Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

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

Greg answers questions about an analogy to learning to hear God’s voice, taking communion after arguing with a Christian, the point of praying when God’s will is already set, apologetics curriculum for teens, and why one should pray in front of an abortion clinic instead of at home.   Topics: How would you respond to someone who says that a baby hears a bird but doesn’t know it’s a bird until he grows and learns that it’s a bird, and this is like learning to hear God’s voice? (01:00) Is it okay to take communion after arguing with a Christian? (22:00) What’s the point of praying for protection if it’s already God’s will whether we will be protected or not? (33:00) Can you recommend a discipleship and apologetics curriculum for teens along with a conference in our area to cap off our school year? (42:00) Why would we have to pray in front of the abortion clinic and not at home? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show:  When God Speaks by Greg Koukl STR U Online Training Reality Student Apologetics Conference – February 20–21 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Red Pen Logic with Mr. B Related Links: Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 by Greg Koukl

Greg discusses IVF’s slippery slope, then he talks to callers about a strategy he could have used on Diary of a CEO, and how to know when to stay in a church to try to change what’s happening and when to leave.   Topics: Commentary: A legitimate slippery slope (00:00) How fruitful would the DOAC conversation have been if Greg had just said, “I’ve got the answer.” (26:00) When do you stay in a church to try to change what’s happening, and when is it time to leave? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  After-birth abortion: why should the baby live? by Alberto Giubilini and Francesca Minerva 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 Related Links: The Black Box of IVF by Alan Shlemon What You Might Not Know about IVF – Podcast episode by Alan Shlemon and Amy Hall The Tragic Consequences of the IVF Industry by Amy Hall How IVF Is Changing Our View of Human Beings by Amy Hall Embracing the Absurd by Amy Hall

Greg answers questions about responding to someone in ministry who’s avoiding controversial truths with the students, suggestions for witnessing to a brother after his stroke, whether God sees salvation as a single moment in time, a possible problem with the moral argument, and the flood.   Topics: What should I say to someone in ministry who is avoiding controversial truths with the students so that they’ll keep coming back? (00:00) Do you have suggestions for witnessing to my brother after his stroke? (14:00) Does God see salvation as a single moment in time or as the whole process of drawing, converting, and sanctifying? (27:00) If Christianity put in place our ideas of what is truly good and what is truly evil, then how can we make the case for God using the moral argument? (36:00) Do you think the story of Noah is historically true but the ark and the animals are allegorical? (48:00) Mentioned on the Show:  The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl The Story of Why God Died and Came to Life Again by Greg Koukl The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again by Justin Brierley Noah’s Flood Revisited: New Depths of Insight from Science and Scripture by Hugh Ross Related Links: Love Doesn’t Trump God’s Moral Commands by Amy Hall What Does God’s Love Look Like? by Amy Hall Should You Accommodate an LGBT Person’s Requests? by Alan Shlemon Jesus Built Western Civilization by Amy Hall (quoting Tom Holland)

Greg describes two types of legalism, then he answers questions from callers about overcoming anxiety about addressing controversial topics in the church, and how to tell the difference between claiming a legitimate promise of God and the prosperity gospel.   Topics: Commentary: Two types of legalism (00:00) How can I overcome my anxiety about saying something controversial in the church? (31:00) Is there a way to tell the difference between claiming a legitimate promise of God and the prosperity gospel? (51:00) Mentioned on the Show:  The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl The Story of Why God Died and Came to Life Again by Greg Koukl 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: Answering an Objection to Grace: Why Not Sin? by Amy Hall The Law Is Good by Amy Hall What Is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert How Can I Know Which Bible Promises Apply to Me? by Amy Hall Promises We Can’t Claim. Promises We Can. by Greg Koukl

Greg reflects on why our culture has difficulty with the idea that there can only be one true religion, then he answers questions about apologetics in the church, stories that make it sound like God does whisper to us, and the line between spiritual correction and spiritual abuse.   Topics: Commentary: One true reality (00:00) How can I introduce apologetics and biblical ethics into my church? (10:00) What do we do with stories that make it sound like God really did whisper to someone? (27:00) When does correcting people in a congregation turn into spiritual abuse? (48:00) Mentioned on the Show:  STR U Online Training – There’s a course on the idea that “truth is not ice cream” Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air by Francis Beckwith and Greg Koukl Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 by Greg Koukl When God Speaks by Greg Koukl Related Links: One Way or Any Way? Part 1 by Greg Koukl One Way or Any Way? Part 2 by Greg Koukl

Greg talks about the “Intersectionality Wheel of Privilege” his daughter had to place herself on as part of a school assignment, then he answers a question about how we can be sure there’s only one true religion.   Topics: Commentary: The Intersectionality Wheel of Privilege (00:00) How can we be sure there’s only one true religion? (42:00) Mentioned on the Show:  The Intersectionality Wheel of Privilege Greg on The Diary of a CEO

