Category: Christian Living

Pursuing a holistic expression of Christian faith that is true to the Bible and applicable for today’s world.

Reading the Bible with Preconceived Notions

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 13, 2014
6 Comments on Reading the Bible with Preconceived Notions

Do We Read the Bible with Preconceived Notions?

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 scrutiny.

The problem is, we often justify our spiritual practices because we read the Bible through the very lens formed by those same practices. That is, we tend to only see what conforms to what we do, and we ignore the rest.

Our preconceived notions seeks justification—and we find it.

For example, not many of us—I hope none of us—handle snakes as part of our religious services, yet those that do have a verse to support it.

The same approach validates polygamy as a religious practice. The list goes on. If we try hard enough, we can prooftext almost anything.

Furthermore, it’s human nature to focus on verses that support our actions and beliefs, while we skim or skip passages that challenge them. We desire biblical confirmation and avoid biblical confrontation.

To combat this, I strive to do the opposite, skimming the verses I like and carefully considering the passages I don’t: the ones that confuse me or oppose my point of view.

I hope the result is a more holistic understanding of biblical Christianity, and I know it makes me more accepting of different Christian practices.

Join me in reading the Bible, not for self-validation, but to grasp a grander comprehension of God and how to best follow him.

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 read the Bible

Christian Living

Explore Our Faith Practices

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 6, 2014
4 Comments on Explore Our Faith Practices

Why Do We Do What We Do?

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 meaningless ritual?

For example, in 52 Churches, I witnessed many services that began by lighting two candles. I’m still trying to figure this one out. Why do they light candles in the first place? Is there biblical support for it? And why two?

Three would represent the Trinity, but two? If there’s a symbolic reason for two – or even lighting candles for that matter—then we need to know what it is so we can celebrate it. Else we should eliminate it as a practice without purpose.

Candles and the number two, however, are minor considerations. Whether or not we light two candles is of little consequence—as long as we don’t attach spiritual significance to it.

However, there are bigger issues, much bigger issues, that have permeated our faith practices.

Let me be bold and assert we’ve messed up most of what we do, elevating tradition over biblical command.

Consider the process of becoming a Christian. This is rife with manmade ideas that aren’t in the Bible. Yet many have elevated these processes as nonnegotiable faith requirements, superseding what Jesus taught.

I think that makes them heresy. Yes, I said many churches practice heresy. I talk about this in How Big Is Your Tent?

So you know I’m not making this up, the origins of our religious ways are researched in the mind-blowing book, Pagan Christianity? by Frank Viola and George Barna.

So many of our practices are not rooted in scripture and several emanate from secular culture; that is, their origin is pagan.

I encourage you to boldly examine your faith practices. Eliminate all that lack biblical support. What remains will be a purer, more God-honoring spirituality.

Join me in asking, “Why?”

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Tags Christianity, heresy, read the Bible, religious

Christian Living

When Will Winter End?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date April 1, 2014

Always Winter and Never Christmas

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 about equal proportions. According to the calendar, winter lasts ninety days. However, this year our winter weather started sooner, piled snow deeper, inflicted frigid temperatures, and lasted longer.

Everyone I talk to is anxious for spring. Even people who claim winter as their favorite season, look forward to warmer weather.

A couple weeks ago enough snow melted to where our deck was bare (aided by my snow shovel—an act of desperation on my part). On Facebook, I asked about setting out our patio furniture.

The answer was “no.” They were right, of course, and I was rushing spring. Winter will remain with us a while longer, causing us to ask, “When will winder end?”

Yet as I wait for spring to arrive, I focus on the future and forget the present. In some ways, I’ve placed my life on hold, squandering today as I wait for tomorrow. I need to stop doing that.

On Tuesday it snowed some more. Today the temperature is above freezing. I’m declaring an end to winter. And even if that doesn’t happen, I won’t waste another day waiting for something better to come along.

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Tags C. S. Lewis, Christmas, holiday, seasons

Christian Living

How Should We Understand Jihad?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date March 23, 2014

In further contemplating last week’s post about being spiritually militant—of fighting evil in the spiritual realm—the word jihad comes to mind. Jihad, originating from Islam, has some specific meanings and one that is more general:

A Muslim holy war or spiritual struggle against infidels in defense of the Islamic faith.
In Islam, the personal struggle of the individual believer against evil and persecution.
In Islam, an individual’s striving for spiritual self-perfection.
A crusade in support of a cause; any vigorous, emotional crusade for an idea or principle.

In a literal sense, the idea of a holy war repels me.

The various inquisitions and crusades, primarily during the Middle Ages, provide sufficient evidence to convince us that a physical battle to root out heresy or forcibly promote a certain religious perspective is never a good idea.

However, in a supernatural sense, a holy war should be pursued. As Paul says in the Bible, this isn’t a fight against people but “against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms,” for which we need spiritual armor.

