Author Archive: Ian Johnson

I have been in Christ since 1991, and have been writing about the general subject area of this site since 1996. My less relevant qualifications are: B.S. (Chemistry) and B.A. (Linguistics), 1976, Wichita State University. M.S. (Biochemistry), 1982 (course work finished in 1980), Iowa State University; J.D., 1982, University of Iowa; M.A. (History), 1984, University of Iowa; plus one year of a History Ph.D. program, 1984-1985, University of Kansas. I was employed from 1991 to 2016 as a research paralegal in a firm that handled mostly complex civil litigation, including toxic tort litigation (in which I was always involved). That firm merged with a larger litigation firm in 2016, where I have been employed ever

Burning Cultural Bridges? Repentance and Paul in Athens, Acts 17:22-31

Ian Johnson February 20, 2022 1 Comment

Paul’s speech to the rulers of Athens in the Areopagus was a long exercise in deliberate irony, first building and then promptly burning cultural bridges. Paul did this to show them the folly of their deliberate ignorance of the true God.

A God who Speaks, Desire to have our own way, Eternity, Forgetting God, God Acts by Speaking, God is Love, God Never Stopped Speaking, God Speaks to Us, God's Existence and Nature, idolatry, Immanence, Refusing to hear, Rejecting God, Repentance, Sin, The Invisible God's Self-Existence, Truth and Falsehood, What is sin?

Areopagus, Athens, Christianity, cross-cultural evangelism, cultural bridges, Epicurean, evangelism, Greek philosophies, Greek religion, Idolatry, idols, Paul, repentance, sermon, Stoic, trial, unknown god, willful ignorance

Paul’s sermon at Pisidian Antioch places repentance in John the Baptist’s message, Acts 13:24

Ian Johnson February 13, 2022 1 Comment

Paul’s use of the word “repentance” in Antioch in Pisidia did not directly connect it with obedience. However, his references to the preaching of John the Baptist and to the contrast between Kings Saul and David implied this connection.

Changed treatment of each other, Repentance, Repentance versus Remorse

Acts 13, John the Baptist, King David, King Saul, obedience, Paul, repentance

God gave the Gentiles repentance, Acts 11:18

Ian Johnson February 6, 2022 2 Comments

When God gave the Holy Spirit to the Gentiles in Cornelius’ house, what this showed the Jewish believers was that God had given them repentance leading to life.

A God who Speaks, Divisions in the Church, God Acts by Speaking, Jew versus Gentile, Repentance, To live in unity

Acts 10, Acts 11:18, Cornelius, Gentile, God, Holy Spirit, Jew, Peter, repentance

Jesus came to give Israel repentance and remission, Acts 5:31

Ian Johnson January 30, 2022 3 Comments

In his second trial before the Sanhedrin, Peter declared that Jesus had come to give repentance and remission of sins to Israel and to give the Holy Spirit to those who obeyed. Repentance, forgiveness and obedience to the Spirit are tied together.

Repentance, Repentance versus Remorse

Acts 5, behavior, feeling sorry, forgive, forgiveness, Holy Spirit, obedience, obey, Peter, remission, remorse, repent, repentance, Sanhedrin, trial

Repentance and Earthly Consequences: the Consequences of David’s Sins–including Jesus

Ian Johnson December 22, 2021 2 Comments

Though God forgave David his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah, this sin had a traceable chain of earthly consequences which extends to the present and which includes the death of Christ on the cross.

Consequences, Discipline or Correction, forgiveness and mercy, God Never Stopped Speaking, God's sovereignty, Prophecy, Refusing to hear, Rejecting God, Repentance, Repentance versus Remorse, Sin, The Problem of Evil, Through his enemies, Trusting sight over God's words

Absalom, Adonijah, Amnon, Asa, Bathsheba, consequences, consequences of sins, cross, forgiveness, Israel, Jeconiah, Jehoiachin, Jeroboam, Jesus, Josiah, Judah, King David, Nathan, Rehoboam, sin, Solomon, Uriah

The Prophets Nathan and Gad Deal With King David in His Sins

Ian Johnson November 26, 2021 2 Comments

On both of the occasions when David is said to have sinned in his administration as king, God sent prophets to correct him. God corrected David’s great sin, the one involving Bathsheba and Uriah, by sending the prophet Nathan to confront him. By contrast, in the matter of the census David recognized he had sinned and asked God’s forgiveness as soon as the census was completed. The prophet Gad was sent to him not to bring him to repentance, but to give him a choice of public consequences for not honoring God in the census and instructions concerning how to rectify his error. David repented and was forgiven of both sins, but the first one nevertheless had severe long-term consequences.

