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Bible Insights

One Mistake is One Too Many

Last week we talked about Moses’ mistake of hitting the rock instead of speaking to it. He did this in disobedience to what God told him to do. The Bible calls this sin.

As a result of Moses’ mistake, that is his sin, he was only permitted to see the land God promised to give to the people, but he could not enter into it.

This is a great illustration of the idea of following all the rules but one and then not getting into heaven because we’re not good enough.

We can’t earn our way into heaven, because just one “oops” removes that chance. Fortunately, the way to heaven is much easier; it’s called faith.

[Deuteronomy 32:51-52, Deuteronomy 34:4, James 2:10, and Ephesians 2:8-9]

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: Divided by Faith

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 harm than good, “actually recreating racial divisions and inequalities,” (p 1).

A key issue is that the actuality of racial issues is largely invisible to—and therefore misunderstood by—most white people.

Compounding this is the reality that 90% or more attend a church that is predominately comprised of people of their same race, producing congregational segregation.

This racial isolation exacerbates the tension.

Emerson and Smith give a detailed historical perspective of this issue as it relates to U.S. churches and church activities, specifically from evangelicals.

They then look at the present situation, sharing numerous detailed accounts from the people they interviewed in the course of their research.

The differences in perceptions and understandings of race issues among most whites and blacks are stark and in sharp contrast.

Succinctly, most white people lack the ability to comprehend the reality of struggles and obstacles that most black people face on a daily basis.

For white people, “race is not a focal point in their day-to-day lived experience,” (p 71).

To illustrate the point, Emerson and Smith share a profoundly effective parable that explains this disconnect in a poignant and most enlightening manner (p 110).

A reoccurring discussion in the book is exploring the source of the black/white socioeconomic gap. Is the gap individual in nature (ability and motivation) or structural (education and discrimination)?

Answering this question would provide much-needed guidance in dealing with and overcoming the socioeconomic gap, but the answers are both complex and evasive.

In addition to the book’s many recorded and enlightening personal interviews are numerous facts and statistics produced through research.

As such, much of the book has a formal and academic nature that may unwittingly obscure clear solutions to racial issues in American society, in general, and the evangelical church, specifically.

What is clear is that “good intentions are not enough. But educated, sacrificial, realistic efforts made in faith across racial lines can help…” (p 172). And that is a good place to start.

[Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America, by Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith. Published by Oxford University Press, 2000, ISBN: 978-0-19-514707-0, 212 pages.]

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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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Christian Living

Is There a Connection Between Church and Faith?

I recently read an article where the author lamented, “Young people are leaving the church.” A bit later he wrote, “Young people don’t stick with their faith.”

His implication was that the two statements meant the same thing. They do not—and assuming they do is part of the problem.

I’ve had frequent, ongoing struggles with church as its commonly practiced and church attendance—so much so that I’m writing two books about it. However, my church issues have never challenged or confronted my faith.

In fact, questioning church has strengthened my spiritual convictions, clarifying what I believe and why, confirming what is important and what is distraction.

Yes, young people are leaving the modern church, but not because they’re giving up on God. Rather, they’re giving up on the way we do church.

They’re seeking more than what church is able to give. They want more of God and will do what they need to, even if it means leaving the church to find 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.

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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Christian Living

What Do You Expect When You Pray?

When some people pray, they pray expecting God will answer their prayers and good things will happen.

When other people pray, they pray expecting there’s only an outside chance God will come through; bad things are bound to happen.

When you pray do you expect God to say “yes” or expect him to say “no?”

If we pray expecting God to grant our requests, there will be times when we are disappointed.

However, if we pray with little expectation of God granting our requests, there will only be a few times when we are surprised. We must pray in faith and without doubting.

I tend to be in the first group—expecting the best from God—and not in the latter group—expecting little from him. I see God as kind, loving, and benevolent, wanting to give me good things—all I need to do is ask.

When I pray, I almost always expect God to say “yes.”

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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Christian Living

The Festival of Faith and Writing

The Connections Between Faith and Writing

Last weekend I attended the Festival of Faith and Writing conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Although the words “faith” and “writing” both appear in the conference name, I expected the benefits of attending to be primarily writing related.

While my expectations to learn more about the art and craft of writing were realized, there was also a spiritual aspect, which came as a pleasant surprise, even though only the concluding chapel service was specifically faith focused.

I’m still trying to determine why the conference was a significant spiritual experience for me. Being surrounded by two thousand other like-minded writers was surely a contributing factor.

And it being held at Calvin College, a Christian liberal arts school, certainly didn’t hurt. Or perhaps it was an answer to the prayer that my buddy Jerry and I uttered on our drive there.

What I do know is something doesn’t need to be overtly spiritual for there to be spiritual value—and the Festival of Faith and Writing proved that to be true.

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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Bible Insights

There’s More to Discover in the Bible

Check out these books of the Bible, which are not found in all versions, but are in others, such as The Jerusalem Bible:

Tobit

Tobit is a story of Tobiah who journeys with Raphael to retrieve some money for his father (Tobit). Along the way he is attacked by a fish and gets married; when he returns home, he restores his father’s eyesight.

