Reflections and meditations about the Bible by Peter DeHaan, PhD.
Question: What Are All the Strange Reference Notations in the Bible? Answer: The reference notations in the Bible (such as Romans 3:23) are analogous to line numbers assigned to a Shakespearean play; they serve as a study aid. Since the Bible is much longer and more complex, its reference notations are more involved. The Bible […]
Question: What Version or Translation of the Bible Should I Use? Answer: Although some people are adamant that a specific version of the Bible is the only one to use, this is a limited perspective that only discourages people from reading and studying the Bible. You should select a version that is meaningful to you […]
Question: What If I Don’t Have a Bible? Answer: You can buy a Bible from almost any bookstore as well as online. If you can’t afford one, many churches and parachurch organizations will give you one. However, since you have Internet access, why not just do your Bible reading and studying online? BibleGateway.com allows you […]
Question: Where Should I Start When Reading the Bible? Answer: In general, any Bible reading is better than no Bible reading. Probably, the least effective way to read the Bible is to start on page 1 and read straight through to the end. The different sections, or books, of the Bible are grouped by category […]
Question: When Is the Best Time to Read the Bible? Answer: There is no specific best time to read the Bible. The ideal time for you to study the Bible is whenever you are going to be able to give it your full attention, focusing on it, blocking out distractions, and not rushing to finish. […]
Question: Why Should I Read the Bible Every Day? Answer: Just as we eat regularly to maintain our physical health, regular Bible reading helps keep us on track and healthy in a spiritual sense. Just as it would be ludicrous to eat a big meal on Sunday and expect it to hold us for a […]
Question: What Are the Basics about the Bible? Answer: The Bible is actually a collection of books, written by various authors over a period of several hundred years. Think of the Bible as a diverse anthology of godly communication to us. It contains historic accounts, poetry, letters of instruction and encouragement, messages from God sent […]
The prophet Amos had some condemning words for the people of Israel. Through Amos, God unleashed a lament against his chosen people. He says he despises their religious festivals, and their assemblies are a stench to him. Yeah, I get that. Those people sure rebelled against God. They deserved his stern rebuke. They went through […]
Manmade Gods Can’t Save You The prophet Habakkuk, like many Old Testament mouthpieces for God, talked about the folly of a person who fashioned an object and then turned around to worship it. In essence, these ancient people would make something less them themselves and then revere it as something more. They would turn a […]
Yesterday was Christmas, a time to celebrate Jesus. Many people went to church to acknowledge the Christ behind Christmas and even more celebrated Jesus in other ways. For my family, the day marked the last of four celebrations. Now Christmas is over. We put it behind us for another year. Yet long ago, Isaiah looked […]