A God who Speaks, Angels, Confession of Sin, Desire to have our own way, Events and Signs, Forgetting God, Free will, God Speaks to Us, Pride in accomplishments as our own, Prophecy, Sin, The Problem of Evil, To be in his image, To live in unity, What is sin?

adultery, atonement, atonement offering, Bathsheba, census, consequences, David, day of atonement, forgive, law of love, murder, pride, ransom, repentance, sin, Uriah

God Rejected King Saul, But Declared King David a Man After His Own Heart. Didn’t God Get this Backwards?

Ian Johnson November 14, 2021 7 Comments

God rejected King Saul, a bungler who made a few mistakes trying to do God’s will, his own way. But he accepted King David, a rapist and murderer, forgave him two unforgivable sins, promised him an eternal kingdom, called him a man after his own heart–and put him in Jesus’ lineage! Didn’t God get this backwards? NO!!

Confession and Repentance, Desire to have our own way, forgiveness and mercy, God is Love, God's Existence and Nature, God's rationality, Leaving Our First Love, Peril of Seeking Power, Refusing to hear, Rejecting God, Repentance, Repentance versus Remorse, Sin, Sins versus sin, Social control and statecraft, The Problem of Evil, Trusting sight over God's words, What is sin?

after my own heart, forgive, forgiveness, King David, King Saul, man after God's own heart, rejection, remorse, repent, repentance, sin, sin vs sins, sins, unforgiveable

King Saul, The People’s Sin

Ian Johnson November 7, 2021 5 Comments

King Saul is an example of a leader appointed by God–at the rebellious insistence of the people–who followed his people’s idolatrous rebellion against God. Generally, in spiritual matters, worldly leaders follow their constituents rather than lead them. After God warned the people about the way their king would take, and sent a sign of his displeasure, they showed remorse–false, incomplete repentance–but did not change their ways. Ultimately, King Saul also followed their lead.

Confession and Repentance, Desire to have our own way, God's rationality, idolatry, Peril of Seeking Power, Rejecting God, Repentance, Repentance versus Remorse, Sin, Social control and statecraft, The Problem of Evil, Truth and Falsehood, What is sin?

false repentance, human leaders, idol, Idolatry, in place of God, king, King Saul, leaders follow the people, rebel, rebellion, repent, repentance, Samuel, sin

Repent, turn again, turn away from your wickedness, in Acts 3:19

Ian Johnson October 31, 2021 1 Comment

When Peter preached that the people should “repent,” he explained that meant that they were to “turn away from their wickedness” and so, in their behavior, “listen” to Jesus. Jesus did not come to entertain us or to offer advice, but to turn us away from our own way to obedience to him.

A God who Speaks, God Acts by Speaking, Prophecy, Refusing to hear, Rejecting God, Repentance, Through Jesus

God's Word, Jesus, obedience, obey, Prophecy, Prophet, repent, repentance, turn

“Repent and be Baptized,” in Acts 2:38

Ian Johnson October 24, 2021 1 Comment

After Peter preached his first sermon, on the day of Pentecost, his hearers asked “what must we do to be saved?” His answer was “repent and be baptized.” Those who believed his message repented by giving up their claims of self-ownership and self-reliance and starting to live in community with each other, sharing freely as any had need.

Changed treatment of each other, Desire to have our own way, God's purpose for us, Repentance, Repentance in community, Restoration of God's Image, Restoration of our Relationships, Salvation, Sin, To live in unity, What is sin?

action, baptism, community, fellowship, Pentecost, Peter, prayer, repent, repentance, salvation, saved, self-ownership, self-reliance, sermon

Author Archive: Ian Johnson

Burning Cultural Bridges? Repentance and Paul in Athens, Acts 17:22-31

Like this:

Paul’s sermon at Pisidian Antioch places repentance in John the Baptist’s message, Acts 13:24

Like this:

God gave the Gentiles repentance, Acts 11:18

Like this:

Jesus came to give Israel repentance and remission, Acts 5:31

Like this:

Repentance and Earthly Consequences: the Consequences of David’s Sins–including Jesus

Like this:

The Prophets Nathan and Gad Deal With King David in His Sins

Like this:

God Rejected King Saul, But Declared King David a Man After His Own Heart. Didn’t God Get this Backwards?

Like this:

King Saul, The People’s Sin

Like this:

Repent, turn again, turn away from your wickedness, in Acts 3:19

Like this:

“Repent and be Baptized,” in Acts 2:38

Like this:

Post navigation

Author Archive: Ian Johnson

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: