Category: Bible

Posts from The Bible Blog, by Peter DeHaan

Bible

Karma

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date October 3, 2008

It is a sort of universal law of cause and effect.

There is a seemingly karma-like verse in the Bible, which appears to paraphrase this idea. It says, “You reap what you sow.”

However, in looking at the text preceding it, we see that the premise behind this concept is not a universal law, but rather a just God who will not let the unjust forever get off scot-free or the righteous not eventually be rewarded.

In the Amplified version expands on this nicely, allowing the fuller impact of the original language to be felt:

“Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.” [Galatians 6:7]

So what at first glance appeared to be a restatement of karma is really the reflection of the character of a God who is fair and just.

A lifelong student of the Bible, Peter DeHaan, PhD, wrote the 1,000-page website ABibleADay.com to encourage people to explore the Bible. His main blog and many books urge Christians to push past the status quo and reconsider how they practice their faith in every area of their lives.

Tags karma

Bible

A Little Bit of Yeast

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date October 2, 2008

I did a word study on the usage of yeast in the Bible. Here is what I found:

Yeast is used symbolically to represent influence, usually negatively. Just as a little bit of yeast, permeates dough and produces a noticeable result, so to does influence, be it good or bad.

The Bible contains many references to not using yeast in various religious practices, which symbolically shows the removal of sin.
Paul compares false teaching to yeast.
Another negative connotation is when Jesus says, beware of the yeast of the Pharisees (which is hypocrisy) and also the Sadducees and Herod.
In seemingly the only positive usage of yeast in the Bible, Jesus says that the Kingdom of God (that is, the Kingdom of Heaven) is like yeast.
In a final reference to yeast Paul uses it as a metaphor for boasting. Paul talks about getting rid of bread with old yeast (malice and wickedness) and using new bread without yeast (sincerity and truth).

[Check out where these references to yeast are found.]

Tags Jesus, Paul

Bible

By Law or By Faith

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 30, 2008

In what initially seems to be shocking statement, Jesus says that if we want to have eternal life, we must follow the commandments in the Old Testament (Matthew 19:17).

Of course, this is impossible, because if we break even one law, one time, we are found guilty and therefore separated from God. Clearly, following rules is not the solution.

So what is? The realistic answer is that we need to turn from our wrong-doing and follow Jesus by faith, who took the hit for our law-breaking, making us right with God. Even Abraham, was made right with God through his faith, not by following a bunch of rules (Galatians 3:6).

For further contemplation, this contrast between the law (following rules) and faith (following Jesus) is expanded upon and explained in greater detail in Galatians 3, especially verses 10-11,19, and 21-22. Also see Ephesians 2:8.

Tags Abraham, faith, Jesus

Bible

Raised From the Dead

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 25, 2008

When Jesus died, many dead people can to life. This is a literal, physical event that Matthew documented (Matthew 27:52-53).

This can also be understood and applied on a figurative or symbolic basis, in that for all who follow Jesus: We came alive when Jesus died. This is a new, spiritual, eternal life.

In short, Jesus died so that we may live.

[Read more about Jesus.]

Tags eternity, Jesus

Bible

A Different Prescription For Prayer

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 16, 2008

In Matthew 20, Jesus shares a parable, predicts his death, teaches about serving, and heals two blind men. Nowhere does he mention prayer, yet in this chapter I see two insights about prayer.

First, the mother of James and John makes a request of Jesus (Matthew 20:20-22). She asks if her sons can be given places of honor, sitting on Jesus’ left and right. Jesus’ response is, “You don’t know what you are asking!”

I suspect that many of our prayers evoke the same response, “You don’t know what you are asking.”

Just as James and John’s mother did not have a right understanding of Jesus’ purpose and intent, missing God’s perspective, so to, we often miss God’s intent and fail to see his perspective. As such our prayers are off base, asking for the wrong things, which are inconsequential.

In the account of the blind men being healed (Matthew 20:29-34), the men boldly call out for Jesus to have mercy on them. When Jesus hears them, he asks, “What do you want?”

They have already asked for mercy, but Jesus wants them to be specific. As soon as they ask to see, he gives them their sight.

How often do we make a general request for God’s blessing, mercy, or grace? These are vague, non-expectant petitions. When making such a plea, how can we ever realize the answers? When our requests are specific, the answers become obvious — and praiseworthy.

So, when we pray, it should be specific and it should be with God’s perspective in mind.

Tags grace, Jesus, mercy, parable, prayer

Bible

“Your Sins Are Forgiven”

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 12, 2008

There is an account of Jesus, when a paralyzed man seeks to be healed. In a surprise move, Jesus confounds everybody by forgiving the man’s sins! Jesus had realized that this man’s greatest need was not physical, but spiritual, so he addressed that first.

Knowing that it is much easier to say “your sins are forgiven” than to make a lame man walk, Jesus then healed the man (thereby proving he had the power to forgive sins) and addressed the man’s second greatest need.

In doing so, Jesus shows that he came not only to save (forgive our sins), but also to heal.

[Matthew 9:2-8, Mark 2:2-12, and Luke 5:18-26]

Tags forgive, Jesus

Bible

Traditions Have Their Place

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 8, 2008

In Matthew 15:3-7, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for placing their traditions ahead of God’s commands. From our perspective, in a different time and culture, it is easy for us to see their error. However, we likely do the same type of thing and are blind to it.

What might some of those traditions be?

Certainly a lot of what happens at many church services today are based more on tradition than command.

While many of those traditions have a solid basis or are good for us to follow, it is all too easy for our man-made traditions to take on more importance or priority than is wise or warranted. If our traditions distract us from following and serving Jesus, then it is time to set them aside.

What traditions have you placed too high of emphasis?

Tags church, Jesus, tradition

Bible

Praise God or Fear God?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date September 2, 2008

After Jesus performs a miracle — healing a paralytic man (see Matthew 9:2-8) — the people were fearful of God, yet full of praise at the same time (this precise wording is not apparent in all translations — see the New Living Translation or the Amplified Bible).

Although it seems like a paradox to simultaneously fear God and praise him, perhaps this is a view we should adopt.

Yes, there are reasons to fear him, but they must be carefully balanced with praising him. It may be in the midst of that balance that we are able to best connect with him.

Tags Jesus, miracle, paradox

Bible

What Are You Afraid Of?

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date August 28, 2008

Jesus is sleeping in a boat; the disciples are crossing the lake. A major strong whips up and the disciples are overwhelmed—remember that several of them were fishermen, so it must have been a bad one to scare them.

In a panic, they wake up Jesus.

He says, “You have little faith; why are you so afraid?” (Matthew 8:23-27).

Upon contemplation, this question of Jesus is eye opening.

Jesus implies that fear is a symptom of faithlessness. Conversely, if we have faith, there should be no reason to fear.

When we have fears—and we all do—we need to, in faith, give them to Jesus and trust him to take care of us.

Tags faith, Jesus

Bible

When You Give, Pray, and Fast

Post author By Peter DeHaan
Post date August 26, 2008

In the book of Matthew, chapter 6, there is a word that is interestingly repeated by Jesus. It is the word when:

“When you give to the needy…” (Matthew 6:2).
“When you pray…” (Matthew 6:5 and 7).
“When you fast…” (Matthew 6:16).

Notice that Jesus doesn’t say if you give, if you pray, or if you fast.

It seems that Jesus is telling us that giving, praying, and fasting aren’t options, but expectations.

Tags fasting, Jesus, prayer