Reflections and meditations about the Bible by Peter DeHaan, PhD.
Do You Belong Here? The Bible sometimes calls the followers of Jesus, aliens*. This seems like a strange and insulting label. An alien is someone who doesn’t belong, an outsider.In common usage, an alien is from another country, but jumping to the world of sci-fi, an alien is from another world or alternate existence. Is […]
That statement catches many Christians (that is, followers of Jesus) off guard. It is easy to label Jesus, since he is the impetus for Christianity, as a Christian, even though his time spent on earth was as a Jew. Indeed, he was born a Jew, into a Jewish culture, and had a clear Jewish lineage. […]
The “Holy of Holies” (also called “the Most Holy Place” or “the Holiest of all”) was the innermost part of the tabernacle and later, the temple. It was so sacred that only the high priest could enter it and then only once a year. When Jesus died, the veil (which was very thick, more akin […]
In Genesis 18:10-15 we read the amazing story of Sarah being promised a son in her old age. When she hears this, she laughs—I would to; it seems preposterous. But for an all-powerful God, nothing is impossible. In fact God rhetorically asks Abraham (Sarah’s even older husband) “Is anything too hard for [me]?” Sarah’s laughter […]
Most people correctly understand that God is love. They then reason that out of love, he will unquestionably accept them as they are, welcoming them into heaven when they die. This is an oversimplification of his love. God is also just. His just nature requires that there be a punishment for the wrong things that […]
Discover How to Praise God I often say the word “bless.” In prayer, I frequently ask for God’s blessing on myself and others. In essence I am asking for God’s divine favor or grace to be imparted. Other times I have seen one person bless another by “conveying well-being or prosperity” to them. Sometimes this […]
Peter cried when he realized he had denied even knowing Jesus. [Mark 14:72] What makes this even more ironic is that earlier that same day he pledged his support to Jesus, claiming to be willing to die with him. [Mark 14:31] For most people, admitting that we “know” Jesus is a relatively easy thing to […]
Bibles in Magazine Format BiblezinesTM are the Bible in magazine format, with additional info and content packed in. For many who wonder if the Bible is relevant to them and their lives, this modern format with compelling sidebars, makes the Bible come alive in practical and vibrant ways. There are 11 Biblezine versions, geared towards […]
In Matthew 14:14-20 there is the dramatic account of Jesus’ s miracle to feed 5,000 people. This event is also recorded in Mark 6:31-44, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-14. The people have been with Jesus all day; they are hungry and without food. Jesus asks how much food is available; the report is merely five […]
The people of the nearby town who are told of this miracle have two ways to respond: First, in awe of Jesus’ power and authority, they could turn to him and follow him. Second, out of fear of the unknown and the uncomfortable, they could reject Jesus and push him away. They choose the later, […]