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.
120episodes
Episodes
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When One Person Is Equipped, Thousands More Are Impacted
Yesterday00:58:00Summary readyGreg talks about the huge difference that can be made when one person is equipped, then he answers questions about attending a church where the pastor is affiliated with Freemasonry, recognizing circular reasoning, “Father, forgive them,” and whether Jesus is physically present in Acts 23:11. Topics: Commentary: When one person is equipped, thousands more are impacted. (00:00) Would you advise people not to attend a church where the pastor is still affiliated with Freemasonry, though not an active member? (08:00) Do you have any tips for recognizing circular reasoning? (26:00) What are the ramifications of Jesus saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”? (43:00) In Acts 23:11, was Jesus physically there, or was this a vision? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show: Be One of the 100 Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll An Overview of Freemasonry – Greg’s discussion with his brother Dave on a previous podcast Acts 19:18–20 – The account of converts to Christianity burning their books of magic Submit a question on the Open Mic Line Metamorphosis: The Beauty and Design of Butterflies DVD by Illustra Media The Design of Life DVD Collection: Volumes 1-3 by Illustra Media
SummaryDoes Age Always Match the Appearance of Age?
6d ago00:58:00Summary readyGreg answers questions about whether or not images are in your brain, various questions about appearance of age and the age of the earth, why Paul says he isn’t lying in Galatians 1:20, and how to share the gospel with people whose loved ones died outside of Christ. Topics: Wouldn’t a materialist just say that the image you have of your mother is in your brain? (06:00) When did a day become 24 hours, how long did it take Jesus to heal, does age coincide with appearance, does God need more or less time to create, and are we not diminishing God’s omnipotence when we argue for an old earth? (21:00) What do you think about Paul saying he’s not lying in Galatians 1:20? (42:00) How do I share the gospel with people who say they can’t accept Christianity because they had loved ones who died outside of Christ? (49:00) Mentioned on the Show: Be One of the 100 Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll STR Outposts Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 11–12 in Atlanta, GA; October 16–17 in Seattle, WA; November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN; February 19–20, 2027 in Dallas, TX; March 12–13, 2027 in Philadelphia, PA; April 23–24, 2027 in Los Angeles, CA
SummaryFind a Good Bible Translation and Stick with It
1w ago00:58:00Summary readyGreg talks about finding a good Bible translation and sticking with it, then he responds to callers’ questions about when to answer questions about hypothetical situations, whether there’s a waiting place when we die, where Greg and Amy disagree, and a non-biblical argument for the afterlife. Topics: Commentary: Find a good Bible translation and stick with it. (00:00) What’s Greg’s advice for when to answer questions about hypothetical situations? (14:00) Do you think there’s a waiting place when we die? (29:00) What do you and Amy disagree on? (36:00) Is it possible to present a non-biblical argument for the afterlife, and what should I advise an atheist to say to her grandchildren who are concerned about her salvation? (45:00) Mentioned on the Show: Be One of the 100 Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 11–12 in Atlanta, GA; October 16–17 in Seattle, WA; November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN; February 19–20, 2027 in Dallas, TX; March 12–13, 2027 in Philadelphia, PA; April 23–24, 2027 in Los Angeles, CA The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl Listen to the two episodes where Greg and Amy discussed the rising antisemitism from different theological perspectives here and here.
SummaryQuestions for Someone Who Casually Refers to Karma
2w ago00:58:00Summary readyGreg talks about the upcoming Reality season, then he responds to questions about what to ask someone who casually refers to karma, the Latter-day Saint claim that they received the true priesthood authority, and whether new Christians ought to go back and correct past wrongs. Topics: Commentary: The upcoming Reality season (00:00) What questions would you ask someone who casually refers to karma? (10:00) How should I question the Latter-day Saint claim that they received the true priesthood authority? (27:00) If someone becomes a Christian, should they go back and correct past wrongs? (44:00) Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 11–12 in Atlanta, GA; October 16–17 in Seattle, WA; November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN; February 19–20, 2027 in Dallas, TX; March 12–13, 2027 in Philadelphia, PA; April 23–24, 2027 in Los Angeles, CA Submit a question on the Open Mic Line Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels by J. Warner Wallace
SummaryWhat About Baptism for the Dead?
