Articles for tag: Theology

March 31, 2014

Christian Standard

Bible Study Theology & Bible

Lesson for April 6, 2014: Jesus Cleanses the Temple (Isaiah 56:6-8; Jeremiah 7:8-15; Mark 11:15-19)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone The messages of two prominent Old Testament prophets provide background for today”s lesson. Both focus on the cleansing of the temple during the final week of Jesus” earthly ministry. Isaiah had preached around 740 BC, while Jeremiah came some 55 years later. R. C. Foster noted, “Jeremiah denounces the wicked character of the people worshiping in the temple and the false trust of Israel in the temple; Jesus applies this to their misuse of the temple

December 14, 2013

Christian Standard

Theology & Bible

God Enfleshed

By Miriam Y. Perkins Incarnation is not a word we often use in church settings. It has the intimidating look of a complicated theological term that causes more confusion than clarification. Yet the incarnation sums up three of the most important aspects of Christian faith: the nature of God”s love, the shape of salvation, and the spirit of Christian ministry. The incarnation inspires wonder and delight in knowing and worshipping God, who is beyond all we know and understand and yet is as fully present to us in the person of Jesus as we are one to another. I invite

September 1, 2013

Christian Standard

Mission & Evangelism

Taking Christ to Patrons of Local Clubs and Bars

By Jennifer Johnson It took a trip to Bosnia for Daron Earlewine to launch a new ministry in America. “The coffee shops become pubs in the evening,” he says. “At midnight they close and all the adults go to dance clubs. It dawned on me the same thing happens in every town in America””adults are gathering at bars and clubs. And if we could find a way to “˜own” those rooms, we could impact thousands of people.” Earlewine, then on staff at East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, also played drums in a rock band. He suggested they try

August 23, 2013

Christian Standard

Communion & Lord's Supper Theology & Bible

Communion . . . and Humility

By David Timms Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Remember summer camp or church camp? Those late nights raiding other tents or dorms? Those camp meals that looked increasingly familiar as the week went on? The mosquitoes, bugs, and sunburn that made for some uncomfortable moments? But most of all . . . cleanup duties at the end. Remember the scramble not to be assigned the shower and toilet block? Remember the hair, the soap residue, and the scum? It was nasty, and nobody in their right mind would volunteer for that job. We were made for a

August 18, 2013

Christian Standard

Family & Relationships Parenting

They Need to See Faith

By Phil Allen Discipleship is the foundation for all I believe God has called me to do as a pastor. My own experience as a new Christian tells me every Christian needs someone to show and not just tell how to honor God with his or her own life. This is why discipleship is the foundation for what we do at The Vine college/young adult ministry at Shepherd of the Hills Church. When I say discipleship, I am talking about life-on-life, transparent and genuine, not-afraid-to-get-messy mentorship. A professor of mine said, “How can you change something that you”re afraid to

July 5, 2013

Christian Standard

Church Leadership

40 Under 40: Daron Earlewine

DARON EARLEWINE Pub Theology,Â Indianapolis, Indiana Daron Earlewine is a remarkable voice in the arena of Christian witness outside the walls of the church. His ministryÂ is called Pub Theology. The very nameÂ of his style of gospel presentation is challenging to most all the church people of my age, that being almost 80. His heart was challenged by observing 20- and 30-year-olds in Bosnia who were seeking fellowship and Jesus in a nonformalized setting. Daron has a fertile mind, a free spirit, and an absolute commitment to preaching the gospel. He is and will continue to have a positive influence on

July 1, 2013

Christian Standard

Colleges & Seminaries Organizations & Events

Students Need Practical Skills Along with Big Ideas

By Jennifer Johnson Higher education is not known for its pragmatism. For every course in biology basics there”s another in “The Science of Superheroes” (University of California, Irvine). For every Spanish 101 there”s “Invented Languages: Klingon and Beyond” (University of Texas at Austin). For every fundamentals of accounting, there”s “Street-Fighting Mathematics” (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). And that”s OK. As the clichÃ© goes, part of being educated is “learning how to learn.” There”s value in interacting with ideas simply for the sake of enrichment, even without any immediate vocational payoff. But Dave Miller at Nebraska Christian College also makes a good

March 23, 2013

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Community Outreach

Neighboring Churches

By Brian Mavis “From the city”s perspective, there is not a lot of difference between the way Christians neighbor and non-Christians neighbor.” The assistant city manager of Arvada, Colorado, made that statement to a group of church leaders. It left them embarrassed and convicted. But it wasn”t the first time they had heard something like that from a city leader. A month earlier a group of church leaders was meeting with Bob Frie, the mayor of Arvada. He explained that even though Arvada (population 106,000) is a great city, it has many problems typical of a city its size””delinquency, elderly

January 20, 2013

Christian Standard

Church Leadership

The Birth of a Ministry Meltdown

By John Hampton The birth of a baby usually is one of the happiest life experiences a family can have. Usually. However, I witnessed firsthand what happens when the circumstances around the birth of a child take bizarre twists and scary turns down an unfamiliar road you don”t know if you”re ever coming back from. My wife, Melinda, and I are the parents of two daughters, Anna and Rachel. Both are beautiful, grown-up, married young women. We are so blessed to be their parents and the in-laws of two young men who we proudly call “our sons.” Our oldest daughter,