Judith

Judith is an account of beautiful and pious women, who daringly and single-handedly delivers the Jewish people from their enemy, using her beauty and charm, while remaining pure and chaste.

1 Maccabees

1 Maccabees is both a historical and literary work about stoic faith; it addresses the politics and military situation around Israel circa the second century BCE.

2 Maccabees

2 Maccabees covers approximately the same time as First Maccabees, but from a different perspective and includes signs, wonders, and miracles.

Wisdom

Wisdom (aka The Wisdom of Solomon) is like other wisdom literature in the Bible.

Sirach

Sirach (aka Ecclesiasticus, not to be confused with Ecclesiastes), is a compilation of sayings similar to Proverbs, concluding with a tribute to notable Jewish figures.

Baruch

Baruch, written by Baruch (Jeremiah’s scribe), is effectively a sequel to the book of Jeremiah, written after the people are exiled.

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: The Other Side of Heaven

Reviewed by Peter DeHaan

The Other Side of Heaven is a wonderfully inspiring real-life saga that is a part love story (on two levels) and part adventure, with a touch of spirituality mixed in for a pleasing result.

In the 1950s, fresh out of college, young John Groberg (Christopher Gorham) agrees to a three-year missionary stint and is assigned to the faraway island of Tonga.

Though he is willing, he is quite unprepared for the culture shock and the many dangers that await him.

In going, he leaves behind a budding relationship with Jean Sabin (Anne Hathaway). With letters being their only source of communication, their relationship blooms as they are passionately and steadfastly drawn to each other.

At the same time, John’s love for the Tongan people also emerges, forming deep and significant relationships in the process.

Although John does not escape his share of humorous—and at times life-threatening—blunders, his hard work is ultimately rewarded as he lovingly and patiently wins over the hearts and minds of the native peoples.

[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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Reviews of Books & Movies

Book Review: Muslims, Christians, and Jesus

Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships

By Carl Medearis b

Most Christians are fearful and distrustful of Muslims and author Carl Medearis asserts that Muslims are likewise fearful and distrustful of Christians. 

In both cases, these attitudes are largely misplaced, resulting from misinformation, false stereotypes, and the highly publicized work of a radical minority—from both camps.

In the book Muslims, Christians, and Jesus, Medearis effectively breaks down these divisive preconditions through education and explanation, interlaced with poignant personal stories, which are a result from his many years spent in the Middle East.

In the course of doing so, this book provides an excellent primer on the origins of Islam, core beliefs, and Muslim parallels to Christianity.  Most enlightening, however, is the elucidation of the perspective of the majority of Muslims.

Medearis explains how followers of Jesus can reach out to Muslins and form relationships. 

He shares guidelines on what to do and what to avoid, explains the common ground between the two monotheistic faiths, and provides helpful insight into the Qur’an.

This book is a must read for any follower of Jesus who desires to understand and connect with his or her Muslim neighbors.

[Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships, by Carl Medearis. Published by Bethany House Publishers, 2008; ISBN: 978-0764205675; 192 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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Bible Insights

Jesus and the Fig Tree

The One About the Fig Tree

Have you ever heard the story about Jesus and the fig tree?

Jesus is heading into Jerusalem and is hungry. Seeing a fig tree, he searches its foliage for something to eat. Finding nothing, he seems to get a tad irritated, declaring that it will never again produce fruit.

The fig tree withers and his disciples are amazed.

Jesus uses this as an opportunity to teach them about praying in faith.  [Matthew 21:18-22, Mark 11:12-14, 20-26]

I agree with that lesson; it is astonishing, remarkable, and encouraging.

However, I also have a secondary thought about this story. The purpose of the fig tree is to produce fruit.

When Jesus finds no fruit, he dismisses it and the tree dies; his disciples say that he cursed it. As followers of Jesus, we are also supposed to bear fruit. If we do not bear fruit, will Jesus dismiss us as well?

This is a sobering thought and one that is reinforced when Jesus says that he is a vine, we are his branches, and he cuts off all branches that don’t bear fruit. [John 15:1-8]

If this leaves you a bit flummoxed, balance this concern with the assurance, found in the next verse, that Jesus loves us. [John 15:9]

So, pray in faith, produce fruit, and know that you are loved!

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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Reviews of Books & Movies

Book Review: Under the Overpass

A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America

By Mike Yankoski (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

College student Mike Yankoski felt a promoting to truly understand what it was like to be homeless—by living among them.

After careful planning Mike, and friend Sam, embarked on a six-month, six-city odyssey that completely changed all their perceptions of what it is to be homeless.

Along the way, they made many new friends (mostly among the homeless), were helped by only a few non-homeless people, and were largely ignored and even vilified by the rest.

With rare exception, the organized church’s response was inadequate at best and adversarial at worst.

Most of us don’t have the option to live among the homeless for six months; plus we would likely lack the courage to do so even if we had the time.

This book may be the next best alternative to increasing our understanding of what it is to be homeless.

If you read it, you will be changed.

[Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America, by Mike Yankoski. Published by Multnomah Books, 2005; ISBN: 978-1590524022; 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.