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 22, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Aug. 28, 2011: Caring for One Another (Ruth 4:1-10)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 28) is written by Jason Jones, an elementary school principal with East Clinton Local Schools in New Vienna, Ohio. ____________ Caring for One Another (Ruth 4:1-10) By Jason Jones There is nothing I enjoy more than an evening at the ballpark: peanuts and hot dogs, watching boats on the Ohio River, and then a ninth-inning rally by the home team to send me home happy. It just doesn”t get much better. I”m a creature of habit. I park in the same place. I sit in the same seat. I

August 20, 2011

Christian Standard

My Favorite Passage

By Tom Ellsworth My favorite passage of Scripture? I hem and haw and generally fumble trying to find the right answer. What about John 3:16? Naw, everyone picks that one””be more original. All right, how about Philippians 4:13? Overused. OK, let”s try the Old Testament””Psalm 23? Did somebody die? That”s a funeral text. Sorry, I”ll say Revelation 3:20. Are you serious? You”re going to pick prophecy as your favorite? The inner deliberation rages while on the outside I try to appear thoughtful and decisive. How does one choose a favorite passage? That”s like asking me to identify which of my

August 15, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Aug. 21, 2011: Empowering the Needy (Ruth 2:8-18)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 21) is written by Janet McMahon, community life director with Restore Community Church, Kansas City, Missouri. ____________ Empowering the Needy (Ruth 2:8-18) By Janet McMahon It started with this challenge from my friend John: “Why don”t you do something for someone who can never repay you?” Wow, that was a challenge for sure. Serving my friends and family was easy and natural for me most of the time””and often they would serve me in return. But finding someone who could never repay me was something new. Shortly after that

August 12, 2011

Christian Standard

An Embarrassment of Riches (Part 3: The Most Popular Translations)

By Mark S. Krause   Last week we looked at numbers eight through five on the list of top-selling English Bibles. The article included a survey of the presuppositions behind the translations, and their audiences. This week we will look at the top four. As before, we will compare the treatment of Psalm 8:4 and Matthew 16:18 in each version reviewed (see bottom for fuller explanation of our test verses).   4. New Living Translation The New Living Translation (NLT) first appeared in 1996 with a substantial update in 2007. Its roots can be traced to Kenneth Taylor”s The Living

August 8, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Aug. 14, 2011: Making a Choice (Ruth 1:8-18)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 14) is written by Jonathan Feathers, senior minister with West Waynesboro Church of Christ in Waynesboro, Virginia. ____________ Making a Choice (Ruth 1:8-18) By Jonathan Feathers (Note: The italicized words in this lesson may be used as discussion questions.) Choices, choices, choices. Do I choose what is behind curtain number one, two, or three? Should I choose vanilla ice cream, chocolate ice cream, or a combination of vanilla and chocolate? What will I do? Maybe I should ask, what choice do you think I should make? (Describe a time

August 3, 2011

Christian Standard

An Embarrassment of Riches (Part 2: Four Popular Translations)

By Mark S. Krause Last week we looked at five factors that shape an English translation of the Bible: interpretation, version genealogy, translation theory, audience, and gender-neutral language. This week and next week, we will take a quick look at eight translations.   Popular English Translations There are too many English translations of the Bible to write about each one, but we will focus on a few. In each case, we will look at the presuppositions behind the translation, its audience, and a couple of test verses: Psalm 8:4 and Matthew 16:18. Psalm 8:4 is well-known for its ringing question,

August 1, 2011

Christian Standard

An Embarrassment of Riches (Part 1: Why Different Translations?)

By Mark S. Krause This year marks the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version, the most famous English Bible translation of all time. The KJV continues to be used in many pulpits and Bible classes. Standard Publishing uses the KJV as the base translation for its enormously popular adult-level Standard Lesson Commentary. In the 19th century, after many years when the KJV was virtually the only version available, changes in English began to build pressure for new translations. KJV words such as thee, thou, hath, hast, wert, and wot were considered archaic. Many desired a Bible

August 1, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for Aug. 7, 2011: Walk in God”s Path (Judges 13:1-8, 24, 25)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for August 7) is written by Lori Mills, professor of psychology at Milligan College in Tennessee. ____________ Walk in God’s Path (Judges 13:1-8, 24, 25) By Lori Mills Can you recall a time you were consumed with wanting something? Perhaps it was a relationship, or child, or job, or healing from a disease. We might think we would do anything for God if he would just grant us our heart”s desire. We find ourselves promising God we will live our lives for him if he will just bless us by granting

July 25, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 31, 2011: Return to God”s Ways (Judges 10:10-18; 11:4-6, 32, 33)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for July 24) is written by Steve Carr, teaching minister at Echo Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. ____________ Return to God’s Ways (Judges 10:10-18: 11:4-6, 32, 33) By Thomas May “We have sinned against you, forsaking our God and serving the Baals” (Judges 10:10). Do you relate with the people of Israel during the time of the judges? One moment striving to follow God with heart and mind and soul and strength, and then””before you can blink””serving false gods. Do you ever feel that happening to you? You are not alone. In

July 22, 2011

Christian Standard

Faith, Liberty, and Love in the Holy Spirit

By Gary Holloway “In matters of faith, unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; in all things, love.” This is one of the most powerful statements in Christian history. It has been an influential statement for those of us who have a heritage in the American Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement. But in my experience, we have often argued and divided over matters of opinion. One problem is that what some consider opinion, others consider a matter of faith. It must have been the same in Paul”s time. In writing to the Romans, he talks about these disputable matters in Romans 13:8″”15:7. The

