Explore biblical scholarship, Christian evidences, and doctrinal studies from our archive.
In a letter to the church at Corinth, Paul affirmed that "the natural man does not receive the things of God." Some allege that this text suggests that one cannot understand the Scriptures without direct guidance from the Holy Spirit. But, as Wayne Jackson demonstrates in this article, this view reflects a misunderstanding of the apostle's argument.
When is a friend a real "friend"? Solomon offers several spiritual values of a good friend.
By way of a parable, Jesus instructed that a respect and desire for truth is integral to one's accepting the Gospel message.
Must you be "illuminated" by the Holy Spirit before you can understand what he wrote?
On his way to Golgotha, Christ addressed a group of Jerusalem's weeping women, and asked: "For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" What is the meaning of this mysterious "green tree" saying?
In 2003, we published a review of Dr. Thomas West's book, _Jesus and the Quest for Meaning_. West is a Professor of Theology at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota. In our review, we censured Professor West for his unorthodox ideas relative to the resurrection of Christ. The Professor has vigorously protested our essay. As a courtesy to him, we are publishing his letter of protest, and our response to the same.
A common defense mechanism is: "Don't judge me!" But is all judging condemned in the Bible?
What is the meaning of Paul's command, "Forbid not to Speak in tongues" (1 Cor. 14:39)? Does this imply that the gift of tongues was to continue to the end of time?
The Bible frequently speaks of the "reading" of the Scriptures, and even the reading of them aloud. Is this mere circumstance, or is there a deeper truth implied in these descriptives?
Does God have the ability to raise the dead? Paul affirms in his defense to Herod that he does.
Traditionally, churches of Christ have observed the Lord's supper each Sunday -- and only on that day. Now, some are suggesting there is New Testament authority for daily communion, or for the serving of the supper on days other than the Lord's day. Unfortunately for those who so argue, the New Testament "authority" for this evolving procedure is missing.
In response to a recent article in which we argued that instrumental music in Christian worship is without divine authority, a critic replied by suggesting that we practice many things in Christianity that are bereft of authority. One example he cited was the use of Bible translations. In this week's Penpoints, we refute this baseless quibble.
What is the symbolic meaning behind the statement that Jesus was hung on a tree when he was actually hung on a cross?
A church leader teaches that both Christ and the Holy Spirit were created by God. He denies that Jesus and the Holy Spirit possess the nature of deity. What should be done by the faithful of that congregation?
Only the truth gives hope -- real hope -- and, as the American poet Wallace Rice put it, "hope is the patent medicine for disease, disaster, and sin." In this article, Jason Jackson surveys several biblical expressions in which the word "hope" appears. These phrases teach us about the Christian's future.
Is there a valid connection between evidence and faith? Or is "faith" a wispy, feel-good emotion that simply "leaps" into the dark, and believes based upon a sort of "holy hunch"?
Do preborn babies deserve human rights protections? An honest look at the scientific evidence.
Genesis 6:6 indicates that "it repented Jehovah that he had made man." Does this mean that God regretted his creation?
