Jesus’s Broken Church: Reimagining Our Sunday Traditions from a New Testament Perspective

by Peter DeHaan

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.

172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2020

About the author

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity. He urges Christians to push past status quo faith and reexamine their spiritual practices.

Many people feel church let them down. Peter seeks to encourage them as they search for a place to belong.

He’s not afraid to ask tough questions. This sometimes makes religious people squirm, but he does this out of love to encourage them to become more of who God intends them to be.

Peter earned his doctorate from Trinity College of the Bible and Theological Seminary, awarded with high distinction.

Read more at https://www.peterdehaan.com/

Reviews

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s rare that I read a book I dislike as much as I disliked this one. In fact, the farther I read, the lower my rating. Here are some of the reasons.

1. It was repetitive. Each time it repeated a theme it just seemed like the persuasive strategy was to say it louder and more emphatically, rather than use a more persuasive argument.
2. The author makes a lot of negative generalizations about church and the way it’s done, and the anecdotes he provides as backup are often others agreeing with him. He provides few practical tips on how to make his philosophies work. For example, the author is emphatically, emphatically opposed to paying pastors and to churches owning buildings. But there is zero discussion on bivocational ministry (even lay leaders having responsibility that is unpaid) or all the setup and tear down work involved when using a building that does not belong to the church. If it works like he theorizes, give me some successful examples.
3. He contradicts himself often enough that it got annoying. Additionally, he has a lot of negative things to say about those with seminary educations and yet he holds a PhD from a seminary. He is for egalitarianism over leadership, but without examples this just feels like a rudderless church. And we have biblical examples of leadership and utilization of gifts in the church—but they author doesn’t mention them.
4. I disagree with him theologically on many points, and that is not enough to warrant a low rating. He quotes scripture that backs his position, rather than using scripture to lead the discussion. What’s more, there are some really obvious biblical examples that appear to be missing from the book because they don’t support his philosophy. (One example: Paul and Barnabas split, but that never came up in the discussion on unity.)
5. The author disregards some basic liturgical practices like sermons and music (which glorify God) and overemphasizes community (for the people; at one point he talked about giving people what they want, which sounds dangerously consumeristic to me) and unity.
6. A couple words (community, unity, encourage, I think there were at least a couple others) were used excessively, glorified, and touted as the ideal but never defined, never exegeted. I suspect it’s because either the author doesn’t know the etymology or it wasn’t useful to his arguments.

I feel kinda bad that this is one of the most scathing reviews I’ve ever given any book. But as I read it I just got more and more irritated. It doesn’t build the kingdom. It actually indicates to me that the author has a lot of unresolved hurt from the Church.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

DeHaan makes a number of good points that Christians, particularly churches, should reflect upon, particularly regarding the modern church "growth" model we often see today that emphasizes memberships, money, etc. I often liken it to churches keeping a box score and being obsessed with their own growth and numbers (money and attendance), rather than the spiritual growth and community. And he's spot on that sometimes this results in Christians who simply go every Sunday and think that's enough, when it's not, and that the modern church model can play into that. That said, I think DeHaan goes too far in his critiques - especially of music and the weekly gathering - and even the existence of traditional churches themselves. I think a better approach would be to advocate that churches use weekly services as a starting point, not an ending point, rather than suggesting they not occur at all. He also doesn't really explain in any depth his critique of the fact that churches often have divisions over doctrine. He seems to advocate that churches should simply try to get over those disagreements, no matter how deep they are. To me, doctrine is far more relevant to a church being broken than how often it meets, when it meets, whether it has memberships or not, etc. - even though those things matter, as well. Unity for unity's sake is not healthy. In summary, he raises a number of points that may challenge one's notions about church in a way that is worth thinking about, but I think he misses the mark in other ways. I also found it irriating that he was critical of those with a religious education background but then touts his own. Still worth a read - it's a quick read, I did it in two sittings - and a solid 3 stars.

[Anna Greta · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Courageous and Eye Opening Call to Rethink Church as We Know It

Jesus’s Broken Church is one of the most honest and necessary books I have read on the subject of modern Christian practice. Peter DeHaan approaches the topic with courage grace and deep love for the body of Christ. This is not a book meant to tear down but to awaken inspire and reimagine what true biblical community should look like.

From the first chapter I was drawn into a powerful exploration of how our current church traditions often differ from the model found in the New Testament. The questions Peter asks are direct and deeply thought provoking. Why do we do what we do on Sundays. Is the structure we have built truly reflecting the heart of Jesus. Have we become more focused on ritual than on relationship.

