Greetings readers! I’m excited to announce the 2020 Bible Advocate theme and issue sub-themes.

In one of the most profound and exciting passages of Scripture, Paul explains to the church what God has done for us in Christ. Reconciliation restores relationship and is nothing less than “new creation” and the ministry of the new covenant. It is all a gift of God through Jesus Christ.

But remarkably, God has committed this ministry of reconciliation to us. Together, we are workers with God, ambassadors for Christ, praying, “Be reconciled to God!” even as we are being made the righteousness of God in Him. In our deeply divided world, is there a more important message? What a responsibility!

It’s humbling. We can’t be His ministers of reconciliation if we aren’t already new creatures reconciled to God in Christ. Therefore, the six BA issues of 2020 will explore the details of this divine ministry, and we invite you to join the effort. Our editorial team is looking for content rich in biblical insight, personal testimony, and practical application that will inspire and equip the church to bring the reconciling peace of Christ to a bitterly broken world.

Take a look at the sub-themes, deadlines, and basic descriptions of each issue and consider contributing to the ministry. See below and/or download the theme flyer here.

— Jason Overman, Editor

January-February: Reconciled – 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19 (vv. 14, 15, 21) — What God has accomplished for us in Christ
Article ideas: Personal and biblical reconciliation stories; word study on key terms (like reconcile,  atonement); the scope of peacemaking in Christ and the church. Spotlight on Ephesians 2
Submission deadline: October 14, 2019 

March-April: New Creation – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (vv. 14, 15) — Our new life as new creations in Christ
Article ideas: Personal and biblical new creation stories; word study on key terms (like creation, life); practical examples of how the love of Christ compels us. Spotlight on Revelation 21
Submission Deadline: December 13, 2019 

May-June: The Ministry – 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19 (cf. 3:3-9; 4:1; 6:3, 4) — God’s gift of a new covenant in Christ        Article ideas: Personal and biblical new covenant stories; word study on key terms (like ministry,  covenant); the new and better promises of God in Christ. Spotlight on 2 Corinthians 3
Submission Deadline: February 14, 2020 

July-August: Ambassadors – 2 Corinthians 5:20 — God’s ministers of reconciliation for Christ
Article ideas: Personal and biblical witness stories; word study on key terms (like ambassador, message); how God’s reconciliation addresses broken relationships of every kind. Spotlight on Philemon                                                                    Submission Deadline: April 13, 2020 

September-October: Becoming – 2 Corinthians 5:21 (v. 15; 3:18) — Being made the righteousness of God in Christ
Article ideas: Personal and biblical sanctification stories; word study on key terms (like righteousness of God); process of Spirit transformation from glory to glory. Spotlight on Romans 8
Submission Deadline: June 15, 2020 

November-December: Together – 2 Corinthians 6:1, 2 (vv. 14-21; 4:1-4a) — Workers with God in Christ
Article ideas: Personal and biblical us/we stories; word study on key terms (like ministers, workers); themes of team ministry, blameless ministry, day of salvation. Spotlight on Ephesians 4
Submission Deadline: August 14, 2020