Overview of #327 Josh Howerton - "In 50 Years, China Will Have More Christians Than America"
In this episode of The Shawn Ryan Show, Shawn Ryan talks with Pastor Josh Howerton, senior pastor of Lake Point/Lakepointe Church in the Dallas area, about faith, the cultural backlash against Christianity, the global growth of the church, forgiveness, leadership, and how to raise children in a spiritually grounded home. The conversation blends theology, personal testimony, and practical ministry advice, with a strong emphasis on how Christians can remain anchored in truth while navigating a noisy, skeptical culture.
Main Themes Discussed
Christianity and cultural hostility
Howerton argues that Christianity is uniquely targeted because, biblically, the world is in spiritual conflict and Christianity represents the central truth claims of the Bible.
- He frames the Bible as a unified, cross-referenced text pointing to Christ.
- He says Christianity is opposed because it is the one worldview that claims exclusive truth through Jesus.
- He connects this to broader spiritual warfare language in Scripture.
Islam, prophecy, and end-times parallels
A major portion of the discussion explores Howerton’s perspective on Islam and biblical prophecy.
- He traces Islamic spiritual lineage through Ishmael and contrasts it with the covenant line through Isaac and ultimately Jesus.
- He argues that Muhammad’s claim of receiving revelation from an angel aligns with biblical warnings about false angels and “another gospel.”
- He says the Bible predicts a final wave of religious deception and persecution, and he sees parallels between Islamic eschatology and the New Testament’s description of the Antichrist.
The growth of Christianity globally
Shawn and Howerton discuss whether Christianity is shrinking or expanding.
- Howerton says Christianity is declining in parts of the West but growing rapidly in Africa, Asia, the Global South, and especially China.
- He cites the idea that China could have more Christians than America within 50 years if current trends continue.
- He suggests the rise in baptisms, church attendance, and young men returning to church may be part of a broader spiritual resurgence.
Forgiveness, justice, and healing
One of the deepest segments of the conversation focuses on how to forgive people who repeatedly hurt you.
- Howerton distinguishes forgiveness from reconciliation:
- Forgiveness is something one person can do.
- Reconciliation requires both people.
- He explains forgiveness as canceling a debt and releasing vengeance to God.
- He warns that bitterness becomes a spiritual prison and can harden a person over time.
- He encourages people to name the wound, identify what was taken, and intentionally “cancel the debt” before God.
- He also stresses that forgiving someone does not mean excusing crime or avoiding legal consequences.
Forgiving yourself
Howerton says many people struggle most with forgiving themselves.
- He points back to the gospel: the issue is not whether a person has done something too bad to be forgiven, but whether they understand what Christ has already done.
- He says self-forgiveness becomes possible when people stop focusing on themselves and look to the cross.
- He emphasizes that the longer someone walks with Jesus, the more aware they become of their own sin—and the more they appreciate grace.
Leadership, criticism, and influence
Shawn and Howerton compare notes on public scrutiny and staying grounded.
- Howerton says criticism should be “weighed, not counted.”
- He advises having a trusted inner circle: spouse, elders, and close friends who can be honest without being influenced by your platform.
- Shawn describes stepping away from audience metrics and social media feedback so his decisions are less shaped by public reaction.
- Both stress the importance of not being ruled by praise or internet mobs.
Marriage and family
Howerton talks warmly about his wife, Jana, and the role she plays in his life and ministry.
- He credits her as a “launch pad,” not a “lid,” meaning she helps him go further rather than holding him back.
- He says a man’s most important ministry is often his home.
- He and Shawn both emphasize that their wives value them, not just their public roles.
Parenting and passing down faith
Howerton gives practical advice on raising children in a Christian home.
- Your faith must be real, even if it’s not perfect.
- As kids get older, don’t just enter their world—pull them into yours.
- Whoever tells the best stories wins, so parents should intentionally tell stories of God’s faithfulness.
- He stresses the importance of a redeemed “village” — a church community, not just random culture, helping shape children.
The purpose of the church
Howerton explains how a large church can still remain personal and relational.
- He says the pastor’s role is not to personally do everything, but to ensure ministry happens.
- He describes using deacons, staff, and counselors to meet different needs.
- He and his wife still spend time in lobbies, prayer, and discipleship settings so the church doesn’t become detached from real people.
Notable Insights
On Christianity’s core message
Christianity is not “good people telling bad people how to be good”; it is forgiven people telling others about a Savior who can save anybody.
On unforgiveness
Unforgiveness is a prison, and the person locked inside is often the one refusing to forgive.
On why Christianity is uniquely attacked
Howerton argues that the Bible itself predicts hostility toward God’s people and that much of modern contempt for Christianity fits that pattern.
On the gospel
He returns repeatedly to the idea that Jesus is not one way among many, but the only way to the Father.
Key Takeaways
- Christianity, in Howerton’s view, is both globally growing and spiritually opposed in the West.
- The Bible’s unity, prophecy, and internal cross-referencing are presented as evidence of divine authorship.
- Forgiveness is essential for spiritual and emotional health, but it does not eliminate justice.
- Healthy leadership requires trusted accountability, not public opinion.
- Parents should model real faith and surround their kids with a redeemed community.
- The church can scale without losing intimacy if leadership is structured well and the shepherd stays close to the sheep.
Final Thought
This conversation is equal parts theology lesson, pastoral counseling session, and cultural commentary. If you want a snapshot of Josh Howerton’s worldview, it centers on this: Jesus is the answer to personal sin, cultural confusion, spiritual warfare, and the need for lasting truth in a collapsing world.