Reflections and meditations about the Bible by Peter DeHaan, PhD.
God not only speaks to us through audible words and inaudible words, but he communicates to us through images and scenes. These may happen in our waking hours or when asleep. God used a dream to show Joseph (son of Jacob) the future, with his parents and brothers bowing down to him. God also communicated […]
In addition to speaking to us in audible words, God can also communicate to us inaudibly, implanting his words into our minds through the work of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it’s instructions to do something, as with Phillip in the desert and Peter at Antioch. In other instances, he reveals words for people to tell […]
Question: What is the Apocrypha? Answer: The word Apocrypha isn’t in the Bible. The Apocrypha is a group of Old Testament books that are not in all versions of the Bible, such as the current Protestant and Hebrew Bibles. They are, however, part of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox versions of the […]
God can speak to us in spoken words, just as he did in the Bible. Consider God’s affirmation of Jesus at his baptism and later at the transfiguration. God also spoke to Saul (Paul) at his conversion. In a less happy moment, God had a conversation with Adam and Eve, as he gave them their […]
With a knowing wink and a smile that was too practiced, the preacher said, “Hate the sin, but love the sinner.” This irritated me. I couldn’t tell if he was being snarky, condescending, or wise. How can we truly separate the deed from its doer? Should we even try to make the distinction? After all, […]
Question: Which Gospel Should I Read First? Answer: The Bible contains four accounts of the life of Jesus, called Gospels. Each one has its own strengths: Matthew The Gospel written by Matthew does much to connect Jewish history and understanding to the life of Jesus. It is great as a bridge from the Old to […]
Question: What is a Lectionary? Answer: A lectionary is a methodical Bible reading plan that covers the entire Bible in a set time. By definition, our Bible reading plans are lectionaries. A common and popular lectionary is the Revised Common Lectionary, which is a three-year plan. In it, each day’s reading covers three or four […]
Question: What If I Don’t Understand Everything I Read in the Bible? Answer: If you don’t understand everything you read in the Bible, then you are in good company. No one completely understands the entire Bible. Instead of getting frustrated or focusing on what you don’t understand, give your attention to what does make sense. […]
Question: What Does Prayer, Meditation, and Fasting Have To Do with Bible Reading? Answer: Prayer, meditation, and fasting (along reading the Bible) are spiritual disciplines. Spiritual disciplines draw us closer to God, deepen our understanding of who he is, and help make us into the men and women he desires us to become. Praying for […]
Question: What Is a Spiritual Discipline? Answer: A spiritual discipline draws us closer to God, deepens our understanding of who he is, and helps make us into the men and women he desires us to become. Spiritual disciplines are practices that we willingly pursue in response to the God who created us, saved us, and […]