Biblical Christianity from Peter DeHaan

Apophatic Prayer or Kataphatic Prayer?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 29, 2011

A friend recently introduced me to two highfalutin, but insightful phrases: Apophatic Prayer and Kataphatic Prayer.

Kataphatic Prayer is praying using words, thoughts, and images.

Apophatic Prayer is prayer without words, thoughts, and images.

Another explanation—often credited to Eugene Peterson, but which I’ve not yet confirmed—is that Apophatic Prayer is praying with your eyes closed, while Kataphatic Prayer is praying with your eye open.

Here’s how I comprehend it. Do you have a close friend, with whom you are comfortable just being with each other? Where words are superfluous?

Where silence is not an uncomfortable torture? So it is with God when we approach him apophatically.

While some assert that Apophatic Prayer is higher than Kataphatic Prayer, I view them as complementary.

Just as a good relationship could never exist devoid of words (apophatic)—instead requiring verbal communication (kataphatic) in order to persist—so it is with us and God.

It is wonderful when we can transcend the tangible, but to remain there exclusively will ultimately serve to diminish our relationship with the almighty.

The right response to the question posed in this post’s title is Apophatic and Kataphatic. Good prayer—and a right relationship with God—requires both words and silence.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

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Tags prayer

Christian Living

The Mystery of Fasting

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 8, 2011

Fasting, after falling out of favor, is being reclaimed as a viable spiritual discipline. While I admit to regularly fasting, I also admit to being regularly perplexed by its practice.

Fasting is simply going without something (usually food) for a time to draw closer to God.

When I fast, this does happen, but I’m not sure why. In a theoretical sense, when I fast, my craving for food (a physical need) heightens my craving for God (a spiritual need).

While I comprehend this, it explains little.

My fasts are from food, usually for 24 hours; I endeavor to do this weekly. Occasionally God has told me to cut my fast short and a few times he has prompted me to extend it (and once or twice, I bailed midway through).

When I fast, the times I would normally spend preparing and eating a meal are reallocated to spiritual activities, such as praying, meditating, journaling, or simply listening.

At times this is an effort, but usually it is a significant spiritual experience. As such, I generally approach my weekly fast with joyful expectation.

Here are some of the things I’ve learned about fasting over the years:

Fasting is not about earning spiritual Brownie points; it is not about manipulating God or getting his attention.
Fasting is best done with little fanfare and not to gain the “respect” of others. I only let people know I am fasting if it will be an encouragement to them (which is why I’m blogging about it) or to explain why I’m not eating when they are.
For me, fasting also has side benefits (I am more productive when I fast and I lose weight), but whenever the side benefits become the focal point, the fast loses its spiritual power.
The hardest part of my fast is ending it well; that is, not overeating at its conclusion.

Despite my frequency of fasting and the significant spiritual aspect, it is still largely a mystery to me.

Nevertheless, I will persist in it because it more fully connects me to God than when I don’t fast.

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Christian Living

Let’s Get Together: Celebrating Community

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date May 1, 2011

Spend Intentional Time with Other Faith Seekers and Fellow Spiritual Pilgrims

Instead of celebrating community, in the individualistic society in which we live, most who pursue spiritual things do so in an individualistic manner—by themselves.

This is not good, and it is not wise.

Living the spiritual life is best accomplished in conjunction with others. The benefit of a collective perspective helps to protect us from making errors in judgment and reaching unwise conclusions.

Although a group consensus is not a guarantee of a sound comprehension of God, its combined input is a tremendous tool in discovering truth.

As you set to convene a cadre of spiritual seekers, avoid a leader-centric group, and instead seek an egalitarian gathering.

Unfortunately, we seldom accomplish this in a traditional church setting, which is one reason why some have given up on that practice.

Your spiritual gathering doesn’t need to meet in a church building or assemble on a Sunday morning. It can happen any day or time and can occur at someone’s home, at a coffee shop, or even a bar.

