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Bible Insights

God’s Sovereignty Allows Him to be Benevolent

God is sovereign; it is one of his characteristics. To be sovereign means to have supreme rank, power, and authority.

The word sovereign appears hundreds of times in the Bible (mostly in the Old Testament) and is usually used as a title for God or in addressing him, as in “Sovereign Lord.”

Many people object to the idea that God is sovereign; it offends them or causes fear. That may be because of a tendency to see sovereignty from a human perspective.

They assume that God’s sovereignty allows him to be malevolent. That is, he is just waiting for us to mess up and then he will do us harm—or give us grief just because he can. But that is not his nature.

God is good and just. His sovereignty actually allows him to be benevolent.  He wants to do good to us, to offer us good things we don’t deserve (grace) and to withhold punishment that we do deserve (mercy).

God’s sovereignty allows for benevolence; his love prohibits malevolence.

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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10 Essential Bible Reading Tips, from Peter DeHaan

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Bible Insights

God’s Love For Us Is Awesome

The word love is overused and misused. Consider the following:

  • I love my wife.
  • I love my house.
  • I love pizza.
  • I love that movie.
  • I love to take nature walks.
  • I’d love to attend.

Love, then, can mean anything from complete devotion to a slight preference—and everywhere in between. As such, when love is used, it takes on a vague connotation, expressing a feeling that is open to wide interpretations.

Another overused and misused word is awesome. Its usage also takes on a full gambit of meaning, from being completely amazed to expressing a slight preference.

Awesome literally means to be worthy of awe. Awe is defined as an inspired mixture of reverence, respect, dread, and wonder.

Given that, it seems to be that only God is truly worthy of our aweand therefore only God is awesome.

Couple true awesomeness with the ultimate, perfect form of love and one could conclude that God’s love for us is awesome!

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

Book Review: A Generous Orthodoxy

Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, mystical/poetic, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, fundamentalist/Calvinist, Anabaptist/Anglican, Methodist, catholic, green, incarnational, depressed- yet hopeful, emergent, unfinished Christian.

By Brian McLaren (reviewed by Peter DeHaan)

In A Generous Orthodoxy, author Brian McLaren seeks to move the modern world’s theological dialog beyond the paralyzing impasse of liberal versus conservative, into a “post-liberal” and “post-conservative” inclusivity.

This, however, does not mean attempting to merely merge the two, but rather moving beyond them, linking orthodoxy with practice (that is binding spiritual theory to loving action) from a biblical perspective.

Towards this end, he shares the various ways in which different manifestations of Christianity (think of denominations) have shaped and influenced his appreciation for and understand of Jesus.

This evokes a realization that God is an “unified, eternal, mysterious, relational community/family/society/entity of saving love.”

Often using hyperbole to provoke critical thinking among his readers, McLaren then asks the confrontational question, “Would Jesus be a Christian?”

This sets the framework for the rest of the book, with each of the ensuing 16 chapters addressing one item in the book’s cumbersomely long subtitle:

Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, mystical/poetic, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, fundamentalist/Calvinist, Anabaptist/Anglican, Methodist, catholic, green, Incarnational, depressed-yet-hopeful, emergent, unfinished Christian.

In doing this, McLaren does not promote an all-encompassing and inclusive orthodoxy—one to conclusively end all orthodoxies—but rather shares his thoughts on what it might include so that productive dialogue can be advanced in constructing an orthodoxy that is generous, as well as accepting, inclusive, and loving. 

Towards that end, each chapter concludes with a list of discussion questions to start the conversation.

[A Generous Orthodoxy: Why I am a missional, evangelical, post/protestant, liberal/conservative, mystical/poetic, biblical, charismatic/contemplative, fundamentalist/Calvinist, Anabaptist/Anglican, Methodist, catholic, green, incarnational, depressed- yet hopeful, emergent, unfinished Christian, by Brian McLaren. Published by Zondervan/Youth Specialties, 2006; ISBN: 978-0310258032; 352 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

An Eye for an Eye; a Tooth for a Tooth

Moses gave a curious command: “Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”

This seems to be an excessive response when one is wronged, but given the culture of that day, it was actually a move towards moderation.

For example, when Jacob’s daughter Dinah was raped, her brothers avenged her violation by killing the perpetrator and all the men in his village and then sacking the city.

That is excessive—and what God, through Moses, wanted to rein in with his “eye of eye, tooth for tooth” imperative.

Jesus, however, took this one step further when he told us to love our enemies and pray for them. That’s how we should act today—lovingly, not vengeful.

[Deuteronomy 19:21, Genesis 34:1-31 (especially verse 2 and 25), Matthew 5:38-48 (especially verse 44)]

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

Video Review: The Devil’s Arithmetic

Reviewed by Peter DeHaan

The Devil’s Arithmetic, based on a book by the same name, focuses on narcissist American teenager, Hanna Stern (Kirsten Dunst). Although Hanna dismisses her Jewish heritage, she is compelled to attend her family’s Seder celebration.

