Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

Greg and Amy talk about the antisemitism spreading among young conservative men and begin a discussion about what the Bible says about God’s relationship with the Jews and how Gentile believers in Christ ought to treat them.   Topics: Commentary: A response to the rising antisemitism (00:00) Mentioned on the Show:  The Bible: Fast Forward – DVD (Also available as a digital download or audio)

Greg talks about a card he received from a group saying we have to follow the Old Testament laws to be saved, then he answers questions about what happens to everyone who doesn’t trust in Jesus, making a case God sustains the universe, and a couple in a celibate same-sex marriage serving in a church.   Topics: Commentary: Your salvation doesn’t depend on following the Old Testament laws. (00:00) If Jesus really is the only way, does that mean everybody else goes to Hell? (31:00) How can I make the case that God sustains our contingent universe without referencing the Bible? (45:00) What do you think about a couple in a same-sex marriage who live together celibately functioning as worship leaders in a church? (51:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Better Together Conference – April 17–18 in Phoenix, AZ Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Related Links: One Way or Any Way? Part 1 and Part 2

Greg talks to Stephen Meyer about The Story of Everything, a film based on Meyer’s book Return of the God Hypothesis, discussing the two competing stories of reality in our culture—one materialist and one theist—and scientific evidence that points to God.   Topics: Interview: Stephen Meyer discusses The Story of Everything, a film based on his book Return of the God Hypothesis. (00:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Stephen Meyer The Story of Everything – In theaters April 30–May 6 Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe by Stephen Meyer Stephen Meyer’s books Mind & Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature is Almost Certainly False by Thomas Nagel Undeniable: How Biology Confirms Our Intuition That Life Is Designed by Douglas Axe Unlocking the Mystery of Life The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos Is Designed for Discovery by Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay Richards

Greg tells an April Fools’ Day story from his past, then he answers questions about using people’s preferred names and pronouns, what becoming saved looks like if it doesn’t involve asking Jesus into your life, and not feeling the love for God that other people seem to feel.   Topics: Commentary: An April Fools’ Day story (00:00) What is your view on using people’s preferred names and pronouns? (15:00) What does becoming saved look like if it doesn’t involve asking Jesus into your life? (31:00) Should I be feeling more love for God? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  STR Outposts Red Pen Logic with Mr. B Why I no longer use Transgender Pronouns—and Why You shouldn’t, either. by Rosaria Butterfield Related Links: Why Agree to Use Preferred Names but Not Preferred Pronouns? by Amy Hall A Response to an Employer’s Request for Pronouns by Amy Hall Problems with Preferred Pronouns by Alan Shlemon Why the “Sinner’s Prayer” Has Me Concerned...and a Biblical Alternative by Greg Koukl #STRask: Is There Something I Can Do to Develop Love for Christ if I Am Emotionally Detached? #STRask question about resources for developing the non-cerebral side of living a Christian life

Greg talks about the grounding for morality, then he answers questions about whether the criteria for the canon is contained in Scripture, how it’s possible that Satan rebelled if there was no sin in Heaven, and how Satan was able to be in the garden of Eden in the first place if it was perfect.   Topics: Commentary: Is morality just limited to God’s say-so? (00:00) Are the criteria for the canon contained in Scripture? (20:00) If there was no sin in Heaven, how is it possible that Satan rebelled, and if the garden of Eden was perfect, how was Satan able to be there in the first place? (45:00) Mentioned on the Show: Submit a question on the Open Mic Line The New Testament Canon: Which Books and Why? by Greg Koukl The Canon of Scripture by F.F. Bruce #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy

Greg goes step by step through the passage in Hebrews 10 that many interpret to mean you can lose your salvation, then he answers questions about 1 Corinthians 2:10–16 in light of his view on hearing God’s voice and the mechanism by which the Holy Spirit comforts, convicts, etc.   Topics: Commentary: Does Hebrews 10 teach that you can lose you salvation? (00:00) What do you think about 1 Corinthians 2:10–16 in terms of your view on God speaking, and by what mechanism does the Holy Spirit do the things you mentioned in your “Does God Whisper?” article? (34:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 by Greg Koukl Related Links: When God Speaks by Greg Koukl

Greg talks to Jon Noyes about his new YouTube project, Noyes on the Streets, where he has conversations about spiritual and ethical topics with people in public places and then breaks them down for viewers and gives tips on how to make your case with clarity and compassion.   Topics: Interview: Jon Noyes – Noyes on the Streets (00:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Noyes on the Streets Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA

