The Don Johnson Show Archives
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.
Discussion with Henri of the Baha’i Faith
The Don Johnson Show, 11-22-13 Don talks with caller Henri, a convert to the Baha'i religion.
Why Atheist Sunday Assemblies are More like Some Churches than Christians Want to Admit
The Don Johnson Show, 11-15-13 Don and Brandon discuss some ways to find an accurate interpretation of the Bible and Don finds some parallels between the "atheist church" movement and some Christian approaches to gathering on Sundays.
God, Parking Tickets, and Dogmatic Pastors who Don’t Like Dogmatism
The Don Johnson Show, 11-8-13 Don and Brandon share some personal stories from the last week and discuss how they relate to our view of God.
The Radical Sexual Ethics of Jesus
November 1, 2013 Don and Brandon discuss John's Fugelsang's defense of Jesus in a debate with atheist Jamie Kilstein. They argue that Jesus was a radical teacher in regards to sexual ethics, but not in the way that Fugelsang suggested.
The Difference Between Leisure and Mindless Entertainment
The Don Johnson Show, 10-25-13 Don and Brandon answer listener emails regarding: Whether or not God placed individual species of animals around the world all at one time. What it looks like to strive after the good, true, and beautiful and whether or not that means...
Is Niagara Falls Evidence Against the Existence of God?
The Don Johnson Show, 10-18-13 Don and Brandon discuss comedian Jamie Kilstein's experience of becoming an atheist based on discovering how Niagara Falls was formed.
From Heartbreak to Joy
The Don Johnson Show, 10-11-13 Don and Brandon talk about the latest developments in the Ridley's ongoing struggle to adopt their son.
Is God a Sociopath?
The Don Johnson Show, 10-4-13 The Don Johnson Show, 10-4-13 Don and Brandon discuss comedian Jamie Kilstein's assertion that if God exists, he is a sociopath.
Louis CK on Dealing with That Forever Empty Feeling
The Don Johnson Show 9-27-13 Don and Brandon discuss a very interesting interview from The Conan O'Brien Show. Louis CK explains how sometimes people should just get quiet and cry out in despair because of the fact that life is "all for nothing and you're alone."...
Discussion with Atheist Blogger and Author Bob Seidensticker
The Don Johnson Show, 9-19-13 Don talks with Bob Seidensticker, a popular atheist blogger at Patheos. Bob is also the author of Cross Examined: An Unconventional Spiritual Journey and Future Hype: The Myths of Technology Change.
The Loneliest Man at the Funeral: A Discussion with Aaron the Atheist
The Don Johnson Show, 9-17-13 Don talks with caller Aaron about "the atheist dilemma": what are we to do with the universal human desire for the transcendent?
The Atheist Quaker who Longs for More
The Don Johnson Show, 9-13-13 Don and Brandon talk about last week's caller, Don's new book, and a very interesting article by Nat Case, an atheist Quaker who still hasn't found what he is looking for.
Discussion with Brett the Atheist
The Don Johnson Show, 9-6-13 Don talks worldviews with caller Brett from New York.
Not the Real Thing
The Don Johnson Show, 8-30-13 Would people still take vacations if they didn't get to post pictures of their adventures on facebook? In this episode, Don and Brandon discuss that and more, including Don's new book How to Talk to a Skeptic: An Easy to Follow Guide to...
Science and the Light of Faith
The Don Johnson Show, 7-19-13 Does the scientific method tell us all there is to know about the world? In tackling this issue Don and Brandon discuss an article by Barbara Forrest and refer to the new encyclical from Pope Francis.
Living like Animals
The Don Johnson Show, 7-12-13 Don and Brandon discuss sexual ethics in light of what it means to be created in the image of God. They note that God made us with the ability to love, but we have largely chosen to squander that gift and live like animals, slaves to our...
The Brutal Logic of Abortion
The Don Johnson Show, 5-2-13 Don comments on the Kermit Gosnell case. Some links to go with the show: Why Gosnell's Trial Should be a Front Page Story From Roe to Gosnell Gosnell Worker: Baby Surviving Abortion Struggled in Toilet Trying to Live The Lethal Logic...
Terrorism and the Search for Meaning
The Don Johnson Show, 4-29-13 Don discusses the idea that the Boston Marathon bombers may have been motivated to become Islamists because it provided their life some meaning. He analyzes the various ways people respond to the void we all feel in our hearts. Some links...