Greg highlights the distinction between descriptive and prescriptive passages in the Bible then answers questions about a pro-choice challenge, helping someone in memory care, baptismal regeneration, responding to “Love is my religion,” animal blessings, and Bible translations.   Topics: Commentary: Descriptive vs. prescriptive (00:00) If someone says that if you’re pro-life then you should be against capital punishment, then couldn’t I flip that around and say that if a pro-choicer says a woman has the authority over her body to kill her unborn child, then he should be fine with her killing herself? (10:00) What can I give a person in memory care to help them? (22:00) Is it a dealbreaker if a church you’re going to believes in baptismal regeneration, and is this salvation by works? (28:00) How would you respond to someone who said, “Love is my religion”? (36:00) What is up with animal blessings? (44:00) Is the New World Translation not called the “Holy Bible” because they changed too much in the text? (49:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line Related Links: Further Reading on Bible Translations by Daniel Wallace

Greg answers questions about beauty being “in the eye of the beholder,” what it looks like to follow the greatest commandment and how to teach it to students, and how to explain to a skeptic what we mean by “faith.”   Topics: How could biblical writers talk about certain women being beautiful if beauty is in the eye of the beholder? (03:00) What does following the greatest commandment—loving the Lord your God with all your heart—look like, what does it mean, and how should I teach it to students? (19:00) Can you help me explain to a skeptic what we mean by “faith”? (41:00) Related Links: You Don’t Have to Choose between the Head and the Heart – Greg Koukl discusses living “coram Deo.” Faith Is Not Wishing by Greg Koukl Faith Isn’t a Way of Knowing; It’s a Way of Trusting by Tim Barnett

Greg talks about fundamental differences between Latter-day Saint and Christian theology, explaining that we can’t both be Christian, then he talks to callers about whether being a winsome ambassador is irrelevant if God draws people, and attending a megachurch.   Topics: Commentary: We can’t both be Christian. (00:00) If the Father draws people, then is being a winsome ambassador irrelevant? (32:00) What are your thoughts on attending a megachurch? (49:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Donate to Stand to Reason Is Mormonism Just Another Christian Denomination? by Greg Koukl LDS Beliefs: A Doctrinal Reference by Robert Millet Jesus, the Only Way: 100 Verses Related Links: Verses for Your Conversations with Mormons by Amy Hall Who Is the God of Mormonism? by Amy Hall LDS View of Atonement Clarified by Amy Hall Is It Possible Some Mormons Are Saved? by Amy Hall “Mormons Aren’t Christians” Is Not an Epithet by Amy Hall

Greg talks to a caller about whether Colossians 1:15 implies that Jesus is part of creation since it says he is the “firstborn,” then he reflects on the first Christmas and the birth of Jesus.   Topics: Does the statement in Colossians 1:15 that Jesus is the firstborn of creation imply he’s part of creation? (13:00) Commentary: The first Christmas and the birth of Jesus (36:00) 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 Donate to Stand to Reason Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves The Nativity Story – Film Related Links: Was Jesus the First Created Being? by Tim Barnett Deity of Christ: Case Closed by Greg Koukl Six Reasons to Believe Jesus Is God – Red Pen Logic (Tim Barnett)

Greg talks to callers about whether all values and duties are inherently subjective, whether Paul is making the same point in Ephesians 2:7 and Romans 9:23, biblical justification for Christian Zionism, and how God can be good if he doesn’t save everyone he created.   Topics: How would you respond to the claim that values and duties are inherently subjective since concepts exist only in minds? (04:00) Is Paul making the same point in Ephesians 2:7 and Romans 9:23? (16:00) What is the biblical justification for Christian Zionism? (25:00) How can I make a compelling case for the character of God in answer to the question of why he doesn’t save everyone he’s created even though he’s capable of doing so? (50:00) 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 Donate to Stand to Reason “Morality based on God is just another form of relativism.” – Part of November’s Solid Ground Conversations with an Atheist The Bible: Fast Forward – DVD (Also available as a digital download or audio) Related Links: Why Did God Create People if He Knew So Many Would Go to Hell? by Amy Hall

Greg comments on the current conversation on annihilationism and calls for charity when disagreeing with others on this issue, then he answers a question about how to deal with doubts when Christianity seems unlikely to you.   Topics: Commentary: Thoughts on annihilationism (00:00) How do you deal with doubts when Christianity seems unlikely? (36:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Hell Interrupted – Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 Donate to Stand to Reason