Greg answers questions about apologetics resources for young children, the fate of people who never heard the gospel, catering to those who have been historically marginalized, reconciling Romans 3 with the idea that those who seek God find him, and whether the atonement is illogical.   Topics: Do you know of any apologetics resources for children who are ages six and ten? (03:00) What happens to people who never heard the gospel or who lived before the time of Jesus? How do they get saved? (09:00) How would you respond to the idea that people who have been historically marginalized ought to be catered to? (25:00) How do you reconcile the idea that those who seek God find him with Romans 3, which says no one seeks God? (44:00) How is it logical to think that a God-man can die on a cross and absolve you of your moral shortcomings? (51:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side: 40 Conversations to Help Them Build a Lasting Faith by Natasha Crain Cold-Case Christianity for Kids: Investigate Jesus with a Real Detective by J. Warner Wallace The Heathen and the Unknown God – Audio by Greg Koukl Eternity in Their Hearts: Startling Evidence of Belief in the One True God in Hundreds of Cultures Throughout the World by Don Richardson The Bible: Fast Forward – DVD (Also available as a digital download or audio) Critical Race Theory: Civil Rights Upside Down by Greg Koukl Related Links: Foundation Worldview – Curriculum for children The “Heathen” and the Unknown God – Part 1 and Part 2 by Greg Koukl Why the Blood? by Greg Koukl

Greg responds to the claim that there’s no proof for God, then he answers questions about whether the parables in Luke 12 indicate salvation can be lost, Sarah sending away Hagar, how sin moved from an angel to a tree, and what it means to say Jesus took on the sins of the world.   Topics: Commentary: Where’s the proof for God? (00:00) Are the parables in Luke 12 specifically directed at believers, and if so, don’t they imply salvation can be lost? (27:00) Can you explain what the story about Sarah sending away Hagar means? (38:00) How did sin go from being within an angel to being within a tree in a garden, and did Jesus’ taking on the sins of the world break some special power of sin for us, or was Jesus just taking away the consequences of sin? (45:00) Mentioned on the Show:  #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy History of Philosophy by Frederick Charles Copleston Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Submit a question on the Open Mic Line

Greg talks to a caller about whether a church should formulate a specific position on Israel, reviews an AI article on reasons for and against converting to Christianity, and answers a question on whether people are confusing the idea of hearing the voice of God with being led by the Spirit.   Topics: Should a church formulate a specific position on Israel? (00:00) Commentary: Reasons for and against converting to Christianity (19:00) Do you think people are confusing the idea of hearing the voice of God with being led by the Spirit? Are those two different things? (45:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – March 13–14 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA “I asked Claude If It Would Convert to Christianity—Here’s What It Said” The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl Is God Just an Idea? by Greg Koukl Submit a question on the Open Mic Line

Greg talks about a clip from Wes Huff’s interview on Diary of a CEO and responds to objections to Hell, then he answers a question about whether ancient Greeks viewed their mythology the way we view Christianity now and people in the future will view Christianity the way we view Greek mythology now.   Topics: Commentary: Just tell them the truth. (00:00) What makes Christianity different from the way Greek mythology was seen two thousand years ago, and how do we know it won’t be seen as mythology in the future? (48:00) Mentioned on the Show:  #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy Red Pen Logic with Mr. B Reality Student Apologetics Conference – March 13–14 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Clip of Wesley Huff on Diary of a CEO Full interview with Wesley Huff on Diary of a CEO Greg’s debate with Deepak Chopra Greg’s comments last week about the claim that God is a bad father The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien by John Hendrix Can We Trust the Gospels? by Peter J. Williams Related Links: Don’t Try to Make Christianity Look Good by Amy Hall The Bible among the Myths: Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature? by John Oswalt

Greg talks about an argument atheist Michael Ruse made for people to be “moral” even though there are no grounds for being good, then he answers questions about Frank Turek’s claim that the Calvinist God is like Allah, and whether the continued existence of the Jews is evidence for God.   Topics: Commentary: Atheist Michael Ruse’s confused argument for morality (00:00) How would you respond to Frank Turek’s claim that if God regenerates people so that they can believe, but he doesn’t do that for everyone, then God is finite in his love and infinite in his justice, and that’s not the God of the Bible; it’s Allah. (26:00) Frank Turek’s comment about Calvinism seems philosophically wrong, but I need help with it. (29:00) Is there any merit to using the fact that the Jews are still around today as an apologetic? (45:00) Mentioned on the Show:  God Is Dead. Long Live Morality by Michael Ruse C.S. Lewis: The Most Reluctant Convert – Film The Bible: Fast Forward – DVD (Also available as a digital download or audio)

Greg responds to the charge that God is a bad father, then he answers a question from a caller about why we have to go through sanctification when people who die shortly after salvation are immediately glorified.   Topics: Commentary: Is God a bad father? (00:00) Why do some people have to go through sanctification when others will die right after salvation and be immediately glorified? (28:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – March 13–14 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers Related Links: Does God Love Everyone? by Jon Noyes

Greg argues for the A-theory of time, then he answers questions about whether God did something in the absence of time, how God can know what will happen in an A-theory of time, Greg’s take on church membership, and pastors using other people’s sermons.   Topics: Commentary: Arguments for the A-theory of time (00:00) Regarding your argument for the A-theory of time, didn’t God do something in the absence of time if he made the universe, and how can God know what will happen in an A-theory of time? (13:00) What is your take on church membership? (29:00) How do you view the practice of pastors using sermon series created by someone else? (44:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line

