, “I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.” These words rang sweeter in my ears than the first words he spoke as a toddler. My tears mixed with the baptismal water when I lowered him into the burial of his old self, and raised him as a new creation in Jesus. I experienced the same joy

July 26, 2012

Christian Standard

What Are They Saying about Baptism? (Samples from Church Websites We Visited)

By Daniel Overdorf An extended discussion that presents a solid biblical argument with a positive tone: “¢ Hazelwood Christian Church, Clayton, Indiana; See downloadable three-page document about the church”s view of baptism at www.hazelwoodchristian.org/hcc/about_us.   An exemplary medium-length discussion: “¢ Westerfield (Ohio) Christian Church; www.westerville-christian.org/about-us/what-we-believe.aspx In the New Testament church, once people believed in Jesus were willing to turn from sin (repentance) and publicly confess Christ as Lord, they were then baptized for the forgiveness of their sins and the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38, 41; 22:16). In the original Greek language, baptize meant to dip, plunge,

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

Be Seen, Be Heard - A Live Online Workshop to Increase Online Visibility for Local Churches
(Tap the Flyer Below for Details)

Learn how to make the Sermon Content you’re already producing draw people into your local church.

For preachers, church media and website teams, and anyone who’d like to learn how to increase the visibility of their local church online.

 


GET EVENT DETAILS & RESERVE YOUR SPOT

No, thank you.
Transactions are 100% secure.
Help Keep Christian Standard Free & Accessible with a Tax Deductible Donation

We can do more together!

Every gift makes a difference!

No, thank you.
100% secure transactions - receipts provided.
Does Your Church Want to Support Christian Standard?

Would your church consider including support for Christian Standard in its annual missions budget? Your support would help us not only continue the 160-year legacy of this unifying ministry, but also expand the free resources, cooperative opportunities, and practical guidance we provide to strengthen churches in the U.S. and around the world.

We can do more together!

Every gift makes a difference!

No, thank you.
100% secure transactions - receipts provided.
Secret Link