Reimagining Our Sunday Traditions from a New Testament Perspective
Do you have a nagging feeling that something’s missing from your church experience?
You’re not alone. And it’s time to discover a better way.
Church-reform advocate and Bible scholar Peter DeHaan, PhD is a strong proponent of meaningful Christian community. In Jesus’s Broken Church, he uses Scripture to guide us into right practices and away from the off-track customs that most every church adheres to.
The problem is that today’s church follows an Old Testament model. We go to a building where we have professional clergy serve as our liaison between us and God. Then we pay for the whole thing with our tithes and offerings—just like Moses instructed.
But Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament. Through him we are the church, we are living stones. We don’t need to go to a building. As the church, we take it with us wherever we go. And we don’t need paid clergy either. Each of us serves as priests to one another. Or at least we should.
In Jesus’s Broken Church, you’ll discover:
How Jesus moves us from an Old Testament understanding to New Testament enlightenment
The early church’s approach to their meetings, which we neglect to follow today
Essential New Testament practices that are more important than song and sermon
Biblical ideas to inform the activities of our spiritual communities
Seven religious concepts that require reformation
If you happen to like how your church functions, then don’t buy this book. It will only make you mad. But if you sometimes leave your Sunday service feeling let down, that something is lacking and there must be more, then this book can guide you into a new direction.
Get your copy of Jesus’s Broken Church today to discover what’s missing and how to fix it.
Read more about this in Peter’s thought-provoking book, Jesus’s Broken Church, available in e-book, audiobook, paperback, and hardcover.
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.
Peter DeHaan and his wife did just that. They spent a year visiting a different Christian church every Sunday: Protestant mainline, evangelical, and charismatic; Roman Catholic too.
He visited a congregation just like yours. Count on it.
You’ll laugh. You’ll cringe. You’ll cry.
Church-reform proponent Peter DeHaan is a strong advocate of forming meaningful Christian community. And he shares his discerning journey of discovery to inspire ministers, members, and attendees to build personal connections that matter.
This isn’t a church-shopping romp or a mean-spirited critique. Peter doesn’t rip at today’s church. Instead he offers a gift of encouragement, hope, and insight to all of Jesus’s followers. Plus, he shares astute observations and makes spot-on suggestions.
Then build on the narrative of 52 Churches with the thought-provoking follow up: The52 Churches Workbook. In it, consider 200 challenging questions to grow your faith. Ideal for group discussion or individual introspection.
But that’s not all. Read more church encounters in More Than 52 Churches. Followed by TheMore Than 52 Churches Workbook. More experiences and more reflective considerations.
Read the 52 Churches Boxset for education, read it for entertainment, and read it for the vision gained only from visiting a diverse array of churches.
These books are ideal for ministry leaders, members, and spiritual seekers.
Get your copy of the 52 Churches Boxset to begin your own exploration of religious practices!
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.
95 Theses Reveals Our Past So We Can Reform Our Present
Five hundred years ago, Martin Luther’s supporters printed copies of his 95 theses and distributed them widely. The document essentially went viral.
Had Martin Luther lived today, his supporters might have taken to social media to get the word out. In doing so, 95 theses might have become 95 tweets.
Celebrate the five-hundred-year anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, when Martin Luther nailed his list of ninety-five concerns to the door of All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg on October 31, 1517.
Most Protestants Have Heard of Martin Luther, but They Know Little More
Discover what Luther said in his history-changing document that people talk about but have never read.
Learn what Luther’s ninety-five theses meant 500 years ago.
Understand the significance behind his work.
Explore how the ninety-five theses apply to us today.
Consider reformation as an ongoing effort.
Reassess your spiritual practices.
Martin Luther’s 95 Theses explains the meaning behind each of Luther’s ninety-five concerns. Then it updates the basic premise of each one, for today’s audience. 95 Theses concludes with a present-day list of ninety-five items for the modern church to consider.
The intent is not to criticize her but to encourage ongoing reforms.
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.
Answer: Throughout my life I’ve sat through thousands of sermons and most all of them talked about the men in the Bible. They ignored women or gave them a mere footnote in the message.
If a sermon was ever about a woman, the director of women’s ministry might have given it, or it popped up on Mother’s Day. And frankly we don’t need another sermon about the Proverbs 31 Woman. All the messages I’ve heard about her miss the point.
The women of the Bible deserve more attention, and I want to give it to them. There’s so much they can teach us.
Q 2: What drew you to the women in the Bible?
A: Women make up slightly more than half the people on our planet, yet we don’t talk about biblical women too much in church. That is to our shame and our discredit.