What I found most impactful was how Peter combines sharp insight with a genuine humility. He does not point fingers. Instead he invites every believer to take a closer look at Scripture and to rediscover the purpose behind our gathering our serving and our worship.

This book is for anyone who has ever felt disconnected from church but still deeply loves Jesus. It is for the faithful who are willing to ask hard questions and for leaders who long to guide their communities with greater authenticity.

If you are ready to reflect rethink and realign with the mission of Christ I highly recommend this book. Jesus’s Broken Church is not just a challenge. It is a hopeful vision for restoration.

[Joshua Frodsham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Much Needed Wake Up Call for the Modern Church

Jesus’s Broken Church is a bold and timely book that challenged me in the best possible way. Peter DeHaan speaks with honesty wisdom and love as he invites us to take a deeper look at what the church has become and how far it has drifted from its biblical foundation.

This book does not tear down the church. It calls it higher. It helped me realize how many of our current traditions are more rooted in culture than in Scripture. Peter’s writing is thoughtful and clear and his love for the church is evident in every chapter. He does not condemn but calls us to remember the original mission of Jesus and the early believers.

I appreciated how the book was full of practical insights without ever feeling heavy or academic. It made me reflect on my own role within the body of Christ and how I can contribute to building a church that truly reflects God’s heart.

Whether you are a church leader a longtime member or someone who has walked away in frustration this book offers fresh perspective and hope. It is not afraid to ask hard questions but it also leaves you with a renewed vision of what the church can be.

Highly recommended for anyone who believes the church still matters and wants to see it thrive with purpose and authenticity.

[Johnso Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect Jesus’s Broken Church to hit so close to home. Peter DeHaan writes with honesty, clarity, and genuine love for the church yet he isn’t afraid to ask hard questions. Why do we do things the way we do? Are our Sunday traditions truly biblical, or just comfortable routines we’ve never stopped to question?

This book felt like a wake-up call not in a judgmental way, but like a friend pulling you aside and saying, “Hey, we need to talk.” It made me reevaluate what church really means and how we’ve possibly strayed from its New Testament purpose. I especially appreciated the practical suggestions and reflective questions at the end of each chapter.

Whether you’re frustrated with church or deeply involved in it, this book will challenge and encourage you. Highly recommended for anyone serious about faith and community.

[Maris · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a pastor, I’ve read plenty of books on church reform and renewal but DeHaan’s Jesus’s Broken Church stands out for its grounded, Scripture-centered approach and pastoral tone. This isn’t a bitter critique. It’s a plea to reconsider what it means to be the church rather than simply attend one.

The questions raised about Sunday gatherings, leadership structure, and how we measure spiritual health are ones that many leaders feel but don’t often say out loud. DeHaan says them, clearly and humbly, with a heart for restoration, not destruction.

It won’t give you all the answers, but it will push you to ask better questions. Perfect for church boards, small groups, or pastors seeking fresh vision.

[Manuel Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve been struggling with organized church for years feeling like something was off, but unsure what or why. Jesus’s Broken Church put words to feelings I couldn’t express. It doesn’t bash the church or encourage walking away. Instead, it points us back to what church looked like in the New Testament: simple, relational, mission-focused.

DeHaan doesn’t pretend to have all the solutions, but he’s not afraid to name the problems. And he does it with grace, not bitterness. This book gave me hope that we can do church differently closer to Jesus’s vision.

If you’re wrestling with the gap between what the church is and what it could be, read this book. It’s honest, thoughtful, and ultimately hopeful.

[Jason A. Bibb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

This was a very well written, informative, and thought provoking book. To say I am glad to have read it is an understatement. I look forward to reading more of his books, as this is the first one I have read from Peter Dehann.

[Chrystie-Ann Tsuses · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesus's Broken Church provided me with a plan on how to correct my unbiblical practices within the body of Jesus Christ.
It's a great book to help you move forward in the way the Bible lays out for us to follow, as the house of God.

[Caleb Oguta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very informative bout what church really is

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short audio. I agree with so much of what he says about how church is run today especially the money in big mega churches. Ugh. I didn’t really like his style of presenting the information though.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a challenging, yet refreshing perspective, Peter points out the symbolic way that Jesus fulfilled everything from the old testiment: from the temple to sacrifice, from tithing to the necessity of clergy, from the fulfilling role of the Holy Spirit as a guiding presence to allowing us all equal access to God as was originally desired in the old testiment. Peter continues his convicting perspective by point out how, as a church, we should be following the new testament fulfillment of worshiping God as opposed to clinging on to outdated and unnecessary old testament practices.