Rev Chris Johnson MSc’s Starting with God: An Invitation to Encounter God (2026) is a gentle, introspective, and spiritually honest work crafted for readers standing at any point along the spectrum of belief—from the quietly weary to the spiritually curious, from those deconstructing faith to those hoping to begin again. Rather than offering neat answers, Johnson structures the book as a companion for the questions people often carry beneath the surface of daily life.
Across seven reflective chapters, Johnson guides readers through themes such as longing, loss, exile, return, and spiritual reorientation. Each chapter invites an unhurried exploration of God’s presence, particularly in the unexpected or overlooked corners of life. The book emphasizes encountering God not through rigid dogma, but through slowing down, paying attention, and allowing deep questions to surface. This framework echoes throughout Johnson’s summation that Starting with God is “not a book of answers” but a space for wrestling, wondering, and rediscovering a faith resilient enough to hold the realities of lived experience.
Johnson’s approach is pastoral yet poetic. His reflections encourage readers to identify the ache beneath their striving, move through the cross toward redemption and renewal, and reclaim a sense of belonging grounded not in self-effort but in grace. The book’s thematic arc—Encountering God, Redemption and Reorientation, Revelation and Identity, Presence and Purpose, Starting, Belonging, Renewal and Response—creates a cohesive spiritual journey that blends theology with lived experience.
A distinguishing strength of the book lies in its accessibility. Starting with God is approachable without being superficial. The tone is rooted in honesty, making space for those who carry doubts, restlessness, or a sense of spiritual fragmentation. Johnson acknowledges the complexities of modern faith, meeting readers where they are while pointing them toward a hope anchored in Jesus—the cornerstone upon which, he suggests, a meaningful and renewed life can be built.
Starting with God has already served many readers as a daily devotional and has been used effectively in small groups following Christianity Explored. Its reflective, accessible style makes it just as fitting for groups looking for a meaningful next step after Alpha.
The book’s impact extends beyond print: Johnson’s message is echoed in related media, including reflective podcast episodes, a devotion plan on the Bible App and video series introducing the book’s themes. These reinforce the work’s intent—offering companionship to anyone navigating the tension between longing and belief.
Conclusion
Starting with God is a thoughtful, compassionate contribution to contemporary Christian spiritual writing. Rev Chris Johnson writes with clarity, humility, and a deep pastoral sensitivity to the questions that modern readers carry. Ideal for seekers, skeptics, and seasoned believers alike, the book serves as a quiet but steady invitation to begin—or begin again—on the journey toward encountering God.
If you’re yearning for meaning, wrestling with faith, or simply longing for a place to start, Rev Johnson offers a companionable voice that reminds you: the journey from pieces to presence is not only possible, but essential.
*This review has been AI generated by the author but is a recommendation from Yinka