The pursuit of a spiritual life is a journey, one that is best suited and more fully enjoyed in the company of others. Attempting to travel this road on your own can result in getting lost or heading in the wrong direction.

Instead, the solution is community. Jesus lived in community. The Holy Trinity lives in community. God wants to be in community with us, and he created us to desire community with each other.

That’s why it’s important to never stop celebrating community.

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Tags biblical Christianity, church, community

Personal Posts

The Future of the Legal Profession

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 25, 2011

I recently made the acquaintance of a lawyer who was a founding partner in his firm. I asked what he saw for the future of his profession.

His answer was quick and direct: “There are too many law schools that are graduating too many lawyers.”

I pondered the ramifications of this. “Does that mean there will be graduates who won’t find jobs,” I asked, “or an increase in lawsuits?”

His answer was sobering. “Both,” he declared with a bit of acquiesced sadness.

The discussion of the group then migrated to states attorneys general, positions that are filled by lawyers. I’ve never given this position much thought or concern, but I think that will change.

Someone in the group noted that the position of the state attorney general is viewed as a stepping-stone to state governorship, which was confirmed by the group to often be proved out.

Does that mean some of the preceding can’t-find-work attorneys might go into politics?

With apologies to my new friend, I shudder at the thought. I think we already have too many lawyers who are in politics.

Do you like this post? Want to read more? Check out Peter’s book, Bridging the Sacred-Secular Divide: Discovering the Spirituality of Every Day Life, available wherever books are sold.

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Tags Sacred-Secular Divide

Bible Insights

Pass it On

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 21, 2011

Influence Future Generations

Despite King David’s many failings, God refers to him as “a man after my own heart.”

A few generations prior, Ruth makes a bold statement of commitment to her mother-in-law and by extension to the God that mom serves. Ruth declares,

“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.

May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.”

Oh, by the way, Ruth is King David’s great grandmother.

Is there a connection? I think so.

Ruth’s sold out, over-the-top commitment to both her mom and mom’s God is likely passed on to her son Obed, her grandson Jesse, and her great grandson David.

Whether or not great grandmother Ruth is still alive to see David, we do not know. But her influence is evident.

What are we passing on to our children, our grandchildren, and our great grandchildren? Will our actions today influence successive generations? I hope so.

[Acts 13:22, Ruth 1:16-17]

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Tags King David, Ruth

Christian Living

Does Ritual Have Any Value?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 17, 2011

A byproduct of my spiritual formation is a disdain for ritual. To me, a ritual is a meaningless religious activity that is mechanically performed; it is an empty ceremony and a mindless habit, devoid of substance.

This perspective is due in part to what I read in the Bible, where God repeatedly criticizes his followers for their meaningless rituals.

I don’t think he was attacking their rituals, however, but their attitude behind them; after all, much of the Old Testament Law prescribed ritual.

The other reason for my dislike of ritual is that I was always repelled whenever I was expected to participate in one.

It may be that I see rituals as a relic of the past, something that Jesus freed me from—or it may be nothing more than a rebellious spirit.

I am even resistant to the traditional mealtime prayer because it is so hard to keep it from becoming a requisite and meaningless habit that must legalistically precede the proper ingestion of food.

However, I also know that, unlike me, many people find a spiritual ritual to be an inspiring and meaningful act. Perhaps this is why some churches have a liturgical service and others do not. Different strokes for different folks.

Despite my dislike of ritual, a friend recently pointed out that I have, in fact, adopted my own rituals, which I call spiritual disciplines.

For example, I usually end and begin each day with prayer; I regularly have a time of daily Bible reading and contemplation, and I generally fast one day each week.

These are my rituals, they aren’t done mindlessly, and they do hold meaning for me.

They have become a significant part of my spiritual formation and growth.

So, when done right, rituals are valuable after all.

