The following articles are related to the topic of TEMPLE

The Silence of the Scriptures: Permissive or Prohibitive?

One of the controversies that has raged in the world of "Christendom" for centuries is the matter of whether or not the "silence" of the Scriptures must be respected or ignored. Some allege that whatever is not expressly forbidden is allowed in religious practice; others contend that anything not authorized is not permitted. The dispute surfaced early in the post-apostolic ... read more »

The Divine Pattern of Acceptable Worship — Part 1

Human beings are instinctively worshiping creatures. When the Psalmist declared, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God" (42:1), he perhaps expressed a need that is basic to the human soul. As far back as the time of Cicero in the first century B.C., or even earlier, pagan thinkers had observed that ... read more »

Baby Dedication Ceremonies: Expediency or Innovation?

The "infant dedication" service is a new practice that has evolved within some churches of Christ in recent years. Apparently it is becoming increasingly popular, as a search-engine check of "Baby Dedication-Church of Christ" on the world wide web will reveal. Is this practice merely an innocent expediency? Many respectable brethren believe that this exercise reflects a very unhealthy trend ... read more »

God’s Great Plan — In Perpetuity

In the title of this article, every word is significant. First, it asserts that "God," creator and ruler of the universe, is the author of a plan. Second, it affirms that in quality and scope, the plan is "great." Third, it declares that the Lord has not acted capriciously; rather, he has deliberately and progressively implemented a strategy. Finally, the ... read more »

The English Standard Version Study Bible – A Review

Shortly after its initial appearance, we published an article reviewing The English Standard Version (2001, Crossway Bibles). In that composition we cataloged what we perceived to be some of the strengths and weaknesses of this translation of the Bible. Generally, I commended the ESV, though I remain of the persuasion that the American Standard Version (1901) is still the best ... read more »

Jesus Christ – A Family Portrait

It was the will of the Heavenly Father that Jesus of Nazareth, the incarnate Son of God, should grow up within a human family environment. A consideration of the biblical data of this arrangement reveals some interesting and rewarding details. The Family Unit The apostle Matthew provides us with a snapshot of the Lord's human family: And coming into his ... read more »

A Study of Biblical Types

One of the most fascinating areas of Bible study is that of typology-the study of Scripture "types." Few Christians have made any sort of in-depth investigation of biblical types. As a matter of fact, this field of study has fallen into disrepute in recent years and this can probably be accounted for on two bases: First, the extravagant speculations of ... read more »

Psalm 139:14 – Wonderfully Made

Is the human body the result of divine design or is it merely the consequence of a series of "happy accidents" in the evolutionary process? Without hesitation, the child of God affirms the former, and this is the position of scripture. In Psalm 139, David declares that he was "fearfully and wonderfully made." He asserts that his body was "curiously ... read more »

1 Kings 12 — The Sin of Jeroboam

Jeroboam, a ruler of the northern kingdom of Israel, is given special attention in the Old Testament. No less than twenty-one times he is charged with having caused Israel to sin (cf. 1 Kings 14:16). What was his transgression that merited such attention? He was an innovator. He practiced what the apostle Paul would call "will-worship" (Colossians 2:23). His presumptuous ... read more »

Who Was the Good Samaritan?

One of Christ's most popular forms of instruction was the "parable" - a true-to-life story designed to illustrate important spiritual concepts. Perhaps the two most recognizable of these twenty-nine deposits of New Testament instruction are the parables of the Prodigal Son, and the Good Samaritan. In this piece, we will reflect upon the Samaritan narrative (Lk. 10:25-37). The Interrogating Lawyer ... read more »