How to Talk to a Skeptic
Don Johnson’s new book teaches you to find Jesus
in your apologetics San Jose Christian College alumnus, Don Johnson (’97) recently released his first book, How to Talk to a Skeptic. Te easy-to-follow guide is a natural tool for conversation and effective apologetics. Johnson focuses on the assumptions from both sides of a conversation, allowing both participants to see how Jesus fits inside their own story. Johnson is an evangelist and host of the “Don Johnson Show” in Los Angeles. We caught up with him in L.A.
JM: There are so many Christian Apologetic books available, why write a how-to book?
DJ: I had a friend working at a local conference in LA invite me to do a workshop on how to talk to an atheist. Tey put me into a small room, maybe because they didn’t expect a big turnout. Te workshop started and the room was packed. We hit a vein. I started doing more conferences and workshops, printing notes and pamphlets and knew I had something here.
JM: What is your favorite chapter ?
DJ: Te book divides into different sections. Te first sets up a conversation to determine your goals. How are you thinking about the subject? A lot of times, we go into a conversation with our own goals. I’ve spent 15 years trying to get people to rethink how to
You can find Don Johnson’s book How to Talk to a Skeptic on
Amazon.com or on his website at
donjohnsonministries.org
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approach these conversations. We often present the gospel with the “this is what Jesus is going to do for you” mindset.
Te second section is what skeptics need to know about God. It’s not just that people have ideas, it’s that a lot of times, they have bad ideas or misinformation about who God is and what He’s doing. Christians enter in and don’t explain or debate it. No matter what, they don’t address misconceptions skeptics might have. Tey don’t take the time to share the whole story.
JM: Do you think that’s why there’s so much hostility towards Christianity?
DJ: I don’t know. Tat’s a tough question. Te third section of the book is about the reason why people decide not to believe. Tere are all sorts of reasons. On the surface, it’s an intellectual reason. Beneath the surface, there are deeper issues and people get hurt. Tose things drive anti-Christianity or anti- religious feelings. Tere is something else we draw people into: God’s love.
A Youth Worker’s
Commentary on James Les Christie (D.Min. and Youth Ministry Department Chair) is celebrating his sixteenth book, A Youth Worker’s Commentary on James. Co-authored with David Nystrom and published by Zondervan in September 2013, the new commentary is for youth workers, ministry volunteers and everyday people who want to explore the deeper issues of the Book of James. Te entire NIV biblical text is printed beside the rich and readable exploration of this book. It includes dozens of word studies, with fascinating historical accounts and personal stories, followed by a large section of thought- provoking questions to get anyone to start thinking and talking.
Christie was also awarded the Pioneers Award from the Association of Youth Ministry Educators (AYME) for a commitment to personal and professional growth, setting the course of youth ministry education and promoting a timeless Kingdom vision. AYME is an organization to serve and support those that teach youth ministry workers at an undergraduate and graduate level.
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