Articles on Scripture and the Christian Life

Bible studies, explorations of Scripture, and practical writing on prayer, worship, and following Christ.

Understanding the Bible

What Are the Gospels and Why Are There Four of Them?

Gospel means good news. Here is what each of the four accounts of Jesus sets out to do, why Matthew, Mark, and Luke are grouped together, and why four

The Nature and Character of God

Is God the Same in the Old and New Testaments?

Many readers assume the Old Testament shows an angry God and the New Testament a loving one. This article examines where that idea came from and what

The Nature and Character of God

The Names of God in the Bible and What They Mean

Elohim, Yahweh, Adonai, El Shaddai and more: what the biblical names for God meant in Hebrew, why the divine name was treated with such care, and how

Christian Living

The 6 Best Crucifix Necklaces for Daily Wear

A crucifix you actually wear every day has to survive showers, seatbelts and long shifts. Here are six pieces from Christian Art Workshop, compared by

Church History and the Christian Tradition

The Story of Christmas: Origins and Meaning

Christmas combines the biblical nativity accounts with centuries of later custom. The history of December 25 is more contested than the popular explan

Church History and the Christian Tradition

The Protestant Reformation: What Changed and Why

The Reformation of the sixteenth century reshaped Western Christianity and European society. Here is a fair look at its causes, its core ideas, and ho

Prayer and Spiritual Disciplines

How to Pray: A Simple Guide for Beginners

You do not need special words or a religious vocabulary to pray. This beginner's guide covers a simple structure, how to build a routine, and what to

Christian Living and Discipleship

What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple of Jesus?

The word disciple meant something specific in the ancient world: an apprentice bound to a teacher. Here is what that background reveals about Jesus' c

The Nature and Character of God

What Does It Mean That God Is Holy?

Holiness is one of the most-repeated descriptions of God in Scripture and one of the least understood. Here is what the word meant in Hebrew, and what

Core Christian Beliefs and Doctrine

What Happens After We Die? Heaven, Hell, and Eternity

A survey of what the Bible actually says about the afterlife, the main Christian views of heaven and hell, and why resurrection matters more than most

Bible People and Stories

The Story of Job and the Problem of Suffering

Job loses everything and demands an answer from God. The book gives him a whirlwind instead. Here is the structure of the story and what it says about

Jesus Christ: Life, Death, and Resurrection

Who Were the Twelve Disciples of Jesus?

Fishermen, a tax collector, a political zealot, and others. Here is who the twelve disciples were, how Jesus called them, what became of them, and wha