Last Sunday I challenged us to examine our faith practices, using the Bible as a foundation to confirm or refute the things we do in church (and in life). This way, we can consider our traditions and remove those that don’t withstand biblical...
A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 By Phillip Keller (reviewed by Peter DeHaan) The idea of a shepherd overseeing his flock is a powerful metaphor of the relationship between God and his people. Unfortunately, today’s world has largely lost touch...
I spent a season with my Bible reading focused on notable women in the Bible. Some are famous, many are obscure, and a few are infamous. It’s been in interesting study, and I’ll share some of what I’m discovering. What I’ve learned is that even...
A Contemporary Service (Visiting Church #52, part two) There’s a half hour span between the two services. As we wait, we recognize many people, waving “Hi” to some and enjoying meaningful conversation with others. Time passes quickly. The stage...
I have a compulsion that irritates people, especially in religious circles. I ask, “Why?” I need to know why we do the things we do. What reason is behind them? Is there a biblical justification? Or is it a manmade tradition that has become...
Reviewed by Peter DeHaan Shot documentary style in the 1960s, A Time for Burning captures honest, balanced, poignant, and candid insights into race issues and segregation from a different era. In the decades since, some things have changed...
The book of Deuteronomy has a curious passage about prophecy. It teaches if a prophet says something God didn’t instruct him or her to say, the prophet must be executed. That should certainly cause prophets to be careful with their words, saying...
In C. S. Lewis’s classic book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the land of Narnia is under duress: it is always winter and never Christmas. As winter drags on this year, I feel the same way. In Michigan, we enjoy all four seasons and in...
A Blended Service (Visiting Church #52, part one) The church has two services: a “blended” celebration, followed by a contemporary one. For their blended service, traditional organ music engulfs the space during the prelude, prompting...
The first time someone said this to me, I was both excited and dismayed: “God’s calling me to full-time ministry – so I’m going to seminary.” Though I’ve now heard it many times since, my reaction is the same. I’m thrilled whenever anyone desires...
