Steven Johnson

Professor of Religion

Born and raised in Tustin, California, Steve Johnson earned a B.A. in psychology from Cal State Fullerton. After earning an M.Div. from San Francisco Theological Seminary and spending two years as a housepainter and several months as a substitute and math teacher in the Cincinnati Public Schools, he returned to academia to earn M.A.s and a Ph.D. in religion (New Testament). While finishing his dissertation, Johnson taught in Southern California for several years as an adjunct instructor. After completing his dissertation, he was hired by Lycoming College.

Johnson’s academic interests include the interaction between early Jesus Movement communities, gospel studies, the sayings of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas and the Sayings Gospel Q, koine (ancient) Greek, and archaeology. Hi most recent publications include an article, “The Ask, Seek, and Knock Motifs in Early Jesus Movement Literature,” a volume in the Documenta Q series, Q 13:34-35: Judgment over Jerusalem , a monograph, Seeking the Imperishable Treasure: Wealth, Wisdom, and a Jesus Saying , and with his friend Mike Robbins, a revised edition of New Testament Greek: A Beginning and Intermediate Grammar .

Johnson is the chair of the Theological Pursuits and Callings committee, which serves as a discussion forum for students interested in various forms of religious ministry. Additional detail is included in his curriculum vitae.

Johnson’s non-academic interests include basketball, (historical) mystery novels, hiking, and sports in general. His sweetheart and spouse, Dr. Ellen Davis, is the director of music at Saint John's-Newberry United Methodist Church here in Williamsport. Their daughter, Maria, is studying Criminal Justice at Lycoming College. They also have an Australian cattle dog (“blue heeler”) named Pepper, whose demands for physical and mental exercise help keep them fit.

Dig Sites: Bethsaida and Megiddo, Israel, and Idalion, Cyprus.