June 14, 2023
The Southern Baptist Convention voted overwhelmingly Tuesday night to uphold the expulsions of Saddleback Church in California and Fern Creek Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., for having women pastors. Both churches had appealed those decisions, announced in February. . . .
September 29, 2022
Dr. Jack Cottrell, professor of theology at Cincinnati Christian University for 48 years, died Sept. 16, 2022. He was 84. In addition to writing 43 books, Dr. Cottrell also wrote numerous articles for Christian Standard. This one, titled "Inerrancy—Does It Really Matter?" was published nearly 40 years ago.
December 3, 2018
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 13 (weeks 49–53; December 9–30, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. Image: This painting, Der Gang nach Emmaus (1837), by Austrian painter Joseph von Fuhrich, Is a depiction of Cleopas and another disciple encountering Jesus on the Road to Emmaus. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. ______ Lesson Aim: Look in the whole of Scripture for what God reveals about Jesus.. ______ By Mark Scott The basis for discerning the
February 8, 2017
By Jim Tune I wrote my message quickly and fired it off. Just seconds after clicking Send, it dawned on me with mortifying clarity that I had sent the text message to the wrong recipient. My message fortunately was not overly sensitive, rude, or confidential. Still, it left room for both misunderstanding and embarrassment. I”m guessing this experience is not unique to me. We”ve all been in a situation where someone reads a message intended for someone else that potentially could lead to misunderstanding and conflict. I was relieved when the unintended recipient responded graciously and with minimal offense. It
February 27, 2016
By Matt Johnson Everyday Theology, as its subtitle promises, tells us How to Read Cultural Texts and Interpret Trends. How does your faith speak to human rights, pop music, or designer funerals? Is there any benefit to buying a ticket for the latest Hollywood blockbuster? When should we embrace the hurry of modern American culture, and when should we slow down? What does the proliferation of the blogosphere mean to our culture and the church? Complicated questions have complicated answers, and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling you something less than the gospel. So I appreciated Everyday Theology (Grand Rapids:
October 25, 2014
By Mark Matson If I had to choose just one Bible handbook to accompany solid Bible study, it would be How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Zondervan) by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, both well-known and respected biblical scholars. This book, now in its third edition, has proven itself over three decades. The first edition, which came out in 1981, is still valuable, and the latest edition is a real treat. I use this book for college and seminary classes, and I also recommend it to my church. Fee and Stuart”s book is not a handbook, as
March 6, 2014
By Matt Proctor In the book Children’s Letters to God, one young girl wrote: “Dear God, are boys better than girls? I know you are one, but try to be fair.” It’s an age-old question: what does God think about women and, specifically, women’s roles in the church? It’s also a controversial question. The April 2013 article “Women Preaching” generated more comments on CHRISTIAN STANDARD’s website than any other article last year. The article mentioned that Ozark Christian College offers a preaching class for women, and some readers wondered about the biblical rationale for such a class. (By the way,
November 23, 2011
Mark Weedman traces three pivotal moments in Restoration Movement biblical interpretation, from Thomas Campbell’s plea for unity through debates involving Isaac Errett, David Lipscomb, Modernism, and Fundamentalism.
November 22, 2011
Mark Scott explores the challenges of biblical interpretation, the importance of authorial intent, and the biblical, historical, and cultural influences that shape how readers understand Scripture.
November 21, 2011
Daniel Overdorf explains how believers can apply Scripture with biblical integrity, avoiding patternism, proof-texting, and other interpretive errors while crossing the bridge from ancient text to contemporary life.
October 24, 2011
Matt Proctor offers five practical questions for reading New Testament Epistles, emphasizing literary context, historical background, careful word study, the wider teaching of Scripture, and the connection between doctrine and Christian behavior.
December 14, 2010
Jack W. Cottrell examines sola fidei as a controlling theological paradigm and argues that faith, repentance, and baptism must be interpreted with careful distinctions between means, conditions, and occasion.
March 15, 2009
LeRoy Lawson reviews five Christian books on the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s Prayer, preaching, hermeneutics, and the ministry needs of smaller churches.
March 11, 2009
Perry Stepp discusses biblical commentary, scholarship, Restoration Movement convictions, and how Scripture shapes ministry, church unity, and the way Christians engage difficult questions.
December 16, 2007
A first-time attendee describes the Stone-Campbell Journal (SCJ) Conference—its distinctive scholarly fellowship, purpose, leadership, and the journal’s role as a safe forum for thoughtful engagement.
Paul E. Boatman examines why Christian church-related colleges have not severed ties with their supporting churches, pointing to ecclesiology, hermeneutics, and a shared philosophy of education—while offering candid caveats for the future.
January 7, 2007
A curated reading list on worldview and postmodernism, featuring key evangelical resources that explain cultural shifts, challenges to absolute truth, and practical ministry engagement—from James Sire’s worldview primer to Leonard Sweet’s EPIC-culture approach.
James B. North argues the 1906 division grew from deeper tensions than organs or missionary societies. He points to relationships, trust, and liberty in opinion as keys that might have prevented separation.
November 30, 2005
Why do churches struggle to transcend culture? Rees Bryant reflects on “Christians only,” cultural baggage, and the humility of admitting God loves his imperfect people—Christians anyway.
Hiring church staff from within can bring big benefits, but it also raises concerns about experience and theological grounding. Chuck Sackett outlines practical safeguards to equip internal hires for faithful, biblically informed ministry.
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