Discussion with Naturalist Matthew Ferguson Part 2
The Don Johnson Show, 4-5-13 Don compares worldviews with metaphysical naturalist blogger Matthew Ferguson, a doctoral student at UC Irvine. In this part of the conversation, Don and Matthew discuss science and miracles. Some links to go with the show: Miracles...
Discussion with Naturalist Matthew Ferguson Part 1
The Don Johnson Show, 4-5-13 Don compares worldviews with metaphysical naturalist blogger Matthew Ferguson, a doctoral student at UC Irvine. In this part of the conversation, Don and Matthew discuss the "mind-body" problem faced by reductionistic materialism. Some...
Interview with Rick Schenker of Ratio Christi
The Don Johnson Show, 2-1-13 Rick Schenker is President and CEO of Ratio Christi, a campus-based Christian apologetics organization that is taking off around the world. Don talks to Rick about the ministry and how you can be involved.
Should Christians Stay Quietly in the Shadows?
The Don Johnson Show, 1-21-13 This week contained many culturally controversial events: President Obama was inaugurated on Monday, which was also Martin Luther King Day, and Tuesday was the 40th anniversary of the Roe vs. Wade decision. Don and Brandon discuss how...
God’s Desire to be Present with his People
The Don Johnson Show, 1-7-13 Corinna Nicalou is going to visit every church in her area in order to understand religion better and perhaps find God. Don and Brandon discuss her quest and take issue with some advice Corinna has received from Christians on her blog.
Interview with J. Warner Wallace about Cold Case Christianity
The Don Johnson Show, 1-4-13 Don interviews J. Warner Wallace about his new book Cold Case Christianity. Wallace is an L.A. County homicide detective and former atheist who examined the evidence for the claims of Christianity and was convinced they were true. In his...
The Problem of Providence
The Don Johnson Show, 12-24-12 Atheist Stephen Marche explains why seemingly miraculous events left his stomach in knots and why he was so relieved to see that bad things still happen. In discussing this article, Don and Brandon reference other apparent acts of God,...
Why Hume was Wrong about Miracles
The Don Johnson Show, 12-17-12 How the Christmas story shows God's response to the evil in Newtown. For further reference see articles by Ross Douthat, Albert Mohler, Russell Moore, and Ravi Zacharias. Is it better to hold to vague and false doctrine or be openly...
Truth, Tolerance, and the Argument from Miracles
The Don Johnson Show, 12-3-12 Don and Brandon answer listener emails and address a wide variety of topics, including: Why truth is best transmitted person to person. The Universalist who is intolerant of evangelicals. The evangelicals who are intolerant of...
Why Christians Must Not Abandon the Culture War
The Don Johnson Show, 11-9-12 Don and Brandon discuss several issues relating to the election, including the notion that Christians should stay away from divisive political issues. Some articles that go with the show: Rights Talk Run Amok Square None Irrepressible...
On Prayer, Politics, and Freedom
The Don Johnson Show, 11-2-12 Listener Josh asks, "Why does prayer work? If God always does what is best anyway, why would he take our prayers into account when acting?" How should the Christian think about politics? Don and Brandon discuss the relationship between...
Trusting God in the Midst of Heartbreak
The Don Johnson Show, 10-26-12 Brandon talks about having to give up his adopted son and how that has affected his faith.
Why Some Pastors won’t Speak the Truth and Why Some Skeptics Reject It
The Don Johnson Show, 10-19-12 Don talks about evangelical pastors that refuse to address social issues like abortion and wonders if perhaps they are not preaching the gospel either. Along the way he mentions Herb Schlossberg's article on how Great Awakenings happen....
Yes, Carrie Underwood, Christianity is about Setting Rules
The Don Johnson Show, 9-28-12 Carrie Underwood has switched to a more liberal church because she doesn't think Christianity is about setting rules and telling people that they should be like her. During this discussion, Don quotes from this article by Brent Bozell....
Answering “If God was Real” Objections to Christianity
The Don Johnson Show, 9-21-12 Don and Brandon discuss last week's show with Wesley and answer a listener question about why Christianity isn't spread more equally around the globe.
Discussion with Wesley the Atheist Ex-Pastor, Part 2
The Don Johnson Show, 9-9-12 Don talks with atheist caller Wesley. Wesley grew up Christian and attended Dallas Baptist University and Dallas Theological Seminary, receiving a B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy. He then worked as a pastor for several years before giving up...
