Stockdale Paradox Christianity
From Ghosting to Gatecrashing
- Christian Living
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2025
FritzSearch.com earns a commission on purchases made through Bookshop.org links.
Publisher's Description
The church is drifting: quiet where it should roar and comfortable where it should stand. Too many believers have ghosted their calling, blending in with culture rather than breaking through its chains. Stockdale Paradox Christianity: From Ghosting to Gatecrashing is a rallying cry to awaken, rise, and recover the Spirit-filled life Jesus promised. Drawing from Admiral James Stockdale's paradox of hope and brutal honesty, J. P. Moreland's Kingdom Triangle, and the Finnish concept of sisu (holy resilience), Johnson issues a prophetic challenge for courageous discipleship. With sharp cultural critique, rich biblical narrative, and Spirit-led challenge, he calls the church to reject "Stockholm Syndrome Christianity" and embrace Spirit-anchored courage that refuses to bow to false narratives. This is not a halftime pep talk. It is a challenge and invitation to return to our commission from the King. The Spirit empowers ordinary saints--pastors, parents, students, teachers, leaders--to storm the gates of hell with unstoppable force. For those tired of shallow faith and weary of capitulation, this book offers more than survival. It offers the blueprint for a Spirit-empowered life that refuses to retreat and runs forward with hope, resilience, and fire.
Endorsements (4)
“Some books inform, others inspire, but few ignite! From its opening pages Stockdale Paradox Christianity ignites a blazing fire that both incinerates the façade of complacent Christianity and sparks a holy hunger in the reader to crash hell’s gates by the Holy Spirit’s power. . . . It is a prophetic call to cultural impact.” “Some books inform, others inspire, but few ignite! From its opening pages Stockdale Paradox Christianity ignites a blazing fire that both incinerates the façade of complacent Christianity and sparks a holy hunger in the reader to crash hell’s gates by the Holy Spirit’s power. It lays out a clear, insightful, and Spirit-inspired path for transformation from orthodox profession about the Spirit to dynamic life in the Spirit. It is a prophetic call to cultural impact.”
“Stockdale Paradox Christianity is for every church that wants to break out of the current stagnant cultural compromise. Steve Johnson has stewarded well this revelation from the Lord to release true riches from heaven, the power of the Holy Spirit to witness, and the fullness of the glorious church that Jesus has in mind. Both a confirming and convicting read, which are keys to true revival and another great awakening. This book will stir you to desire again to partner with God for his kingdom to come and his will to be done. I recommend this book for every pastor, church leader, and Christ follower who wants to see heaven come to earth through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Steve, for tapping into this revelation from God.”
“Stockdale Paradox Christianity is a bold and timely call for the church to rediscover its prophetic voice in an age of compromise. With clarity, conviction, and spiritual grit, it challenges believers to face the hard truths of our cultural moment without losing faith in God’s ultimate victory. Drawing from the powerful example of Admiral James Stockdale, this book urges Christians to combine unshakable hope with honest self-examination—and to stand courageously for the truth when the world demands surrender. Every pastor, leader, and believer who longs to see the church regain her strength and integrity should read this.”
See something wrong on this page? Report a problem