Logos StaffThough best known as a civil rights activist, Martin Luther King, Jr. was first a minister, his faith motivating his zeal and commitment to social justice. You can explore King’s life, theology, and activism in Martin Luther King Jr. for Armchair...
John D. MeadeOur English translations differ for two basic reasons: (1) underlying text and (2) translation philosophy. I’ll start with the latter. “Formal” (sometimes called literal) translations tend to retain the forms of the original languages even when that...
Bible Study MagazineThis year marks the 75th anniversary of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, depending on how you count it. (The January-February issue of Bible Study Magazine tells the story of their discovery if you’re not familiar with it—it’s worth the read.)...
Karen EngleIf you’re like me, you probably set out each new year with lofty Bible study goals. And then, well—life happens. A few random distractions can quickly turn much-intended goals into a nice idea shelved for next year.
Lexham PressMartin Luther once said, “Christian truth could not possibly be put into a shorter and clearer statement.” He was talking about the Apostles’ Creed, a declaration of belief that’s united Christians for centuries. In it, we find the foundational...
Randy A. BrownAncient biblical scrolls discovered in Qumran Between late 1946 and early 1947, Muhammed edh-Dhib, a shepherd boy of the Ta’amireh Bedouin tribe searched for a lost goat in the desert hills of Qumran. As he searched alongside the Dead Sea, he...
Zach HollifieldAlmost a year to the day after becoming a Christian, I fell to a familiar sin that had ruled me prior to conversion. At that moment God’s presence vanished. I was left wondering if I had lost my salvation—if I had been saved in the first place. The...
Murray J. HarrisOne likely date for the crucifixion of Jesus is Friday, April 6, AD 30. If we assume this chronology, we can tentatively reconstruct Jesus’ movements for the first part of his final week, including his cursing of the fig tree and its subsequent...
Sometimes, it can feel like you need a seminary education to dig deep in the Word. But, thankfully, there’s an easier (and much cheaper) way. With Logos Bible Software, you can study the Bible in-depth without getting overwhelmed because...
Joshua JensenHere’s something you probably never thought to count: The ESV uses the word “but” 4,205 times. That’s nearly once for every 7 verses. That’s a lot. (The NASB has “but” slightly more times, the NIV slightly fewer. But they’re all in the same range.)...
David P. BarshingerIn Psalm 19, David celebrates God’s revelation first in creation and then in Scripture. He describes in poetic language the nature of God’s word as perfect, right, and pure, and the function of God’s word as reviving, rejoicing, and enlightening the...
In this article, you'll learn how to write a topical sermon, including picking the topic, using the right tools, polishing your message, and more.
The new year always brings with it the anticipation of hope—whatever defined last year can change in this one. New Year’s resolutions usually involve aspirations of self-improvement, like exercising, losing weight, or saving money. But what if...
Guest AuthorI’m going to lay all of my cards on the table right here at the beginning: I wholeheartedly, unreservedly, and unashamedly believe that every church should have a plan in place to care for its guests.
Ryan Nelson“What you say and how you say it aren’t disconnected ideas,” says Micah Ellis, the design director at Faithlife. “They aren’t separable.” Communication is more than the words you choose. Tone, body language...
Our team scoured all books from acclaimed Christian publishers released in 2021 and picked our favorites—everything from commentaries to biblical languages to practical ministry and more. Best new Lexham titles Wonderfully Made: A Protestant...
Each year, Christianity Today announces their “picks for the books most likely to shape evangelical life, thought, and culture.” And for 2022, two Lexham Press titles—each focusing on a unique topic—were honored as finalists. First, in the Biblical...
Spiritual gifts can either seem like something for the early Church in ages long past . . . or like something so hard to pin down, they’re more to be accepted than understood. But after exploring which spiritual gifts are listed in the Bible (an...
Mark WardDoes the Christmas Bible story have anything left to tell us? Biblical scholarship is essentially a lot of very careful reading of very old, very familiar stories—with the goal of discovering something new in them. The well has not run dry. After...
Though the Gospels do not tell us exactly when Jesus was born, could the Star of Bethlehem—and when it first appeared—give us insight into what year it could be?
Like lighting Advent candles, Advent readings (for church services or personal devotions) provoke a pause from the everyday. There’s nothing quite like navigating the special weeks of Advent: preparation, anticipation, joy, and incarnation. ...
The star of Bethlehem is one of the most recognizable elements of the Christmas story, and yet its true nature and meaning are shrouded in mystery.
By James P. Chaisson, Ed.D. Introduction After his resurrection, as he was preparing to leave this earth and ascend to the right hand of the Father, Jesus told his followers, and by extension the church universal, to go into all...
Every year, Sunday school teachers spend time teaching the virgin birth. But pastors and small group leaders teach it too—and as a small group leader or pastor, you can dive deeper into Mary’s story and its applications. For one, faithfulness to God...
The annunciation is Gabriel’s prophetic announcement to Mary that she would give birth to the Son of God. However, in the past, some critics believed the idea of the Messiah as Son of God was a Graeco-Roman concept that Christians picked up after...
In this excerpt adapted from the November/December issue of Bible Study Magazine, Stephen G. Dempster, author of Dominion and Dynasty: A Biblical Theology of the Hebrew Bible, provides a big-picture overview of the story of the Old Testament.
Often when reading the birth narrative of the Christmas story, we filter what the Bible says through our twenty-first-century Western mindset. Combined with images from church nativity plays, holiday cards, and Christmas movies, we’re left with a...
The Christmas season provides a unique opportunity for your church to connect with people in the community. And social media is one of the greatest tools we have to promote what’s happening in the life of our church.
Ryan RotzIn this article, Ryan Rotz reflects on the unexpected Advent lessons he’s learned from the notorious historical figure, King Herod. Explore advent and Christmas resources in the Logos Christmas sale. King Herod the Great is known by most...
Peter KrolSadly, the daily news plods forward with report after report of some Christian leader’s downfall. Some such cases arise from sexual impropriety. Others center on the abuse of power. Yet others involve financial mismanagement, unresolved conflict, or...