I desired to discover more about the women who appear in the Bible. I wanted to learn from them and share the insight that God gave me with others.
Q 3: In all due respect, how can a man write about women? What makes you qualified?
A: I’m glad you asked this question so that we can talk about it, but at the same time I wish it weren’t necessary. The short answer is that I believe God has given me a heart for women.
Obviously, I can’t understand everything women go through, but that doesn’t disqualify me from writing about them, to encourage and inspire others.
In researching and writing this book God gave me a curiosity to ask questions other people would skip, to seek to understand these women’s circumstances, and to draw lessons from their lives. I put all those insights in the book. The outcome is what matters.
Q 4: What was your intent in publishing this book? How do you expect people to use it?
A: My goal was to compile and provide the information for readers to use as they saw fit. Some have treated it as a devotional and others as a Bible study. I’ve heard from people who’ve bought it as a reference and were glad to have it.
One reader intended to read one chapter a day but couldn’t put it down and kept turning pages. She read it in a couple of days. Many have told me they kept reading, with the pledge to read “just one more chapter.”
I also hope small groups or classes will use it for a study or discussion guide.
Q 5: Is this book just for women, or can men read it too?
A: I wrote the book for everyone.
The fact that it’s about women, doesn’t mean it’s only for women. The truths it covers are universal, applying to both women and men.
Q 6: What did you learn about yourself as you worked on this book?
A: It seemed perfectly natural for me to write about women in the Bible, but I was surprised at how many people thought it was strange.
That may make me atypical, but I prefer to think of it as me having a little bit of God’s heart for the female half of his creation.
Q 7: What surprised you most when you researched this book?
A: The character of Mary Magdalene has taken a hit in recent years. But after studying what scripture says about her a different story unfolded.
Mary Magdalene was the one to carry the good news about the greatest event in the history of the world—Jesus’s resurrection of the dead—to the disciples.
God didn’t have a man do it, even those that’s what the society of the day expected and even demanded. This makes Mary Magdalene the first missionary for Jesus. Never forget that.
Q 8: Many people criticize the Bible for how it portrays women. Does this make God sexist?
A person who reads the Bible quickly without a discerning eye—or a person who has never read it at all—might claim that the Bible treats women badly or that God is sexist.
This, however, is far from the truth.
Remember that God created us in his image, male and female. When he finished, he pronounced it as “very good.”
Yes, the Bible reveals God to us, but the narrative takes place during a time when sin badly distorted what God had in mind for the human beings he made.
In this regard, the Bible reflects man’s mistakes, not God’s heart.
Q 9: Who is your favorite woman in the Bible? Why?
A: That’s such a great question. I have many favorites, so it’s hard to pick just one. Ruth is a longtime favorite because of her dedication to her mother-in-law and to God.
Esther is another cherished favorite for using her position to influence the king and save her people from an inevitable genocide. I also like Judge Deborah and Rahab in the Old Testament.
In the New Testament I especially appreciate Priscilla because she often received first billing over her husband.
And then there’s Rhoda. Her story, her faith, and her exuberance make me smile every time.
Q 10: Your subtitle is “The Victorious, the Victims, the Virtuous, and the Vicious.” Why did you select these words?
A: The overall arc in Women of the Bible is to celebrate the feminine half of God’s creation. This makes it natural to look at the victorious and the virtuous. But that’s not a complete picture.
Due to sin’s impact, some of them are victims. And there are a few who are just vicious.
This is a reminder that terrible behavior isn’t the sole domain of men. Women can fall into evil as well. That’s why we must all be vigilant, to protect ourselves from falling into their error.
Q 11: How many women does your book cover? Why did you include that many?
A: I cover 135 women in Women of the Bible. Most books about biblical women address only a handful, usually twelve or less. And that omits a lot of interesting women and ignores what we can learn from them.
Initially my goal was 100, but I quickly realized that wasn’t enough. Although I could’ve kept writing and gone beyond 135, at that point I covered what I felt was important.
To continue writing about some of the very obscure names that remained wouldn’t really add anything to the discussion. So, I stopped at 135.
Of course, that’s not to say there couldn’t be an expanded version of Women of the Bible in the future. An appendix in the book lists dozens more women I could add in the second edition—if there’s value in doing so.
Q 12: Will you write a counterpart to this book, Men of the Bible?
A: I’d never considered doing that, but some people have asked about it and one reader assumed I would.
So, there might one day be a book Men of the Bible.
Q 13: Will you be writing any more about women in the Bible?
A: I’m glad you asked. The answer is yes!