Greg answers a question about the “hermeneutical spiral” and getting an objective meaning from the text, then he chats with a caller who doesn’t believe in God about his objection to Greg’s definition of atheism and why he is currently deconstructing.   Topics: Are you familiar with the “hermeneutical spiral,” and do you think we’re able to get an objective meaning from the text? (05:00) Can we have a conversation about what atheism is? (22:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Donate to Stand to Reason Related Links: Atheism: More Than Just a Non-Belief by Amy Hall Atheism Isn’t Simply a Lack of Belief by Tim Barnett The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How to Respond by Tim Barnett and Alisa Childers

Greg clarifies some comments he made about altar calls and the gospel last week, then he answers questions about whether we’re skipping Christ’s intercession if we pray to the Father, and what he thinks about certain tactics being used by a pro-life organization.   Topics: Commentary: Greg clarifies his view on altar calls and the gospel. (00:00) If we pray directly to the Father, are we skipping Christ’s intercession? (29:00) Do you have any thoughts on these tactics being used by a pro-life organization? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Greg’s suggestions for a first-time pastor in the previous episode Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl New Testament Prayer by Greg Koukl Donate to Stand to Reason

Greg answers questions about suggestions for a first-time pastor, responding to someone who says people always report the same thing about their near-death experiences, and how much interaction to have with LDS neighbors in light of 2 John 10.   Topics: What are some suggestions you have for a first-time pastor when it comes to tithing, altar calls, Sunday school, and music, and what things should I be focused on in addition to preaching the gospel? (05:00) How would you respond to someone who says that people always report the same thing about their near-death experiences? (36:00) In light of 2 John 10, how much interaction should I have with my LDS neighbors? I don’t want to give the impression that we’re all Christians and agree with their teachings. (46:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Donate to Stand to Reason Sean McDowell’s episodes on near-death experiences Is Mormonism Just Another Christian Denomination? by Greg Koukl Related Links: Three Telltale Signs of “Christianity” Gone South by Greg Koukl Verses for Your Conversations with Mormons by Amy Hall Who Is the God of Mormonism? by Amy Hall LDS View of Atonement Clarified by Amy Hall Is It Possible Some Mormons Are Saved? by Amy Hall

Greg responds to the claim that “Jesus taught that we were supposed to love and accept one another,” then he answers questions about numbers being evidence for the existence of God, using a person’s suffering as an apologetic, and the salvation of Word of Faith people.   Topics: Commentary: Didn’t Jesus teach that we were supposed to love and accept one another? (00:00) Could numbers be used as evidence for the existence of God? (30:00) What do you think about using a person’s suffering as an apologetic? (40:00) Do you think people in the Word of Faith movement are saved? (51:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Donate to Stand to Reason God, Greed, and the (Prosperity) Gospel: How Truth Overwhelms a Life Built on Lies by Costi Hinn Related Links: Interview: Natasha Crain on the “He Gets Us” Campaign The Rightful Place of Suffering in the Life of the Christian by Amy Hall Christians, You Will Suffer by Amy Hall Why Does God Let Us Suffer? by Amy Hall How Our Suffering Glorifies God by Amy Hall If God Is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil by Randy Alcorn

Greg talks about whether or not we’re obliged to pray only to the Father, then he answers a question about how he determined he was being stirred by God to start Stand to Reason.   Topics: Commentary: Are we obliged to pray only to the Father? (00:00) How did you determine that you were being stirred by God to start Stand to Reason? (18:00) Mentioned on the Show:  The Incarnate Christ and His Critics: A Biblical Defense by Robert M. Bowman and J. Ed Komoszewski Related Links: You Don’t Have to Choose between the Head and the Heart by Greg Koukl Why Tim Keller Started to Pray by Amy Hall Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 by Greg Koukl When God Speaks by Greg Koukl

Greg talks to callers about how to become a better thinker, how to get better at responding to people in conversations, and whether the Israelites stole stories and laws from other cultures to create the Old Testament.   Topics: How can I become a better thinker and get better at responding to people in conversations? (07:00) Did the Israelites steal stories and laws from other cultures to create the Old Testament? (33:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – February 20–21, 2026 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA STR Outposts Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl Noah’s Flood Revisited: New Depths of Insight from Science and Scripture by Hugh Ross

Greg answers questions about attending an unmarried woman’s baby shower, whether God causes mutations, implications of God being temporal, splitting prayers between Jesus and the Father, anomalies in worldviews, and advice for someone who doesn’t like church.   Topics: Should I attend my unmarried niece’s baby shower? (01:00) Does God cause mutations, or does he allow them to happen? (11:00) Can you explain to me your understanding of the relationship between the beginning of time and God being a temporal being? (18:00) Are we supposed to split our prayers between Jesus and the Father? (32:00) Can you speak to the concept of anomalies in worldviews? (36:00) Do you have any advice for someone who doesn’t like going to church? (46:00)