From this stems my idea of being spiritually militant. This is one way to understand and embrace jihad in a broader sense.

Also intriguing is the third definition of “striving for spiritual self-perfection,” but we must proceed carefully.

Though we should desire to more fully be like Jesus, we can’t achieve this on our own; we cannot earn our right standing with God through our own efforts.

Instead, we work with him, through his Holy Spirit, to move towards what he would have us to become. This is also an understanding of jihad that I can embrace.

Because of the likelihood of being misunderstood, we must be careful in using the word jihad. However, these are two ways we can embrace jihad as a follower of Jesus.

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Tags heresy, spirituality, supernatural

Christian Living

Are You Spiritually Militant?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date March 16, 2014

We Are on the Winning Side and Can Tell the Devil Where to Go

This is my second and likely last post about music from my past. First, I blogged about “I Scream Sunday” and today my topic is Stryper’s “To Hell with the Devil.”

This heavy metal tune stirs up a passion inside of me, a desire to oppose and push back the onslaught of evil. I’m not talking about evil within this world; my focus is on evil in the spiritual realm. In short, I want to be spiritually militant.

Some people diminish or dismiss the concept of an evil spiritual force, that is, the devil, a.k.a., Satan, the enemy, the deceiver, the father of lies. In a modern world, he doesn’t make sense.

After all, we can’t tangibly observe or measure him, so he must not exist. Modern-thinking people laugh him off as myth. I do not.

Other people cower in fear over his power to inflict suffering. They see him as an equal and opposing force to the goodness of God.

Instead of living in freedom, they shrink back in terror, worrying about what evil he might throw their way next. I do not.

Spiritually Militant

Yes, our spiritual enemy is real, and he is powerful. But God is more powerful. I’m on the winning side. Through his power and by his authority, I can tell spiritual evil where to go.

I can say with confidence, “To hell with the devil”—and I do, in both a figurative and literal sense. This makes me spiritually militant.

As I read the Bible, especially the book of Acts, I get a sense that God wants spiritually militant followers. He desires we walk in his power and do battle in the spiritual realm.

But too many people are content to play it safe, protected in the comfortable cocoon of complacency.

Fight the Christian status quo. Become spiritually militant. Check out the lyrics or listen/watch the song, “To Hell with the Devil”; join me in belting out the chorus.

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Tags faith, spiritual journey, spirituality

Christian Living

Is Writing Art?

As a Word Artist, I Create Art with My Words

I’ve never called myself an artist, in large part because I think I’m one of the most uncreative persons on the planet.

I’m good at building on the work of others and adept at making something that flows from logic or order, but when it comes to creating something completely new, something unique, something with unprecedented innovation, I fall far short.

Pure originality is not my strength.

I’ve grown to accept this, marveling at the free-spirited artists who through some innate ability (aided, no doubt, by years of practice) originate fresh works of genius on a regular basis.

Like them, I long to start with nothing and make something, an awe-inspiring something. But for me that seldom happens.

I’m talking about the visual arts, and I’m not a visual artist. What about preforming arts? No, that’s not me either. I can’t think of much worse than to stand in front of people (or a camera) in order to entertain.

So, I’m not an artist; I’m a writer. However, as a writer, I do create, at least partially. I arrange and rearrange words in a way that no one else does. I have my own style; I’ve developed my writing voice.

Sometimes the result is a pleasing arrangement, while other times my assembly of letters falls short. Still these words make up my work, my art, my written art.

Like me, I’ve never met another writer who used the label artist. Maybe that should change. Perhaps we wordsmiths need to embrace the creative element, that is, the art aspect of our work.

Last year, I saw my first indication of someone else wondering the same thing.

At ArtPrize—an international art competition that celebrates the visual and preforming arts—a group of visionaries dared to produce a book of words as part of the festivities.

The result was Imagine This! An Art Prize Anthology. With hundreds of submissions, I received the honor to have my place, albeit a small one, in the finished product.

Now, as I ponder what to submit to this year’s competition, I realize I’m one step closer to considering myself an artist and to calling my writing art. It’s still a strange thought, but I’m warming up to the idea.

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Christian Living

Why Must We Resort to Name Calling?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date March 9, 2014
2 Comments on Why Must We Resort to Name Calling?

Beware of Using Labels

“Are you Arminian or Reformed?” The man’s question surprised me. He seemed sincere, and my answer was apparently important to him, but it perplexed me. Besides, I just met the guy.

“I don’t know.” And I didn’t care. I’m sure he thought me as evasive or dismissive or pagan or perhaps all three, but I was just being honest. Knowing the answer never merited my time.

He tried again. “What’s tulip mean?”

Oh, I’ve heard this one. “Um, it’s an acronym…” If I knew the answer, he’d label me Reformed. If I didn’t, would that make me Arminian? “…but I don’t remember what it stands for.” Again, honesty prevailed.

