About the Center for Christian Studies
Who We Are
The mission of the Center for Christian Studies is to help Christians better understand, practice, and pass on their faith and to train teachers of teachers (2 Timothy 2:2). We pursue biblical and theological understanding in conversation with the historic Christian tradition and with all who call upon Jesus as Lord.
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CCS makes quality theological and biblical resources available to churches and Christian leaders. These materials are intended to help Christians and churches grow in biblical literacy, theological understanding, thoughtful worship, spiritual formation, and ethical living, each of which is essential to the renewal of the church.
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CCS resources are produced by scholars who are both experts in their respective fields and active leaders in their churches. We engage in scholarship for the church, in order to equip Christians for service in the church and the world.
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CCS shares its research and instruction with the broader Christian community through publications, online videos, and live and in-person seminars. The Journal of Christian Studies, issued three times a year, features timely articles on relevant themes. Streaming video series provide instruction and study guides on important biblical and ethical topics.
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The Center for Christian Studies is a nondenominational, nonprofit 501(c)(3) public charity. Our board are members of Churches of Christ, and we are in conversation with all who call on Jesus Christ as Lord.
What We Believe
God:
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We believe in one God who has revealed himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
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Jesus Christ:
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We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s unique Son, our Lord, of the same essence as God, God from God, light from light, who became man, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried, and descended to the grave. On the third day, he rose again from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, from where he will come to judge the living and dead. Only through him can there be restoration of creation to God.
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The Holy Spirit:
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We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and Son, who inspired the prophets and apostles as recorded in Scripture, and who now fills and sanctifies believers in love, conforming them to the image of Christ.
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Salvation:
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We acknowledge that, although the good creation has fallen from its creator, in his great mercy God has saved his people by grace through faith, forgiven their sins, and empowered them to do good works. God loves everyone and wills that all people be saved.
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The Church:
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We believe that God has created, called, and redeemed a people for himself who are in the world, but not of it—the one, holy, universal, and apostolic church. The communion of saints assembles to worship the holy God, to listen to God’s written word, and, by extension, to encourage one another. The church acknowledges one baptism for the remission of sins, shares the Lord’s Supper, proclaims the gospel, and practices discipline.
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Last Things:
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We expect the bodily resurrection of the dead and restoration of all things to eternal fellowship with God.
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Scripture:
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We acknowledge the Bible as the primary authority for Christian faith and practice.
In continuity with the Restoration tradition of Christian faith and practice, in matters of faith we seek unity; in matters of opinion, liberty; in all things, charity.