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.

February 20, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Feb. 26, 2012: Bearing the Fruit of Redemption (Galatians 5:2″“6:18)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This week we conclude a four-week survey of the book of Galatians. This also is the final lesson under this quarter”s general topic, “God establishes a faithful people.” The Christians in Galatia had to contend with false teachers who insisted on the legalism of first-century Judaism. They taught that a person first had to become a Jew before he could become a Christian. Paul pointed out that this was never the case (Galatians 2:6-9; see Acts

February 14, 2012

Christian Standard

Works Without Grace Are Dead

By Todd Parmenter As the economy faltered and recession began in 2008, offerings began to shrink at the church I served. Some members lost jobs, some others relocated because their jobs moved, physical needs of people in the congregation increased, and a general malaise of uncertainty hung in the air. We cut expenses wherever possible, including some painful staff layoffs. We tightened our belts and ramped up efforts to teach the congregation good financial skills. But still we struggled to pay all the bills, and eventually we couldn”t. In September 2008, the church couldn”t pay both the mortgage and the payroll

February 13, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Feb. 19, 2012: Inheriting Abraham”s Promise (Galatians 3:15″“5:1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians to correct false teaching that had influenced the church. Some insisted that Christians must observe everything in the Old Testament law. This month”s lessons refute this idea. No one can be justified by observing the law (Galatians 2:16). The law had an important purpose, however, although the law itself was not to be permanent. Even when God gave the Old Testament law to Israel, it is clear that it

February 7, 2012

Christian Standard

The Lodge and the Lord”s Supper

By Mark A. Taylor I”m not sure now why I attended the monthly meeting of the local lodge. I had been invited by someone, maybe to pray or see him installed into some office. I don”t recall who he was or any specifics about the evening. I only remember my reaction to being there. The whole service was meaningless to me, in spite of the sober demeanor of the lodge members who participated in it. They somberly went through the motions, careful to complete the program “decently and in order.” But none of it communicated anything to me. Many of

February 6, 2012

Christian Standard

More Than a Memorial

By Tom Lawson The language we use when talking about Communion has a great deal to do with our history. A quick review of any English Bible will demonstrate words like memorial or emblematic or symbolic are not found in any of the passages about Communion. So, where do they come from and why do we hear them so often? The flip side of that question might be: Why are there a number of biblical phrases and teachings about the Lord”s Supper we rarely hear? To understand why we hear what we hear, it is important we take a brief

February 6, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Feb. 12, 2012: Blessed with Abraham (Galatians 3:1-14)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Paul continues his warning to the Galatian Christians in today”s text. In last week”s lesson he asserted that “a man is not justified by observing the law” (Galatians 2:16). This by itself should have silenced the Judaizers who insisted that a Gentile must first become a Jew before he could become a Christian. It is self-defeating for a person to return to the Old Testament regulations while saying he trusts in Jesus and follows him.  

February 5, 2012

Christian Standard

Meeting and Meaning at the Lord’s Supper

By Lee Magness   Gathering is central to our identity. Worship is central to our gathering. And breaking bread is central to our worship.   Luke describes how, “On the first day of the week we came together to break bread” with the early Christians of Troas (Acts 20:7). So many centuries later, their practice is still instructive. The Lord’s people gathered for the Lord’s worship on the Lord’s Day to share the Lord’s Supper.   The church may gather for any number of reasons—for service, for prayer, for study. But there is no better reason for Christians to gather

January 31, 2012

Christian Standard

Seven Heavens

By Daniel Schantz Heaven is probably not the word my mother would use to describe the seven parsonages I lived in, growing up in the 1950s. But, being a child, I was utterly unaware of the things that drove my mother to the brink of breakdown: carpets the color of dried blood, a 10-by-10 kitchen with no windows, and one bathroom for eight people. I was much too busy having fun to notice details like that. Anywhere was Heaven to me, as long as we were all together. Thousands of stories have been written about parsonages because they are different

January 30, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Feb. 5, 2012: Justified by Faith in Christ (Galatians 1, 2)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone During the first two months of this quarter, we studied how God established an everlasting covenant with his people. Lessons from Genesis and Exodus showed the Lord protecting the Israelites, just as he had promised. This month we will study Paul”s letter to the Galatians, showing that Gentile Christians are now a full-fledged part of God”s family also. The Galatians had been led astray from the original gospel. A group known as the Judaizers were telling

January 23, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Jan. 29, 2012: Israel Is Delivered from Egypt (Exodus 1-15)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone For the past two months we have studied God”s covenant relationship with Abraham and his descendants. We have seen the Lord”s protection surrounding Joseph and his family as well. God”s chosen people ended up in Egypt after Jacob and his entire family moved there to escape a famine in Canaan. Time passed. The book of Exodus begins with an ominous note: “Then a new king, who did not know about Joseph, came to power in Egypt”