Snorting, he tipped his head back and rolled his eyes. He stared for a moment, shook his head, and then stomped off.

I’ve also had people try to pigeonhole me into one of the three main streams of Protestantism: Mainline/liberal/traditional, evangelical/fundamental, or Pentecostal/charismatic.

How about none of the above? While I identify with parts of all three groups, each has elements I decry.

Then there are those who align with certain preachers or theologians. I respect some, but that doesn’t cause me to follow them. (Consider 1 Corinthians 1:12).

I disagree with others, but that doesn’t cause me to reject them. After all, I might be wrong.

For me, my theology comes from the Bible and my commitment is to Jesus. Nothing else matters, so stop calling me names.

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Tags follower of Jesus

Christian Living

Systematic Theology Sucks

Consider How You View and Approach God

Two weeks ago, in my post Don’t Make God Boring, I mentioned my dislike for an area of study called systematic theology.

Systematic theology is a theological discipline that attempts to present God and Christian faith in an organized and logical structure.

Some people have dedicated their entire adult lives to the pursuit of delineating a comprehensive systematic theology of God. I think they’re missing the point. Here’s why:

It’s Not in the Bible

If having a systematic theology was important, don’t you think God would have included it in the Bible, all in one place? Paul would have been an ideal person to do this, but he didn’t. Instead, he addressed practical matters of faith and life.

It’s a Product of Modernism

The modern era pushed spirituality aside, relegating it to Sunday morning. Modernity espoused logic and reason, embracing objective truth and only accepting the quantifiable.

Out of this mindset, sprang the pursuit of a systematic theology: let’s organize God.

It’s Boring

In college, the most irrelevant class I took was Systematic Theology. Even though they simplified it for non-theologians, it was largely incomprehensible and completely boring.

The God they alluded to was not the God I follow or read about in the Bible.

It’s Impersonal

Systematic theology reduces God to a sterile intellectual pursuit. However, my faith is anything but that: I pray directly to my Father in Heaven, follow the person of Jesus, and move to the specific promptings of the Holy Spirit.

These are all intimate interactions, not theoretical musings; these are personal actions, not conceptual constructs.

While some people may embrace God as a comprehensive, systematic theology, I pursue him as living, accessible, and personal. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Tags theology

Christian Living

God Never Calls In Sick

For the first time in several years, I have a cold. I’m too wired to sleep but too drowsy to do much else; I alternate between too hot and too cold. I don’t deal with illness well, just ask my wife.

My cold has thrown me off my routine, detracting from the daily rhythms I have with God. Although I know he’s as close as always, I don’t sense his presence; praying is a challenge.

What a wimp I am for letting a minor physical ailment affect my spiritual well-being. Though I may take a sick day or two, God never does.

Unlike me, some people grapple with life-threatening health issues, yet they stay on track spiritually.

I’ve also known people who struggled with the death of a loved one, a failed business, a wayward child, a significant financial setback, or long-term unemployment.

Like Job, in the Bible, their faith remains strong and may even grow. Some will later say they’re thankful for their ordeal because it brought them closer to God.

However, others encounter these same life trials and are quick to blame God. They turn their backs on him and abandon their faith. Their reaction is their undoing. God is still there for them, but they’re not willing to let him.

When life’s major issues assail me, I hope I’ll remain strong and respond like the first group of people, but the way I react to a cold, makes me wonder.

Fortunately for me, God never calls in sick, even when I do.

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Tags God

Christian Living

Don’t Make God Boring

To me, God is a mystery: a beautiful, elusive mystery. I cannot possibly comprehend all there is to know about him. I will never have an answer to every question people ask about him or fathom how he functions.

I’m okay with that. In fact, I celebrate it.

There’s an allure to not knowing.

If a person could fully understand God, that wouldn’t make him much of a god, would it? Complete comprehension of who he is would reduce him to our level.

Who wants to follow a god like that, something only slightly more complex than you or I?

A god we fully comprehend would be boring.

But my God isn’t boring, and I’m quite intolerant of people who try to make him that way. These are the scholarly, intellectual types who write books that attempt to subject God to structure, to force him into a box (or book) they can hold.

They even have a name for this: Systematic theology. I’m not sure if their puny, pitiful efforts amuse God or anger him. What I do know is I don’t ever want to fall into this trap.

I would never try to quantify my wife or attempt to delineate who she is. That would be futile and quite boring. Besides, my efforts would most likely irritate her. I love her and that’s what matters.

I don’t know anyone who would formulate a “systemic theology” of his or her spouse, so why do some people think they need to quantify and delineate God?

Why do some people insist on taking God, with his mystery, illusion, and allure, and make him boring? Please, don’t ever do that.

Today, and every day, may we truly celebrate who God is, embracing his unfathomable depths and his endless layers.

Let’s just love him.

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Tags God, mystery