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Tags fasting, follower of Jesus, pray, ritual, spiritual discipline

Bible Insights

Blessed are the Meek

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 14, 2011

Do you aspire to be meek? Not likely. Who would?

When I think of meek, I think of spineless, compliant, and easily imposed upon.

While that is a correct understanding of what it is to be meek, it is also the secondary definition for the word.

The first definition for meek is patient, humble, gentle, and long-suffering.

Even with that perspective, meekness is not a trait that many in our world today desire.

Consider, however, that Moses, the great leader of ancient Israel, was characterized as being meek. Even more so, Jesus himself claimed to be meek. Plus, Paul taught that we should all be meek.

Given that Moses and Jesus were meek, and Paul taught it, perhaps we need to give this trait some serious consideration.

After all, Jesus promised that the meek will inherit the earth.

[Numbers 12:3, Matthew 11:29, Colossians 3:12, Matthew 5:5]

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Tags Jesus, Moses, Paul

Bible Insights

Where Are You?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 7, 2011

In the Song of Songs, the girl reveals something personal. She is self-conscious about the dark tones of her skin (from spending too much time in the sun, she says). She doesn’t want others to stare.

Yet the friends in this story want to do just that. They admire her uniqueness and ask to gaze upon her. This is ironic; the exact thing that makes her uncomfortable, others admire.

More significantly, is that her lover desires to do the same. He says, “Show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.” His love for her is revealed through his desire.

While this human love story between a man and a woman is wonderful and inviting, the underlying analogy is of the love story between God and us. By extension, God wants to look at us; he wants to hear our voice!

If this seems strange, know that there is precedent.

You may recall that after Adam and Eve hid from God, that God sought them out, calling “Where are you?”*

I hear the same call to us today.

*Their location was not a mystery to God; he merely wanted them to come to him on their own accord—as he does of us.

Read the passages referenced above.

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Tags Adam and Eve, King Solomon, love, mystery, Song of Songs

Bible Insights

Pursuing God Can be Risky

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 5, 2011

I have heard some claim that if you follow Jesus, all your problems will be solved and life will become an idyllic and blissful existence.

While I suppose that could be the case, I don’t reach that conclusion when I read my Bible.

In one of the more obscure passages, this is shown figuratively in The Song of Songs.

Twice, overcome in desperation to be with her lover (the king), the girl makes an ill-advised nighttime foray into the dark to find him. Both times, she encounters watchmen.

The first occurs without incident, but the second time she is mistreated by them.

The degree of abuse is unclear, but it could be understood as severe.

Just as she is willing to risk much to be with the king she loves, so to do God’s followers take risks to be with the King they love.

And if we truly love him, no risk is too great.

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Tags follower of Jesus, God, love

Christian Living

The First Step is Recognizing Our Need for God

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 3, 2011

The Twelve Step program, developed by Alcoholics Anonymous to help people struggling with alcohol addiction, has been extended to address a wide range of destructive, compulsive behaviors.

Key applications include drugs, food, sex, gambling, and smoking.

The Steps aptly apply to spiritual issues, too. Whatever the situation, be it a compulsion, a habit, a temptation, a struggle, a worry, or a distraction, the underlying premise of the 12 Steps provides the right focus.

Essentially, it’s realizing we can’t deal with it on our own, and we need God’s help to see long-term victory. We have a need for God to deal with our issues. Whatever they may be.

Whatever we want to change about ourselves, there’s a limit to how much we can accomplish by our own will and strength.

While God has the power to immediately remove issues and struggles from our lives—and I’ve seen it happen—often it is a slower process. It takes time, one day at a time.

It is frustrating for God to not immediately remove something from our lives when we ask, but I wonder if the main point might just be the journey.

Perhaps he wants us to learn something and mature as we move down our path to freedom. If he granted instant success, we would miss whatever lesson he has awaiting us.

Regardless if the resolution is immediate or a process, the beginning step is to realize it’s beyond us, and we need God’s help.

All of us have a need for God.

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Tags God