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.

December 27, 2010

Christian Standard

Lesson for Jan. 2, 2011: God Is Our Redeemer (Isaiah 44:21-28)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for January 2) is written by Byron Davis who serves with Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch, California. God Is Our Redeemer (Isaiah 44:21-28) By Byron Davis “Remember these things . . . I have made you . . . I will not forget you” (Isaiah 44:21). “Daddy, you stink!” Those were the first words that came out of my 4-year-old daughter”s mouth after I returned home from a 13-mile morning run. I walked into the kitchen to grab some water. Soon, I started talking with my wife and

December 20, 2010

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Lesson for Dec. 26, 2010: God Is with Us (Isaiah 43:1-7, 10-12)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 26) is written by Tom May who serves as discipleship minister with Eastside Christian Church in Jeffersonville, Indiana. God Is with Us (Isaiah 43:1-7, 10-12) By Tom May Isaiah would not have used the word near to describe any part of his life in Judah. Isaiah was not near to his friends and family. His work as a prophet often took him from his home. The burden of sharing an unpopular message from God put a strain on many of his relationships. If the traditional belief that Isaiah was

December 17, 2010

Christian Standard

The Tyranny of the Paradigm (Part 3)

Read “The Tyranny of the Paradigm (Part 1) Read “The Tyranny of the Paradigm (Part 2)” ________ By Jack W. Cottrell My thesis is that the understanding of the doctrine of salvation in most Protestant groups is captive to the Zwinglian version of the sola fidei paradigm. In the previous article (last week) I showed how this is the case in the way faith is treated as the sole condition for justification, and not just its sole means. It is also seen in the way repentance either is excluded as a condition altogether, or is diminished by being made simply

December 13, 2010

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Lesson for Dec. 19, 2010: A Child Is Born (Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1-8; Matthew 1:21-23)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 29) is written by Jeff Stone who serves as senior minister with Bright Christian Church in Lawrenceburg, Indiana. A Child Is Born (Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1-8; Matthew 1:21-23) By Jeff Stone “For to us a child is born. . . . And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end” (Isaiah 9:6, 7). Unending Reign You might be surprised to learn that the word peace appears more than 400 times in

December 6, 2010

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Lesson for Dec. 12, 2010: The Lord Is Our God (Isaiah 41:8-10, 17-20; 42:1-4, 9)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 12) is written by Ken Greene, vice president of enrollment services with Mid-Atlantic Christian University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The Lord Is Our God (Isaiah 41:8-10, 17-20; 42:1-4, 9) By Ken Greene In early September, my region of North Carolina faced her first hurricane threat of the season with Earl. This storm had the potential to cause major damage, as everyone watched to see if Earl”s course would bring it across the Outer Banks. The area braced for the worst; community events were canceled and evacuation plans were

November 29, 2010

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Lesson for Dec. 5, 2010: God Gives Strength (Isaiah 40:1-8, 25, 26, 29-31)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 5) is written by Teresa D. Welch, assistant professor of Christian education at Emmanuel School of Religion in Johnson City, Tennessee. God Gives Strength (Isaiah 40:1-8, 25, 26, 29-31) By Teresa D. Welch Are you waiting, worried, or weary? What concerns do you carry? Wars and rumors of wars? Economic upheaval and increased poverty? Political decisions and governmental policies? Religious hostility or indifference? The words of God recorded in Isaiah 40 are delivered to the nation of Judah, which had these concerns and many more. The people of God

November 28, 2010

Christian Standard

From My Bookshelf: It Matters What You Believe

By LeRoy Lawson Quantum: Einstein, Bohr, and the Great Debate about the Nature of Reality Manjit Kumar New York: W.W. Norton, 2008 Pearl Buck in China: Journey to The Good Earth Hilary Spurling New York: Simon & Schuster, 2010 The Bin Ladens: An Arabian Family in the American Century Steve Coll New York: Penguin Press, 2008 “What is REAL?” asked the Velveteen Rabbit in that all-time favorite children”s book, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. “What is REAL?” asked some of the 20th-century”s most brilliant scientific minds. We”re still waiting for their definitive answer. Manjit Kumar”s Quantum records their best guesses

