Posts by Don Johnson
Why did Peter live and James die? Trusting Our Sovereign God
Acts 12 presents the first loss from the apostolic company, the death of James, brother of John, one of the “Sons of Thunder,” a member of the inner circle of the Lord’s disciples. At the same time, and from the same executioner, we find Peter delivered by the mighty hand of God. Why the difference?…
Read MoreWe Need More Pastors
A few years ago, George Barna published a study called “The State of Pastors.” The study revealed that the average age of pastors in 2017 is 54. “Only one in seven pastors is under 40, and half are over 55. The percentage of church leaders 65 and older has nearly tripled, meaning there are now…
Read MoreYou Have a New Pastor, Now What?
A friend of mine recently entered a new ministry. I don’t know the details of his move, or the history of the church, but the news sparked some thinking about churches and new pastors. My own ministry will face that prospect within the next decade, most likely. Sometimes churches and pastors struggle with the transition.…
Read MoreLove Thy Body – a review
Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality Nancy Pearcey Baker Books, 2018 Reviewed by Don Johnson. Nancy Pearcey’s work is a blessing for anyone who wants to evangelize among the people of modern Western culture. Love Thy Body provides an analysis of modern rationales that seem so inexplicable to conservatives of all…
Read MoreSmall Church Financial Stewardship
Last Sunday was our church’s Annual General Meeting. We always look forward to this meeting because, for us, it’s been a discipleship tool and a time of “body-building” among our members (the “church body,” I mean). I don’t recall ever really having much disagreement in these meetings, for which we praise God. We also take…
Read MoreWhat Is a Helpmeet?
What is a helpmeet? Or, for that matter, what is a helpmate? According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, “helpmate” is “altered from helpmeet.” It is called a “ghost word, from the Biblical translation of Latin adjutoriumsimile sibi [Gen. ii:18] as ‘an help meet (i.e. fit) for him’ (Hebrew ‘ezer keneghdo ), which already by 1673…
Read MoreNo More Prophets
A recent post by Dr. Bill Barrick brought up the topic of prophets and prophecy. Dr. Barrick’s theme is “The Authority of Scripture in the Book of Jeremiah.” The post is worth reading, I’d like to expand on a few points he raises at the end of the post. These days many Christians misunderstand prophecy.…
Read MoreBible Reading Schedules – 2019
It’s that time of year again. Time to select a Bible reading plan and get started once again. Here are some links to Bible reading plans we like: Three from the Discipleship Journal at the Navigators site: The 5x5x5: a plan for reading the New Testament in one year – if you aren’t in the…
Read MoreThe Importance of the Written Word for our Faith and Practice
The internet changed the topics I dip into. Some are more eclectic than others are. A recent e-zine I discovered has an article about the Incas of South America and their non-written language. The article comments on the success of the Incan empire without a written language. You will have to read, “How the Inkas…
Read MoreMarijuana – How a Christian Should Think
On October 17, the government of Canada legalized marijuana for recreational use. My purpose in this post is not to argue the political issue but to present Christian guidance under the new regime. I understand that marijuana is illegal federally in the United States, but it is legal in some states. Christians and churches need…
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