Women in the Bible is book one in the Bible Character Sketches Series. My next book in the series is Friends and Foes of Jesus. This looks at New Testament characters. Many of those in Women of the Bible will make a reappearance.
For them I offer new and expanded content. In this way their story continues. Then I repeat the process for a book about Old Testament characters: Old Testament Sinners and Saints. And I’m currently working on a sequel of sorts: More Old Testaments Sinners and Saints.
Beyond these, I have several more books planned for the Bible Character Sketches Series, such as prophets, priests, judges, kings and queens. And every book will include women.
Learn about other biblical women in Women of the Bible, available in e-book, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook.
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.
The first five books in the popular Dear Theophilus series are now available in a convenient e-book box set. This Dear Theophilus box set includes:
Dear Theophilus: A 40-Day Devotional Exploring the Life of Jesus through the Gospel of Luke
Dear Theophilus Acts: 40 Devotional Insights for Today’s Church
Dear Theophilus Isaiah: 40 Prophetic Insights about Jesus, Justice, and Gentiles
Dear Theophilus Minor Prophets: 40 Prophetic Teachings about Unfaithfulness, Punishment, and Hope
Dear Theophilus Job: 40 Insights About Moving from Despair to Deliverance
In Dear Theophilus Books 1–5: Exploring Luke, Acts, Isaiah, Job, and the Minor Prophets, lifetime student of the Bible and ABibleADay.com founder, Peter DeHaan, PhD., digs deep into the beloved Gospel of Luke to unearth 40 thought-provoking gems that can inform your beliefs and transform your life.
Next, he builds on that foundation by exploring 40 more jewels from the book of Acts.
Then, he examines Isaiah, the Minor Prophets, and the book of Job for 120 more nuggets of gold.
In this five-book box set treasure, you’ll discover:
The way Luke viewed God, and how his view might change your view
How Jesus’s followers in Acts met daily in people’s homes and public spaces, which ignited church growth
The parallels between the books of Isaiah and Revelation, about peace, woe, and salvation
The Minor Prophets’ place in the biblical timeline—because the Bible doesn’t list them chronologically
How the book of Job resembles a play and the way that can enlighten our understanding of suffering, Satan, and God’s sovereignty.
The Dear Theophilus series explores Scripture like you’ve never seen before. It’s part devotional, part bible study, and fully life changing.
Explore the powerful way the words of these books of the Bible can speak to you today, as you increase your understanding and grow in faith.
In Dear Theophilus Books 1–5, you’ll encounter eye-opening insights from passages you thought were familiar. Find fresh truths as you gain a broader appreciation of what the Bible says and how this ancient book is still relevant for us today.
Ideal for both individual and group study, these books includes Scripture references and questions inviting further discussion.
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.
Peter DeHaan’s latest book Dear Theophilus Job is now available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. It’s book five in the beloved Dear Theophilus series.
In Dear Theophilus Job you can explore the book of Job as if watching a movie, with the biblical text serving as our screenplay. It’s a fresh take on an ageless story, breathing new life into one of the Bible’s more perplexing tales.
Consider:
Do your eyes glaze over when you read the book of Job?
Are Job’s friends too pompous? Is God a bit aloof? Can you push through all the lengthy speeches? Does Satan have too much control over poor Job? If you cry “foul,” you’re not alone. It doesn’t seem fair.
Job doesn’t have to be boring, however. But to access its profound message requires adopting a fresh approach. It calls for pursuing a unique take to embrace this ancient story.
What if we read Job like a screenplay?
In Dear Theophilus, Job, founder of ABibleADay.com and lifetime student of the Bible Peter DeHaan, PhD, digs deep into the dialogue in the book of Job. By doing so he reveals heart-thumping drama, misguided do-gooders, and heretical notions about God that still exist today.
In Dear Theophilus, Job, you’ll discover:
That the book of Job resembles a play and how that can inform our understanding
How well-meaning people can misrepresent God
A glimpse into the heart of our Lord
That life isn’t fair, but God is
The way Job questions the Almighty and lives to talk about it
Part devotional. Part Bible study. No fluff. Totally life changing.
In book five of the Dear Theophilus series, you get all this and more: Thought-provoking insights about justice, mercy, and deliverance. God’s power, patience, and sovereignty. And don’t overlook the guile of evil Satan.
End with a greater appreciation of how the book of Job can inform your actions and attitudes today. May it change you and inspire you.
Buy Dear Theophilus Job today and move from despair to deliverance!
Discover more about Job in Peter’s book I Hope in Him: 40 Insights about Moving from Despair to Deliverance through the Life of Job. In it, we compare the text of Job to a modern screenplay.