November 22, 2010

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Lesson for Nov. 28, 2010: God Is Omniscient (Psalm 139:1-6, 13-16, 23, 24)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for November 28) is written by Karen Rees. She and her husband, Benjamin, have served in Hong Kong since 1975. God Is Omniscient (Psalm 139:1-6, 13-16, 23, 24) By Karen Rees Their God What is their god like? In the 35 years my husband and I have served in Hong Kong, knowing the answer to this question has helped us to share our God in a more meaningful way with the variety of people we”ve worked with. The Chinese traditionally believe that the gods can”t be known. They rely on their

November 15, 2010

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Lesson for Nov. 21, 2010: God Is Protector (Psalm 91:1-6, 9-16)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for November 21) is written by Don Hamilton who serves with Capital Area Christian Church in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. God Is Protector (Psalm 91:1-6, 9-16) By Don Hamilton I grew up in an Ozzie and Harriet kind of family. For those of you too young to remember, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson were parents in a television series that ran from 1952 to 1966. The program presented a wonderful, well-adjusted suburban family who thrived under the leadership of a good father. My family was kind of like that. I had a really good

November 8, 2010

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Lesson for Nov. 14, 2010: God Is Forever (Psalm 90:1-12)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for November 14) is written by Phyllis Fox who serves as director of church relations and Youth in Ministry at Milligan College in Tennessee. God Is Forever (Psalm 90:1-12) By Phyllis Fox Stephen R. Covey”s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was a best-selling self-help book in the late 1980s and early “90s. Principle 2 says to “begin with the end in mind.” Perhaps Covey was thinking of Psalm 90 when he wrote, “How different our lives are when we really know what is deeply important to us, and, keeping

November 1, 2010

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Lesson for Nov. 7, 2010: God Is Awesome (Psalm 66:1-12)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for November 7) is written by Jason Jones, an elementary school principal in Clinton County, Ohio. God is Awesome (Psalm 66:1-12) By Jason Jones It was a simple family outing on a lazy, late-summer Saturday. A cool breeze kept the smell of fresh kettle-popped popcorn permeating through the fairgrounds. My 4-year-old boy was having the time of his life riding a real train, jumping on giant inflatables, and playing alongside other like-minded toddlers. My baby girl observed from her stroller and laughed at every silly dance move her brother performed for

October 25, 2010

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Lesson for Oct. 31, 2010: God”s Comforting Presence (Psalm 63)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for October 31) is written by Bruce Stoker who serves as adult education minister with Memorial Church of Christ in Livonia, Michigan. God’s Comforting Presence (Psalm 63) By Bruce Stoker I suppose wilderness is a matter of perspective. What most of us might call wilderness, Bear Grylls or Les Stroud might call an ideal location for a family picnic (where ants would not only be welcome but also likely on the menu). While I”ve never seen a desert, as a teen I spent several hours lost in a remote, swampy wilderness.

October 18, 2010

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Lesson for Oct. 24, 2010: God”s Universal Reign (Psalm 47)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for October 24) is written by Brenda J. Lang who serves as professor of music and worship at Cincinnati (Ohio) Christian University. God”s Universal Reign (Psalm 47) By Brenda J. Lang Clap your hands all you people, Shout unto God with a voice of triumph. Clap your hands all you people, Shout unto God with a voice of praise. Hosanna! Hosanna! Shout unto God with a voice of triumph. Praise Him! Praise Him! Shout unto God with a voice of praise. I suspect as you read those words based on Psalm

