In the accounts of Jesus’ life, there’s a curious exchange he has with the religious leaders. Although he has many such interactions, this is perhaps the most perplexing. He tells them healthy people don’t need a doctor. True. Then he makes a parallel assertion that his purpose isn’t to help good people (the “righteous”) but […]
There are two approaches to take when reading the Bible: quantity and quality. Quantity In the past I’ve read the entire Bible through in a year, many times. Other times I’ve opted to read the Old Testament in a year and many more times, the New Testament in a year. The pace is a bit […]
Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America By Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)Divided by Faith investigates race relations between whites and blacks in the United States. Although white evangelicals have a well-intentioned desire to end racial inequality, their efforts can—and have—unwittingly serve to do more […]
In Matthew’s biography of Jesus, he repeats one phrase three times: “When Jesus had finished saying these things…” From this we can list three responses to Jesus. This phrase signals a transition in the story. Jesus spoke to the people and afterward the people respond: Today people’s reactions to Jesus occur in the same three […]
Serious Thinking about October 31 My perspective on Halloween has changed over the years. Here are my seven reflections on Halloween 1. As a kid I relished the opportunity to score some candy, a rare and treasured treat. 2. As a teen I was too old to go trick-or-treating, but there was usually a party […]
The Fisherman or the Carpenter A guy named Peter knew how to fish. That was his trade, his livelihood. When it came to catching fish, he was the expert. Peter’s buddy Jesus was a carpenter by trade. He knew how to make things with his hands, things constructed of wood. He was an expert at […]
For the past two weeks, I’ve been sharing a progression of thought about God as it relates to love and fear. Consider: We are to fear God, which begins to produce understanding and wisdom. We grow to understand that God is love and ultimately that perfect love—as embodied by Jesus—removes our fear. Though we may […]
Stark Raving Obedience: Radical Results from Listening Prayer By Ted Kallman and Isaiah Kallman (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)“The only way to have a personal relationship with anyone is to talk with them, to build trust and have a history with them,” (p 12). This is a fitting perspective for Ted and Isaiah Kallman’s book Stark […]
Author Peter DeHaan spoke at the Breathe Christian Writers Conference on October 12, 2012, in Dutton Michigan. This year’s conference enjoyed a record attendance and attendees flocked to Peter DeHaan’s workshop, “Writing 101: Getting Started in Your Writing Career.” Although billed as an introductory session, it was attended by both new and experienced writers. “I […]
As a writer, I write alone; it’s a solitary activity. So it’s good for me to periodically emerge from my self-imposed cocoon and spend time with other people—and other writers are the people who understand me best, those with who I am most comfortable to be around. I just returned from a Christian Writers conference. […]