Podcast
Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast
Hosted by Greg Koukl · EN
Our purpose is to help Christians think more clearly about their faith and to help them make an even-handed, incisive, yet gracious defense for classical Christianity. Released every Wednesday and Friday.
105episodes
Episodes
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How Could a Good God Send a Lying Spirit?
5d ago00:58:00Summary readyGreg talks about distinguishing between descriptive and prescriptive passages, then he answers questions about a secular case against legalizing prostitution, how a good God could send a lying spirit, fulfilling a rash vow to God, and attending a wedding between a Christian and a non-Christian. Topics: Commentary: Distinguishing descriptive passages from prescriptive ones (00:00) How would you make a secular case that we shouldn’t legalize prostitution? (06:00) How would you explain God being holy and good to a non-believer reading 1 Kings 22:21–23, where God sends a lying spirit? (29:00) When I thought God called me to be single, I made a vow to do it, but now that I’ve changed my mind about callings, am I still obligated to fulfill that vow? (38:00) Would it be wrong to attend the wedding of a Christian family member who is marrying a non-Christian, and if it’s wrong, what should I do if my wife wants to go? (44:00) Mentioned on the Show: Submit a question on the Open Mic Line
SummaryWhy Weren’t We Made Sinless in the First Place?
2w ago00:58:00Summary readyGreg answers questions about why we weren’t made sinless in the first place, the morality of using donor sperm to conceive, whether we would conclude the Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and Jesus without the Nicene Creed, how God knows the future, and baptism for the dead. Topics: If our evil will be removed in Heaven, why weren’t we made that way in the first place? (02:00) Would it be morally wrong for a Christian married couple to use donor sperm to conceive a child if the husband is infertile? (23:00) Would we come to the conclusion that the Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and Jesus Christ without the Nicene Creed, and if early Christians didn’t believe in the Trinity, were they not saved? (31:00) Does God only know the future simply because he plans the future? (41:00) What are your thoughts on the reference to baptism for the dead in 1 Corinthians 15:29? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show: Submit a question on the Open Mic Line
SummaryIs God a Bad Father?
Mar 4Summary readyGreg 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
SummaryOne True Reality
Jan 1600:58:00Summary readyGreg 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
SummaryThe Intersectionality Wheel of Privilege
Jan 1400:58:00Summary readyGreg 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
SummaryDescriptive vs. Prescriptive
Jan 700:58:00Summary readyGreg 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
SummaryWe Can’t Both Be Christian
Dec 2600:58:00Summary readyGreg 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
SummaryIf Jesus Is the Firstborn, Does That Mean He’s Part of Creation?
Dec 2400:58:00Summary readyGreg 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)
SummaryAre All Values and Duties Subjective Since They Only Exist in Minds?
Dec 1900:58:00Summary readyGreg 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
SummaryThoughts on Annihilationism
Dec 1700:58:00Tap to summarizeGreg 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
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