October 11, 2010

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Lesson for Oct. 17, 2010: God”s Safe Refuge (Psalm 46:1-7)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for October 17) is written by Neil Norheim, senior minister with Parkview Christian Church, Findlay, Ohio. God”s Safe Refuge (Psalm 46:1-7) By Neil Norheim “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come.” Think about the trust factor of these words in the hymn by Isaac Watts. Trust is the critical issue. Our temptation is to trust only in ourselves, doubt everyone else, and constantly remain suspicious. From an emotional standpoint, this defensive posture is mostly paranoia. Psalm 46 begins, “God is our refuge and strength, an

October 5, 2010

Christian Standard

The Playfulness of Creation

By John Mark Hicks “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” The proverb first appeared in the mid-1600s. Perhaps it originated as a Puritan excuse for recreation. I don”t know. Originally, it was used against parents who did not give their children playful relief from their scholastic studies. The proverb seems like a justification for playfulness, but in God”s world play needs no more justification than work does. Both are built into creation. God created both work and play. God”s Smile Indeed, God embodies playfulness. His wisdom creates with delight, joy, and play. Personified divine wisdom in

October 4, 2010

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Lesson for Oct. 10, 2010: God”s Perfect Law (Psalm 19:7-14)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for October 10) is written by Nicolas Cox who serves as minister of small groups and spiritual formation at Community Christian Church, White Marsh, Maryland. God”s Perfect Law (Psalm 19:7-14) By Nicolas Cox Whether it”s the speed limit or regulations of a homeowners association, we tend to dislike laws. Restrictions seem to rankle us. Laws point out what is black and what is white””what is wrong and what is right. It”s amazing how hard we search for a messy gray somewhere in between. We become experts in finding loopholes that will

September 27, 2010

Christian Standard

Lesson for Oct. 3, 2010: God”s Majesty and Human Dignity (Psalm 8)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for October 3) is written by Dave Butts who serves as president of Harvest Prayer Ministries in Terre Haute, Indiana. _________________________________________________________ God’s Majesty and Human Dignity ( Psalm 8 ) By Dave Butts How much do we really know about God? How can we learn more of who God really is? God certainly has revealed some of his nature in his Word. A careful examination of the life of Jesus shows us even more. For the Lord said if we have seen him, we have seen the Father. Psalm 8 gives us

September 20, 2010

Christian Standard

Lesson for Sept. 26, 2010: God Promises an Awesome Thing (Exodus 34:1-10)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for September 26) is written by Cheryl Frey, a freelance proofreader and editor from Rochester, New York. God Promises an Awesome Thing (Exodus 34:1-10) By Cheryl Frey Talk about pushing your luck. When Jason Zacchi of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, decided to rob a Wendy”s drive-through window, he thought the bandana over his face would conceal his identity. But when the manager heard the commotion and came over, she immediately recognized him. The Wendy”s Jason had chosen to rob was the one where his mom worked. She called the police, and he was arrested. In the

September 13, 2010

Christian Standard

Lesson for Sept. 19, 2010: God Rejects Idol Worship (Exodus 32:1-10)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for September 19) is written by Phil Roberts who serves as senior minister with Hill-N-Dale Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky. ________________________________________________________ God Rejects Idol Worship (Exodus 32:1-10) “I don’t want a relationship.” I remember those words of rejection from 20 years ago almost like yesterday. They were preceded by the phrase, “I think we need to talk,” and followed by my label of being “dumped.” Rejection hurts, and motivates. We are motivated by the pain of rejection and the fear of further rejection. But should feelings or fears of being rejected by God ever come

September 6, 2010

Christian Standard

Lesson for Sept. 12, 2010: God Makes a Covenant with Israel (Exodus 20:1-11)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for September 12) is written by Jeremy Lawson who serves as minister with Mount Pleasant Church of Christ in Williamstown, Kentucky. God Makes a Covenant with Israel (Exodus 20:1-11) By Jeremy Lawson What is the difference between a contract and a covenant? By definition, a contract is an agreement between two people that is based on ifs. For example, when building a house, the contractor agrees to pay the roofing company if it puts an acceptable and long-lasting roof on the house he is building. If the roofing company completes the task acceptably, then the contractor

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