Biblical Reflections
The Need for a Few More Truth Tellers
Why we should expect to be scorned by the culture and never apologize for speaking truth.
Trump the Nietzschean and the Marks of a New Evangelist
Don talks about why we should be concerned about Donald Trump’s new pro-life views. He also discusses three characteristics of an effective new evangelist.
Why the Church is More Attractive When it Stands Against the Cultural Tide
The Don Johnson Show, October 16, 2015 On the day of the theatrical premiere of Convinced, Don talks to one of the film's stars, former Planned Parenthood director Abby Johnson. He also discusses a letter sent to the Synod on the Family by...
Mark Shea on Why the New Testament Writers are Trustworthy
Noah to Jesus: How the Flood Story Displays God’s Plan of Salvation
Just to clarify, the title of this post does not refer to the Noah movie. As I've stated elsewhere, I think the film is an unscriptural mess that disparages God's character and undermines the gospel. In other words, the movie makes God look bad and confuses distorts...
How the Noah Movie Distorts the Truth about God
Let’s get something out of the way up front. I think it is great that Hollywood is making biblically themed movies and it doesn’t bother me at all that they take liberties with the text. To make a film, they have to add some extra-biblical content. So I really don’t...
On the Good Samaritan, Malcolm Gladwell’s Faith, and a Book Atheists Need to Read
The Don Johnson Show, 2-7-14 Don and Brandon discuss the Good Samaritan parable, Malcolm Gladwell's return to faith, and Oliver Burkemans' appeal to atheists to be better informed about theology.
Petty Bureaucrats, Blaise Pascal, and the Paradox of the Human Condition
The Don Johnson Show, 1-10-14 Don and Brandon discuss the latest political scandal and the latest review of Don's new book.
God With Us
The Don Johnson Show, 12-13-13 What is Christmas all about? Don and Brandon talk about the meaning of the incarnation by surveying how Jesus was prefigured in the Old Testament.
Why He is Called Immanuel: The Story Behind the Story of Christmas
The LORD replied, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14) The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means, “God with us.” (Matthew 1:23) “Isn’t there anyone who knows what...
Two Keys for Persevering through Hardship
In my previous post I talked about how the Christian life will necessarily involve some pain and discomfort. In this article I will discuss two important measures we can take that will help us persevere through that hardship. Although these actions are basically two...
The Comfort Trap: Why Trying to Avoid Struggle and Hardship Can be Dangerous to Your Soul
The Christian life is a journey across the wilderness toward the Promised Land. Like the ancient Israelites on their way to Canaan, believers are sojourners looking forward to the day we will arrive safely at home in Heaven. It is not an easy trip. Many “dangers,...
On the Meaning of Love, Sex, Marriage, and Family
On the Meaning of Love, Sex, Marriage, and Family - Genesis 1 and 2 Don preaches about the relationship between one's family experience and belief in God. He examines what the creation accounts in Genesis tell us about what it means to be created in the image of God,...
Why He is Called the Lamb of God: The Story Behind the Story of Easter
In celebration of the Easter season, here is the pdf version of a little booklet I wrote a few years ago.
Why Wasn’t God More Concerned about Slavery in the Old Testament?
Skeptics often ask me why God wasn’t more concerned about slavery in the Old Testament. They suggest that God should have been a stronger advocate for freedom. The fact that he wasn't supposedly shows a) God is immoral or unfair and/or b) There is a disunity between...
Thanksgiving: The Antidote to Fear and Despair
Life is full of opportunities for despair. Hard times and tragedy hit (or you see them approaching) and it feels like the end has finally come. You've met your doom. There is just no way you're going to get through this one. That's a lie of Satan, of course, and there...
The Ultimate Invitation
Life is full of offers and invitations. Most are mundane: “Come to my kid’s birthday party;” “Attend the new Bond movie;” “Switch to Geico;” “Be a fan of my page on Facebook.” Others are monumental: “Accept this job promotion;” “Let’s get married!” No matter how big...
Beloved Sons: What Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph tell us about Jesus and what it Means to be Children of God
As I have written elsewhere, God is love and love produces family. God’s goal in creation, then, is family. He wants this family together in one place, working productively, joyfully reproducing generation after generation. That was the plan for Adam and Eve in the...