Category: Reviews of Books & Movies

Book and movie reviews of Christian friendly content.

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Reviews of Books & Movies

Book Review: Pagan Christianity?

PAGAN Christianity

Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices

By Frank Viola and George Barna (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

Pagan Christianity? is an eye-opening delineation of how numerous traditions, customs, and practices have been erroneously introduced to the church that Jesus’ followers started. This lengthy list lacks substantive biblical support.

Among the things we got wrong are the church building, sermon, paid staff, dressing up for church, tithing, how we baptize and celebrate communion, and Christian education.

The book’s concluding chapters suggest how to best study, understand, and use the Bible. Reminding us that Jesus was a revolutionary, the authors show that opposing the religious status quo is not without precedent.

In determining how to respond to this enumeration of deviations from biblical command and practice, we are encouraged to pursue new approaches to worship, spiritual growth, managing resources, and understanding our identity.

However, these are not found in something new, as much as something old—about 2,000 years old—the organic church, as modeled by the early church.

Meticulously researched and amply footnoted, with discussion questions for each chapter, Pagan Christianity? can serve equally well as a primer on Biblical Christianity, a discussion guide, or a research tool.

[Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices, by Frank Viola and George Barna. Published by Tyndale Momentum, 2012, ISBN: 978-1414364551, 336 pages.]

Read more book reviews by Peter DeHaan.Save

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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Reviews of Books & Movies

Book Review: Mere Christianity

Mere Christianity

By C. S. Lewis (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

C. S. Lewis’s book, Mere Christianity, is based on a series of BBC radio broadcasts in the early 1940s.

Initially, published as three separate volumes Broadcast Talks (1942), Christian Behaviour (1943), and Beyond Personality (1944), the works were combined in 1952 to result in Mere Christianity, that is to say, merely expounding on Christianity.

Mere Christianity is divided into four sections:  The first is “Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe,” which aptly serves as a strong foundation on which the rest of the book—and Christianity—is built.

The second section, “What Christians Believe,” shows that we have free will to love God or deny Him, but Satan, our enemy, wants us to think we can be like God (which explains all of history).

God sent Jesus into the world; his death puts us right with God, yet it evokes a response: change. “Christian Behavior” is the title for part three, which covers practical behavior issues. Doctrine is addressed in the book’s final section.

Lewis concludes with the encouragement to “look for Christ and you will find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in,” a fitting conclusion to this intellectual treatise on what is merely Christianity.

[Mere Christianity, by C. S. Lewis. Published by Harper San Francisco, 2009, ISBN: 978-0060652920, 227 pages.]

Read more book reviews by Peter DeHaan.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
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Reviews of Books & Movies

Movie Review: So, Who Is This Jesus?

Who is this Jesus?

Reviewed by Peter DeHaan

So, Who Is This Jesus?” is a made-for-TV production that provides an accurate overview of the main events of the Old and New Testaments of the Bible — in 48 minutes.

In narrative form and shot in Israel, the production includes a few basic re-enactments of historical events, but mostly shows the narrator (Russell Boulter) in historical settings.

His smooth delivery makes for compelling viewing, often stating Biblical facts in a modern, relevant manner.

It is not a dramatic cinema, but it does provide reliable information in a well-done format.

This video is a great primer for someone who wants a quick overview of the Bible and obtain a basic understanding of the historical beginnings of Christianity. For others it is a good review, highlighting the main theme of the Bible.

[Read more reviews by Peter DeHaan of other faith-friendly videos and movies.]Save

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
​
​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.

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Book Review: Jesus Has Left The Building

Jesus Has Left The Building

Book Review: Jesus Has Left The Building

Jesus Has Left The Building

By Paul Vieira (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

Paul Vieira, a post-modern, Gen Xer, shares his experience within the traditional (institutional) church and his call to “leave the building” so that he could encounter a more “organic” church experience.

What he seeks is something that is more in line with the church that Jesus started and as shown in the gospel accounts.

Just as Jesus “left the building,” both then and, in many respects, now, he is calling his church to follow suit, leaving the comfortable confines of a building and going out into society, just as he did. Vieira shares seven secrets or lessons that can be gleaned from the church that Jesus started.

Drawing parallels between today and the message of Jeremiah and the example of Daniel, Vieira encourages Jesus’ followers to do the same.

They are to act counter-cultural (as Jeremiah called the Israelites to do) within their society so that they can be God’s voice when called upon.

Today’s institutional church has been marginalized and discredited; society no longer looks there for answers.

However, a Jesus follower, truly engaged with his or her culture, can be a source that people turn to for real answers (as was the case with Daniel).

[Jesus Has Left The Building, by Paul Vieira. Published by Karis Publishing, Inc., 2006, ISBN: 978-0971804081, 276 pages.]

Read more book reviews by Peter DeHaan.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
​
​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.

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Book Review: How People Grow

how people grow

How People Grow: What the Bible Reveals About Personal Growth

By Henry Cloud and John Townsend (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

This book is intended to help people grow and is applicable even when other common approaches have fallen short. The underlying premise is that all growth is spiritual growth, therefore viable growth has a spiritual dimension.

Doctors Cloud and Townsend take the reader down a methodical path towards a deeper understanding of what is required for growth to truly take place.

The book is broadly filled with real-life examples and personal anecdotes that help the reader better understand and connect with the authors’ teaching on personal growth.

The book’s nineteen chapters are divided into four progressing sections, with the fourth and final section offering ten practical, yet at times challenging, areas to encourage and facilitate growth.