July 19, 2011

Christian Standard

The Holy Spirit and the First-Century Church

By Jack Cottrell The Holy Spirit, as one of the three persons of the Trinity, has been working alongside the Father and the Son since the world began (Genesis 1:2). He was involved in the life of God”s people, Israel, from the days of Moses onward (Numbers 11:17, 25; Isaiah 63:10-12). When the church took the place of Israel as the people of God, the Spirit continued his work and indeed added a new blessing, as indicated in Acts 2. He will continue to work among God”s people throughout this age and in the age everlasting. This essay focuses upon

July 18, 2011

Christian Standard

The Holy Spirit Today

By Chris Seidman Let me begin with some good news. Our imperfect understanding of the work of the Spirit does not serve to limit his actions in our churches. For thousands of years, humans enjoyed the benefits of oxygen without the slightest idea of its chemical properties or how it works in our bodies. When scientists began to better understand oxygen, however, their ability to work in partnership with it also grew. That increased knowledge has improved everything from fighting fires, to saving lives, to optimizing the performance of athletes. Jesus likened the Spirit to wind in John 3, and

July 18, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 24, 2011: Let God Rule (Judges 7:2-4, 13-15; 8:22-26)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for July 24) is written by Steve Carr, teaching minister at Echo Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. ____________ Let God Rule (Judges 7:2-4, 13-15; 8:22-26) By Steve Carr In the late 16th century there emerged a religious/political doctrine known as the divine right of kings. As the Protestant Reformation spread across Europe, monarchs attempted to solidify their positions with this philosophy. This divine right claimed that God gave kings their authority, so kings were accountable to God alone. Even if a king was evil, the doctrine dictated, he could not be overthrown

July 11, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 17, 2011: Use God”s Strength (Judges 3:15-25, 29, 30)

Bible background. Pronunciation guide. Real-life commentary. Discussion questions. Find it all in Standard Lesson Commentary. ____________ This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for July 17) is written by James Hansee, senior associate minister with Whitewater Crossing Christian Church in Cleves, Ohio. ____________ Use God’s Strength (Judges 3:15-25, 29, 30) By James Hansee Where the world sees disability, God sees potential. Where the world sees disadvantage or defect, God sees opportunity. When people rely on God”s strength, even their weaknesses or perceived shortcomings can be powerful tools in his hands to accomplish his plans. Such is the case

July 4, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 10, 2011: Listen to God”s Judges (Judges 2:11-19)

Eight pages every week to help you with your Sunday school lesson. Learn more about Standard Lesson Commentary! ____________ This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for July 10) is written by Rick Walston, senior minister at Marion Church of Christ, Rochester, Minnesota, and adjunct professor at Crossroads College. ____________ Listen to God’s Judges (Judges 2:11-19) By Rick Walston Today”s lesson begins a new Old Testament book as we move from the conquest of the peoples in the promised land during Joshua”s lifetime to the challenging period of the judges. This unit, “Listening for God in Changing Times,”

June 27, 2011

Christian Standard

God Does Not Have a Plan for Your Life

By Jennifer Johnson “God”s plan for your life isn”t a map you see all at once, but a scroll unrolled a little at a time, requiring faith,” Rick Warren recently tweeted. “God will accelerate his plan for your life as you put your trust in him. God is giving you victory sooner than you think,” says Joel Osteen. Less prominent Christians champion the theology as well. In responding to a new believer”s question about his career, a contributor to Bible-Knowledge.com writes, “God will now be the one to fully guide you into whatever jobs he will want you to have. .

June 27, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 3, 2011: God Responds to Disobedience (Joshua 7:1, 10-12, 22-26)

Be a better parent. Overcome an un-Christian culture. Understand the Bible Read The Lookout! 16 pages of help and hope every week! Here’s how. ____________ This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for July 3) is written by Caleb Kaltenbach, senior minister with Valley View Christian Church in Dallas, Texas. ____________ God Responds to Disobedience (Joshua 7:1, 10-12, 22-26) By Caleb Kaltenbach Some subjects make us squirm in our seats. Disobedience is one of them . . . mainly because we all can identify with it. We disobey the speed laws, our parents, our employers, etc. As a

June 26, 2011

Christian Standard

How We Got THIS Bible (Part 2)

By Jon Weatherly The Bible”s history helps us understand why we have this Bible, not a tidier, easier-to-understand, simpler-to-explain Bible. We have the Bible because God acted in history to make himself known, and faithful people responded. What God did and how the faithful responded tells us how the Bible came to be and came to us. The fact that the process happens in history helps us understand why we have the Bible we have, instead of the one that some imagine. Last week, in Part One of this article, we considered how God acted in history. We examined what

June 21, 2011

Christian Standard

Why We Need to Listen to the Message of “Love Wins”

By Dustin Fulton There has been no shortage of controversy in Evangelical circles surrounding the release of Rob Bell”s latest book, Love Wins. One of the blogs I read hailed it as an “instant classic” (she was a self-proclaimed friend of his from college, with a picture to prove it), while others have called it “complete heresy” and labeled him a Universalist (apparently they weren”t his friends in college!). While Bell certainly didn”t shy away from publicity on this one, I think we ought to be a bit more careful of jumping on or off the bandwagon so quickly. In

June 20, 2011

Christian Standard

How We Got THIS Bible (Part 1)

By Jon Weatherly Where did the Bible come from? Was it delivered by angels to King James I in a leather binding with gilt-edged pages? Was it the product of church councils seeking to squelch dissent? Was it immediately and universally recognized as God”s Word until the recent rise of secular humanism? Today the Bible is the world”s most widely read and widely debated book. We Christians revere it as God”s Word, the full and final authority for what the church believes and does. But the Bible is not necessarily what people expect in God”s Word. It has many sections

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