Greg explains a three-point response to the problem of evil, then he talks to callers about a strategic question to ask someone who doesn’t trust the Bible because he thinks anything touched by man has been tainted, and whether Acts 17:26–27 is a good proof text for Molinism.   Topics: Commentary: A three-point response to the problem of evil (00:00) What’s a strategic question to ask someone who doesn’t trust the Bible because he thinks anything touched by man has been tainted? (36:00) Is Acts 17:26–27 a good proof text for Molinism? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – March 13–14 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers Related Links: How Can We Condemn Evil if God Is Sovereign? by Amy Hall No “Lost” Books of the Bible by Greg Koukl

Greg answers questions about how to dive into controversial conversations in a sensible way, the proper way of doing missions, whether boxing can be enjoyed to the glory of God, the line between temptation and sin, and whether Luke 20:37–38 points to the B-theory of time.   Topics: When we hear friends discussing topics that touch on our faith, such as abortion, gender issues, or suffering, how do we dive into the conversation in a sensible way? (03:00) What is the proper way of doing missions? Is this something God intended for married couples with children to be doing? (11:00) Can boxing be enjoyed to the glory of God? (26:00) Where is the line between temptation and sin? (40:00) Isn’t Luke 20:37–38 a better justification for the B-theory of time rather than the A-theory? (49:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Challenges by Greg Koukl Submit a question on the Open Mic Line

Greg talks about the “continental divide” in worldviews, then he answers questions about a possible interpretation of Matthew 18:7–9, how to explain the sovereignty of God when a surgeon’s choice leads to someone’s death, and how a surgeon can find peace with that kind of responsibility.   Topics: Commentary: The continental divide in worldviews (00:00) What do you think about the idea that Matthew 18:7–9 is directed towards a community of believers rather than individuals, possibly even referring to wrong doctrine? (30:00) How do you explain the sovereignty of God in relation to the choices we make that have life-and-death consequences, such as when a girl dies on an operating table due to the actions of a surgeon, and how does a surgeon find hope and peace with that kind of responsibility? (41:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – February 20–21 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Greg on The Diary of a CEO

Greg explains that waiting is a normal part of the Christian life, then he answers questions about prophetic words, having a peace about prodigal family members, what makes marriage legitimate, attending baptisms at liberal churches, training for door-to-door evangelism, and a Trinity analogy.   Topics: Commentary: Waiting is a normal part of the Christian life. (00:00) Is it a biblical practice for someone to have a “prophetic word” for others and seem to know things they couldn’t know, or is this fortune-telling? (08:00) Is it wrong to have a peace about the fact that prodigal family members might not come back to the Lord? (24:00) Is marriage legitimate if it’s not done through the government, and what’s the biblical outline for what makes a marriage legitimate? (30:00) If we shouldn’t attend an LDS baptism because they believe in different core doctrines, couldn’t the same apply to some liberal churches? (39:00) Do you have any advice on training a group to do door-to-door evangelism? (45:00) What are your thoughts on using the analogy of Neapolitan ice cream for the Trinity? (52:00) Mentioned on the Show:  House of David series Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl A Simple Survey to Help Initiate Spiritual Conversations by Greg Koukl Related Links: Privatize Marriage? by Amy Hall (quoting Jennifer Roback Morse)

Greg talks about how House of David  and The Most Reluctant Convert bring elements of those historical accounts to light, then he answers questions about the consequences of not attending a same-sex wedding and applying passages with first-person pronouns to ourselves.   Topics: Commentary: Two historical films worth watching (00:00) If you don’t attend a couple’s same-sex wedding, why would they ever consider Christianity after what you did? (35:00) Why do we apply passages with first-person pronouns to ourselves (e.g., in Ephesians 1)? (49:00) Mentioned on the Show:  House of David series C.S. Lewis: The Most Reluctant Convert The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien (A Graphic Novel) by John Hendrix Reality Student Apologetics Conference – February 20–21 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Related Links: Should You Accommodate an LGBT Person’s Requests? by Alan Shlemon Love Doesn’t Trump God’s Moral Commands by Amy Hall

Greg answers questions about how different our resurrected bodies will be, whether something is good so long as someone thinks it brings them closer to God, justification by allegiance alone, and the rationale for saying the human spirit doesn’t have a spatial location.   Topics: If we’re not going to marry in Heaven, doesn’t that suggest that our resurrected bodies will be very different than they are now? (02:00) Should something be considered good so long as someone perceives it as bringing them closer to God? (12:00) Have you heard of “justification by allegiance alone,” and what do you think of it? (30:00) What’s the biblical and philosophical rationale for saying the human spirit doesn’t have a spatial location? (43:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line Darkest Hour – Film