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.
Want to learn more about the Gospel of Luke? Do you seek insights from the book of Acts?
Doctor Luke wrote the two powerful New Testament books of Luke and Acts, giving us a compelling one-two punch into better understanding the life of Jesus and the work of his followers.
Grow in your faith and deepen your understanding of Jesus and his church from these two amazing books in this special Dear Theophilus box set.
In Dear Theophilus, Dr Luke, lifetime student of the Bible and founder of ABibleADay.com, Peter DeHaan, PhD., digs deep into the beloved Gospel of Luke to unearth 40 thought-provoking gems that can inform your beliefs and transform your life. Then he builds on that foundation by exploring 40 more jewels from the book of Acts.
Part devotional. Part Bible study. Totally life changing. No fluff.
In this book, you’ll discover:
The way Luke viewed God, and how his view might change your view
The people who angered Jesus the most, why they frustrated him, and how this applies to us
The importance of community and getting along
The example to minister to each other, serve as priests, and tell others about Jesus.
The model of sharing life with other believers
In Dear Theophilus, Dr. Luke you’ll encounter eye-opening insights from passages you thought were familiar. Find fresh truths as you gain a broader appreciation of Luke’s biography of Jesus and the account of his followers as they formed the Christian church.
Ideal for both individual or group study, this book includes scripture references and questions inviting readers to go deeper.
Get Dear Theophilus, Dr Luke today to deepen your understanding of Jesus and his church.
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.
The More Than 52 Churches Workbook: Pursue Christian Community and Grow in Our Faith
You’ve read More Than 52 Churches. Now it’s time to
put thoughts into action. This workbook will guide you—if you dare let it.
Consider 175
thought-provoking questions to propel your faith forward. Discover how the
narrative of More Than 52 Churches can help inform your church community
and reform your spiritual journey.
Explore
the diversity of Jesus’s church and your essential role in it.
Expand
your perspectives of worshiping God and serving Jesus.
Extend
your faith practices to embrace a more holistic perspective of what it means to
truly follow Jesus.
Casual Christians
need not apply.
More Than 52
Churches gave us more faith
communities to consider and more faith practices to ponder. Now The More
Than 52 Churches Workbook provides gentle, but challenging, questions to
turn stimulating ideas into life-altering change.
Move
from spiritually passive to practical.
Transform
from self-satisfied to self-sacrificing.
Change
from a church consumer to a church champion.
Then contemplate the
three keys to becoming an engaging church and the essential role you play in
making that happen.
If you feel it’s time to move from the sidelines and get into the game, The More Than 52 Churches Workbook provides the plan to get you there.
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.
You may know about the prophet Jonah, the guy who
spent a three-day time-out in the belly of a large fish, but what about some of
the lesser-known prophets?
Do you know of Micah, Obadiah, or Malachi?
What about Nahum, Zephaniah, or Zechariah?
Oh, my! The list goes on. It’s enough to make our minds spin.
Rounding out these twelve Minor Prophets are Amos, Hosea,
Habakkuk, Haggai, and Joel.
The Bible includes the work of these twelve prophets who
carry the unfortunate label of minor. It’s not that their work isn’t
significant, it’s that their books are shorter.
If you’re like most people, you scarcely remember their
names, let alone having ever read their books in the Bible.
[Return to Me was originally published as Dear Theophilus, Minor Prophets.]
Learn more about all twelve of the Bible’s Minor Prophets in Peter’s book, Return to Me: 40 Prophetic Teachings about Unfaithfulness, Punishment, and Hope from the Minor Prophets
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.
Let the journey of discovery continue in this poignant sequel to 52 Churches. This time we take a wider swath as we visit more of Jesus’s churches. More variety. More cringe-worthy moments. And more of God at work.
Yes, you’ll get all this in More Than 52 Churches.
More education, more entertainment, and more insight.
Only you won’t have to endure the gut-churning apprehension
of walking into a different church each Sunday. Yuck! Instead experience the
journey vicariously week by week, church by church.
Join Peter and his wife as they bravely—some might say
naïvely—seek what God teaches as they engage with more local branches of
Jesus’s church.
More Than 52 Churches is ideal for anyone who leaves
church on Sunday (or left for good) wondering what went wrong.
More Than 52 Churches is an essential guide for church leaders, an insightful journey for church members, and a hopeful encouragement for church visitors.
If 52 Churches left you wanting more stories, More Than 52 Churches is sure to deliver.
More Than 52 Churches is an insightful journey for church members, an essential guide for church leaders, and a hopeful encouragement for church visitors.
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.