Discussion with Wesley the Atheist Ex-Pastor, Part 1
The Don Johnson Show, 9-9-12 Don talks with atheist caller Wesley. Wesley grew up Christian and attended Dallas Baptist University and Dallas Theological Seminary, receiving a B.A and M.A. in Philosophy. He then worked as a pastor for several years before giving up...
Mistaking Disneyland for the Real World
The Don Johnson Show, 9-6-12 Don and Brandon discuss the relationship between this world and the next, using Don's trip to Sequoia National Park as an illustration. Some more articles demonstrating an abject refusal to acknowledge the truth when it comes to abortion...
Why Homosexuality is Not Just Another Sin
The Don Johnson Show, 8-10-12 Don and Brandon discuss several issues relating to the recent Chick Fil A brouhaha, including the idea that Christians overemphasize homosexuality.
Dan Savage’s Rank Hypocrisy, President Obama’s Weak Theology, and Bill Maher’s Illusory Superiority
The Don Johnson Show, 5-14-12 Don and Brandon wonder if Dan Savage works for the Ministry of Tolerance. They also discuss President Obama's interpretation of the Golden Rule to support gay marriage, referencing great articles by Denny Burk and Francis Beckwith along...
Discussion with Fahran the ex-Muslim Agnostic
The Don Johnson Show, 4-30-12 Don and Brandon talk with Farhan Qureshi of beliefrevision.com. Farhan is an ex-Muslim who now is part of a Unitarian Universalist congregation. He describes himself as a truth seeker, a free thinker, an agnostic theist, a relativist, a...
Imagine there’s No Heaven, or at Least Make Sure You Pass the Doctrine Test to Get In
The Don Johnson Show, 4-28-12 Why do most church kids drop their Christianity in college? David Kinnaman and Vishal Mangalwadi offer answers. Did C.S. Lewis miss out on Heaven because he failed the doctrine test at the pearly gates? John Robbins seems to think so. Don...
Why Christianity is more Reasonable and Scientific than Atheism
Don Johnson Show, 4-2-12 Atheists like to present themselves as lovers of reason and science on a crusade to expose the irrationality and superstitious tendencies of religious believers. Don and Brandon spend the show examining this claim. Along the way they read a...
Conversation with Bill the Naturalist
The Don Johnson Show, 3-21-11 Don and Brandon talk with Bill, an atheist caller from Virginia. In a discussion that ranges from bears to objective morality, each man presents and defends some evidences for their worldview.
Religion for Atheists and Promiscuity for Everyone
Don Johnson Show, 3-19-12 An Orange County billboard claims atheists make better lovers because they don't have to worry about anybody watching. What is the actual message here and does it stand up to scrutiny? The New York Times' David Brooks reviews Alain de...
The Pastor that Rejected Christianity
The Don Johnson Show, 3-15-12 Don talks with Wes, a secular humanist chaplain. Wes recently rejected Christianity after 10 years as an evangelical pastor. He has a B.A. in Biblical Studies with a minor in philosophy from Dallas Baptist University and an M.A. in...
Naturalism, Morality, and Free Will
The Don Johnson Show, 3-9-12 Scott from Oregon calls in to talk to Don and Brandon about a naturalistic framework for morality that he finds reasonable. The discussion focuses largely on free will and includes references to the new book by Sam Harris of that title.
An Atheist’s View of Heaven
The Don Johnson Show, 11-28-11 Don and Brandon talk with Emery Wang of the A Christian and an Atheist podcast. Emery called in to talk about heaven, specifically his article about why there won't be any flowers there.
The Jesus Myth?
The Don Johnson Show, 11-7-11 Did the gospel writers never intend for Jesus to be taken as a literal historical figure? Is Jesus a mythical character on par with Harry Potter? Don and Brandon answer these questions and briefly discuss the previous show about Taoism.
Does Taoism Have a Better Answer to the Problem of Evil than Christianity?
The Don Johnson Show, 10-26-11 David Moser calls into the program from Beijing, China to talk about how Taoism deals with the issues of pain, suffering, and evil in the world. Mr. Moser is the Academic Director at Capital Normal University in Beijing. He holds a...
Universalism and the Story of God
The Don Johnson Show, 10-3-11 Which side of the abortion debate relies on science, reason, and evidence to support its positions and which side uses nothing but metaphysical abstractions and emotional appeals? Don and Brandon discuss articles by Stanley Fish, Deborah...