January 16, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Jan. 22, 2012: Joseph Transmits Abraham”s Promise (Genesis 50)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Joseph is one of the most outstanding figures in the Old Testament. His life teaches us that the actions of evil people cannot really hurt us as long as we stay true to God and do what he wants us to do. Joseph experienced at least five major temptations during his life: favoritism in the home (Genesis 37:3, 4); bitterness as a slave (39:1); immorality in secret (39:6-12); discouragement at obstacles (39:13-20); and revenge at opportunity

January 9, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Jan. 15, 2012: God Preserves a Remnant (Genesis 42:1″”46:7)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ God Preserves a Remnant (Genesis 42:1″”46:7) By Sam E. Stone This month we are highlighting events from the life of Joseph under the general theme, “God”s Protection.” In last week”s lesson we saw Joseph correctly interpret the Pharaoh”s dream and placed “second in command” over the entire land of Egypt. In that capacity he supervised a program to store up the extra grain from the seven years of abundance, then ration it out during the seven years of famine. The

January 2, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Jan. 8, 2012: Joseph Finds Favor (Genesis 41)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ Joseph Finds Favor (Genesis 41) By Sam E. Stone Joseph could have complained when he was sent to prison. Some would declare, “A guy tries to do right and look where it gets him! He gets thrown into jail!” We have no record that Joseph displayed such an attitude at any time, however. What we find is that “the Lord was with him” (Genesis 39:21). God “showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.”

December 28, 2011

Christian Standard

Getting the Most from Revelation (Part Two)

By Matt Proctor Part One of this article examined four hermeneutical keys to help you unlock the meaning of the book of Revelation. But, what about the book”s significance? Even if I understand how to read Revelation, an important question remains: why should I read it? How will it help me devotionally? In what ways will it make me a better follower of Jesus? Another way of asking this: We know God has promised a blessing to those who take hold of the words of Revelation (1:3). But what kind of blessings should our people expect? Here are seven ways

December 27, 2011

Christian Standard

Why New Testament Christians Should Study the Old Testament

By Steve Hooks The Stone-Campbell Movement has served Christendom well through its invitation of all believers to practice “New Testament Christianity.” An unintended and unfortunate consequence of this plea, however, has been the historical neglect of the Old Testament in the preaching and teaching of many Restoration churches. Regarding the New Testament as the “only rule of faith and practice,” some in our fellowship have come to view the Old Testament as no longer relevant for the believer. The Old Testament, it is argued, was for the Jews. Having brought us to Christ it has now served its intended purpose

December 26, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Jan. 1, 2012: Joseph Shows Character (Genesis 37, 39)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ Joseph Shows Character (Genesis 37, 39) By Sam E. Stone Someone said, “Character is what a person does in the dark.” Another observed, “Character is what you do when you know no one will find out.” Both descriptions apply to Joseph. In last month”s lessons we studied Abraham. We saw the fulfillment of God”s promise to send the Savior through his descendants. Abraham”s son Isaac had two sons, Jacob and Esau. In the years that followed, Jacob himself had 12

December 19, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Dec. 25, 2011: The Lord Keeps His Promise (Luke 1:26″“2:7; Galatians 3:6-18)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ The Lord Keeps His Promise (Luke 1:26″“2:7; Galatians 3:6-18) By Sam E. Stone God always keeps his promises. The life of Abraham provides an excellent illustration of this. In recent weeks, we saw an elderly, childless couple become parents. Moving forward 2,000 years, today”s lesson reveals that from their descendants came God”s own Son, bringing the hope of salvation for all people. The first section of our text is part of Mary”s song after she learned that she would give

December 18, 2011

Christian Standard

Getting the Most from Revelation (Part One)

By Matt Proctor At first I steered clear of this perplexing book. But then a seminary class showed me that no Bible book offers greater help or relevance for Christians today. When I interviewed for my first preaching ministry at age 23, I told the pulpit committee I absolutely believed in the power of God”s Word to transform lives. I told them I was convinced “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). I affirmed for them my commitment to proclaim “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27, English Standard

December 16, 2011

Christian Standard

The Impact of God”s Word on My Heart

By Dean Trune I desperately need daily input from the Bible. Because it is “alive and active,” according to Hebrews 4:12, I can examine the same verse or passage from time to time, and the Holy Spirit will “speak” truth in applicable ways for what is happening in my life at that particular time. God”s Word is so powerful! Since I need a steady flow of God”s Word into my life, God has orchestrated four ways for me to receive its input.   I read God”s Word from cover to cover each calendar year. It is not simply a goal,

December 12, 2011

Christian Standard

Your Journey with the Word

By Kelly Carr Have you ever thought about how amazing it is to have daily access to the Word of God””a privilege unknown for centuries? We can have the Bible on our bookshelf, our e-book reader, our car stereo, MP3 player, computer, tablet, and our phone””all at the same time! If you”re looking for a new plan to jump-start your Bible-reading habit, this article is for you. We”ve compiled a variety of Bible reading plans, including some recommendations by Christian Standard readers. Whether you”re just beginning to read on a regular basis or you have read the Bible daily for

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