In the midst of her reluctant participation, she is translated to Nazi occupied Poland, circa 1941.

Wishing she paid more attention in history class, Hanna finds herself enmeshed in the unfamiliar Jewish culture of that day and is soon rounded up for “relocation.”

Hanna experiences firsthand the horrors of the brutal, heartless, and inhuman treatment by her captors, all the while developing a deep compassion and sacrificial love for her fellow prisoners.

As Hanna changes, viewers cannot help but be affected as they vicariously experience the atrocities committed by one people group against another.

The result is a powerful and poignant rendering of a history too painful to remember and too important to ignore.

Dunst gives a compelling standout performance, ably aided by Brittany Murphy, with support from Louise Fletcher and Mimi Rogers.

[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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Bible Insights

God’s Love is Perfect and Unconditional

God is the personification of love—and he loves us. God’s love is perfect.

Some people look at their life, the good things they do and the bad things they don’t do, thinking that they are good and therefore worthy of God’s love.

Others consider their life, the bad things that they do and the good things that they don’t do, concluding that they are bad and therefore unworthy of God’s love.

The truth is that there is nothing we can do that will make God love us any more and nothing that we can do that will cause him to love us any less.

God’s love for us is perfect and unconditional. We can’t earn it and we can’t lose it.

God is love.

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

The Fable about the Blind Men and the Elephant

Six Men Each Have a Different Experience When They Encounter an Elephant

Consider the fable of six blind men encountering an elephant for the first time.They have no comprehension of what an elephant is, forming their own understanding based on touch:

  • The first, feels the animal’s side and says that an elephant is like a wall
  • The second, feels the pachyderm’s legs, declaring it to be like a tree
  • The third, touches the animal’s tusks and visualizes a spear.
  • The fourth, experiences the flick of the elephant’s tail, envisaging the animal like a rope
  • The fifth, encounters the mammal’s ears, stating that an elephant is like a blanket.
  • The sixth is touched by the curious animal’s trunk, thinking the elephant is snake-like.

Yes, an elephant is like a wall, a tree, a spear, a rope, a blanket, and a snake. Each is correct, but it’s also incomplete. Even putting them all together provides only are partial caricature of an elephant.

In the same way our word pictures for God as a potter, vine, hen, shepherd, master, father, friend, and lover are also correct, but these are even more incomplete.

Therefore, when we put them all together, we are provided with only are partial caricature of God and our relationship to him.

Nevertheless, these word pictures do allow us to perceive him more fully than before.

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

God as our Groom

We Are the Bride of Christ

The final word picture to help us better understand God, is perhaps the most startling and difficult to comprehend, even shocking.

In this word picture, we consider him as the groom (the Bible often uses the word “bridegroom”) and us as his bride. As followers of Jesus, that is, the Christ, we are even called “the bride of Christ.”

With us betrothed to him, we see a relationship filled with spiritual intimacy and ecstasy. In short, we are lovers.

This may be a difficult image to comprehend or even consider, but it is the desire and longing of God to be in a close, personal relationship with us.

How awesome is that?

[See Isaiah 62:5, Jeremiah 2:2, Revelation 19:7, 2 Corinthians, and Revelation 22:17.]

Read more in Peter’s devotional Bible study, A New Heaven and a New Earth: 40 Practical Insights from John’s Book of Revelation.

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

Are You in Debt?

The Debt of Love

The Bible says, “Let no debt remain outstanding.” That is sage advice for any time, but especially in these troubled economic conditions.

Debt, in general, and bad debt, specifically, has gotten our economy into trouble, threatening to hold us down for the long term.

However, that’s not really what this verse is talking about. You see, I stopped too soon. Had I continued, I would have read, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.”

Wow, that puts things in a different perspective. Do you have a debt of love? That is one debt that can never be repaid. We can—and should—be making regular payments, but paying it off is never truly possible.

We “owe” love to each other. Let’s make sure that paying back that debt—every day.

[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Romans 11-13, and today’s post is on Romans 13:8.]

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: Fireproof

Reviewed by Peter DeHaan

Fireproof is a compelling drama with a powerful message that is sure to grab your attention and give you something to ponder for your love relationship.

Fireman Caleb Holt (Kirk Cameron) lives by the mantra “Never leave your partner behind”—at least at work.  For his marriage partner it’s a different story. 

After seven years, he’s ready to give up on her and she’s had it with him. Still he has a glimmer of hope.

At the encouragement of his father, Caleb agrees to make a last ditch effort to save his marriage. 

Reluctantly he agrees to take the “Love Dare,” a 40 day effort to show that he cares and wants to change. Will that be enough or is it too little, too late?

[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.