December 14, 2012

Christian Standard

Doctrinal Issues & Debates Theology & Bible

Sticky Conversations: Eternal Security

THIS IS THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF FIVE “STICKY CONVERSATIONS” By Ben Merold I was making a call in the house of a family that had attended the church for the first time on the previous Sunday. I was greeted warmly, but as I started to sit down, I was told if I did not believe in “once saved, always saved” I might as well leave. In fact, the lady of the house informed me she doubted if I was a Christian if I did not hold to that doctrine. A few weeks ago a young man was

September 7, 2012

Christian Standard

Church & Ministry Church Leadership Preaching

STEWARDSHIP: What Have We Done to This Word?

By E.G. “Jay” Link If word abuse were a crime, many Christian leaders and teachers would be in jail for how they have abused one of our most important biblical terms””the word stewardship. If you were to poll your congregation and ask what stewardship means, I suspect the overwhelming majority would say it has something to do with money and giving. Part right and part wrong. And, as my grandmother would say, “If something is partially wrong, it is all wrong.” I spent eight years in Bible college and seminary where I majored in theology. In all those years, I

August 26, 2012

Christian Standard

Doctrinal Issues & Debates Theology & Bible

Calvinism: A Chronicle and a Warning

By Stephen Richardson Popular print media, both religious and secular, have reported the resurgenceÂ 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

July 25, 2012

Christian Standard

Culture & Public Square Politics & Government

Too Much Is at Stake to Forget

By Fred Liggin We are shaken by mourning as we hurt for those suffering due to the horrific events in Aurora, Colorado, on July 20. Yet even in our mourning, the political and social debates haveÂ already begun to light up the airwaves. And I am reminded of a most sobering reality. No government, regardless of how strong or well-meaning, can thoroughly legislate morality. To be sure, it can create laws that limit behaviors destructive to society (“You shall not steal”). But as a Christ follower, I am led to believe that only Jesus will bring lasting and systemic change (“You

February 24, 2012

Ethics & Moral Issues Sexuality

How Should the Church Relate to Those with Same-Sex Attraction?

By Mark Moore Individuals with same-sex attraction make up as much as 6 percent of the male population and 4.5 percent of females (though some studies estimate half that). Those are not insignificant numbers, especially when same-sex attraction involves you or someone you love. The church traditionally has not been particularly welcoming of such individuals, and a number of Scriptures have been cited to validate responses that are sometimes violent””verbally, emotionally, occasionally even physically. Because I am a follower of Jesus Christ, it is unconscionable for me to reject in the body of Christ some of the most spiritually sensitive

October 2, 2011

Christian Standard

Restoration Movement History

Remembering J.W. McGarvey

By Andrew Paris This coming Thursday, October 6, marks the centennial anniversary of the death of John William “J.W.” McGarvey, a great Christian preacher, teacher, author, educator, and Scripture scholar who deserves to be remembered. McGarvey was a man of only one book””the Bible. He was firmly convinced it was the inerrant Word of God, and so he devoted his life to loving it, teaching it, defending it, and living it. In his day, McGarvey held the respect of all groups emerging from the Restoration Movement, and was recognized as the movement”s greatest scholar and writer. He has been a

September 14, 2011

Christian Standard

Apologetics & Worldview

Teaching Islam and Learning to Love My Neighbor

By Craig Farmer Like most Americans old enough to remember, I have a clear memory of what I was doing on the morning of September 11, 2001. I was standing in the front of Hyder Auditorium administering a humanities exam to some 200 Milligan College sophomores when an ashen-faced colleague entered from the side door and whispered into my ear that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Little did I know this event would eventually reshape the kind of work I would do as a professor at Milligan. In the months and years that followed 9/11, students

August 1, 2011

Christian Standard

Bible Study Theology & Bible

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

June 27, 2011

Christian Standard

Old Testament Theology & Bible

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

April 4, 2011

Christian Standard

Bible Study Theology & Bible

Lesson for April 10, 2011: Remember the Warnings (Jude 17-25)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for April 10) is written by David Ray who serves with Christ”s Church at Mason (Ohio). ____________ Remember the Warnings (Jude 17-25) By David Ray Jude advised his readers to remember what the apostles predicted (v. 17). But the core of the problem was people were forgetting (or ignoring) both the apostles” authoritative word and their clear warning. The apostles had said, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires” (v. 18). Peter warned, just as Israel had its “lying prophets,” so “there will

February 22, 2011

Christian Standard

We Have Met the Enemy

By Mark A. Taylor Jim Tune says in “Stake” that the NACC is better, but less necessary, than ever. His rationale resonates with that of Gary Weedman who contributed one of several “viewpoints” on the NACC for our September 21, 2008, issue. The NACC was created in 1927 as a reaction to what was seen as encroachment of liberal theology and of “open membership” practiced by missionaries. . . . The majority of the leaders of the International Convention . . . were seen to be supportive, or at least tolerant, of the theological liberalism and practice of open membership.