This book is appropriate for those wishing to fine-tune their lives, as well as those in the midst of crisis.

An optional workbook is available as well as an audio recording.

[How People Grow: What the Bible Reveals About Personal Growth, by Henry Cloud and John Townsend. Published by Zondervan, 2009, ISBN: 978-0310257370, 368 pages.]

Read more book reviews by Peter DeHaan.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
​
​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.

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Book Review: Hope for the Flowers

Hope for the Flowers

Hope for the Flowers

By Trina Paulus (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

Hope for the Flowers is a delightful allegory offering messages on multiple levels and applicable to all age groups. It is a short book that can be read in about fifteen minutes and is simply, yet effectively, illustrated by its author Trina Paulus.

As such, it can function nicely as a children’s book, as well as a clever and profound teaching tool for teenagers and adults of all ages.

The story chronicles the life pursuits and relationships of two caterpillars, Stripe and Yellow, searching for meaning and purpose in their lives.

It is about struggle, yearnings, single-minded focus, diligence, perseverance, making mistakes, enlightenment, letting go, and ultimately…well, let’s not spoil the ending.

This book is a great addition to anyone’s library. Buy two: one to keep and one to give away!

[Hope for the Flowers, by Trina Paulus. Published by Paulist Press, 1973, ISBN: 978-0809117543, 160 pages.]

Read more book reviews by Peter DeHaan.Save

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
​
​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.

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Movie Review: The Passion of the Christ

The Passion of the Christ

Reviewed by Peter DeHaan

The Passion of the Christ portrays the final day of Jesus’ (James Caviezel) life, with ample flashbacks to happier times spent with his mother, friends, and disciples.

The main storyline closely follows the Bible record and dramatically shows the physical terror and suffering that Jesus endured so that mankind could have a chance to live.

Director Mel Gibson shines in powerfully presenting an accurate and faithful rendering of Jesus’ pain and agony.

The graphic nature of this is not sugar-coated or glossed over but gives one pause over what is lacking from the standard Sunday School lesson of the Good Friday account.

The film is compelling and powerful, but because of its graphic nature, it is the best film that I will never watch again. Nevertheless, I am glad to have viewed it and recommend that every adult watch it at least once.

[Read more reviews by Peter DeHaan of other faith-friendly videos and movies.]

Discover more about celebrating Jesus and his passion to save us in Peter’s new book, The Passion of Jesus. It is part of the Holiday Celebration Bible Study Series.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Reviews of Books & Movies

Movie Review: Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

Jesus Christ Superstar

Reviewed by Peter DeHaan

A hippy-styled acting troupe steps off their bus in the Israeli desert to perform a rock opera about the last days of Jesus, as seen through the eyes of Judas. Being a traitor, it is not surprising that Judas gets a few things wrong and possesses a skewed sense of his worth in this historic saga.

Even though we know how the story will end, the journey is both our reward and our pleasure. In an anachronistic manner, Superstar treats us to juxtaposed realities of the modern with the ancient.

Despite a dated 70s feel to the directing and choreographing, the music is timeless and inspiring. Whether you watch it for the first time or the tenth, the message and the music are sure to mesmerize.

[Read more reviews by Peter DeHaan of other faith-friendly videos and movies.]

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
​
​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.

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Book Review: Between Two Worlds

Between Two Worlds

Between Two Worlds: The Spiritual Journey of an Evangelical Catholic

By Mike Timmis (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

The subtitle of Between Two Worlds serves as an apt and accurate summary of what the book is about: “The Spiritual Journey of an Evangelical Catholic.”

At first consideration, the phrase “Evangelical Catholic” seems to be a contradiction of terms. However, author Mike Timmis shows autobiographically how these two seemingly enigmatic thoughts are not mutually exclusive.

He deftly demonstrates how they comfortably coexist in his life and ensued through an understandable series of events.

Though faithfully and firmly Catholic, Timmis is also Evangelical. He sees the two as a desirable outcome and points to increased activity and acceptance of Catholics who are also Evangelical.

In addition to providing insight into what it means to be both Catholic and Evangelical, Timmis shares his journey, with its joys and sorrows, success and failures, in an interesting and compelling manner.

This book serves nicely as both an interesting memoir of an amazing man and as a Catholic-Evangelical primer.

[Between Two Worlds: The Spiritual Journey of an Evangelical Catholic, by Mike Timmis. Published by NavPress, 2008, ISBN: 978-1600062483, 256 pages.]

Read more book reviews by Peter DeHaan.

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
​
​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.

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Movie Review: Escape From Hell

escape from hell.

Reviewed by Peter DeHaan

Escape from Hell is an evangelistic drama in which a skeptical doctor is determined to disprove the existence of the afterlife.

Driven to desperation through a series of events, the intellectual healer plans to conduct a test: self-inducing a near-death experience, complete with a plan that trusted colleagues will arrive in time to resuscitate him, rescuing him from the brink of death.

What he ultimately discovers is not just a glimpse of heaven, but also the despair of hell, where he is ultimately sent.

The premise of this movie—a near-death trip to hell—is both intriguing and compelling.

The storyline is cleverly interwoven, moving easily between the present and the past, with the scene of hell providing a gripping understanding of what the netherworld might be like.

Despite these many positives, elements of this movie’s production are a bit lacking by current standards.

Therefore, the critical viewer should seek to enjoy this movie for its message, not for its making.

[Read more reviews by Peter DeHaan of other faith-friendly videos and movies.]

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.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

Bogged Down Reading the Bible?

10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
​
​Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.