2w ago00:58:00Summary readyGreg responds to a question from his daughter about baptism for the dead, then he talks to callers about how to reconcile needing to believe in Jesus to be saved with 1 Timothy 2:4, and whether or not there will be time in Heaven given that the Bible indicates time was created. Topics: Commentary: What about baptism for the dead? (00:00) How do you reconcile needing to believe in Jesus to be saved with 1 Timothy 2:4, where God says he wants all to be saved? (23:00) Since the Bible indicates time was created, does that mean there will be no time in Heaven? (48:00) Mentioned on the Show: The Story of Why God Died and Came to Life Again by Greg Koukl Related Links: One Way or Any Way? Part 1 and Part 2 by Greg Koukl
SummaryInclusivism Gives People False Hope
3w ago00:58:00Summary readyGreg talks about the problems with inclusivism, then he answers questions about why it would be wrong to ask a saint for prayer if they can hear us, whether drawing lots is an approved practice, self-identified Christians who don’t show fruit, and whether the meaning of “doubt” has changed. Topics: Commentary: Inclusivism gives people false hope. (00:00) If people who have passed on can hear the living, then what would be wrong with the Catholic practice of asking a saint for prayer? (23:00) Does Acts 1:26 indicate that the drawing of lots is an approved, godly practice, or was Paul the true replacement, selected by Jesus himself? (29:00) How can we help people who say they trust in the Lord but never show any fruit? (36:00) Is “doubt” a word like “faith” that has changed its meaning? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show: Submit a question on the Open Mic Line No Other Name—Part 1 and Part 2 by Greg Koukl
SummaryWe Have an Obligation to Help the Poor
3w ago00:58:00Summary readyGreg discusses our obligation to help the poor, then he talks to a caller about the fate of saved people who get dementia later in life and answers questions about our conscience vs. the Holy Spirit, the government as an analogy for the Trinity, and the inclusivism of the Catholic Church. Topics: Commentary: We have an obligation to help the poor. (00:00) What happens with saved people who get dementia and then forget everything? (21:00) What is the difference between our conscience and the Holy Spirit, and how can we tell which is which? (31:00) What are your thoughts on using our government as an analogy for the Trinity? (44:00) How does the inclusivism of the Catholic Church differ from how people in the Old Testament were saved before Jesus’ cross and resurrection? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show: The Legend of the Social Justice Jesus by Greg Koukl Orange County Rescue Mission One Way or Any Way? Part 1 and Part 2 by Greg Koukl Submit a question on the Open Mic Line Related Links: Losing Your Salvation in Ephesians 1:14–3 by Amy Hall The Trinity: A Solution, Not a Problem Part 1 and Part 2 by Greg Koukl
SummaryWhat Are the Reasons?
4w ago00:58:00Summary readyGreg reflects on how we know that Christians believe the right thing, then he answers questions about the phrase “That’s just your opinion” shutting down conversations and whether calling YWWH “God” and “Jesus” is a blasphemy. Topics: Commentary: What are the reasons? (00:00) A challenge to Greg’s view that forgiveness requires repentance (12:00) The phrase “That’s your opinion” or “Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion” seems to be used sometimes as a conversation stopper, but should it be? (34:00) Does YHWH consider it a blasphemy when you call him “God” and “Jesus”? (40:00) Mentioned on the Show: The Truth in True Crime: What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life by J. Warner Wallace Biblical Forgiveness Isn’t What You’ve Been Told – Teasi Cannon on Alisa Childers’s podcast Related Links: A Simple Explanation of the Cosmological Argument – Reasonable Faith video
SummaryFaith Is Not Opposed to Knowledge
4w ago00:58:00Summary readyGreg responds to a sign he saw that read, “Knowledge is not faith,” then he answers questions from a caller about how God can be sovereign over our decisions and just at the same time, how God can blame people he didn’t save, and where free will ends. Topics: Commentary: Faith is not opposed to knowledge. (00:00) How is God sovereign over our decisions and just at the same time, how can he blame people he didn’t save, and where does free will end—i.e., if we can’t resist being chosen, what decisions can we resist? (33:00) Related Links: Faith Does Not Save You by Amy Hall (quoting Greg Koukl on the “thick ice” idea) How to Be Sure You’re Saved by Greg Koukl Providence by John Piper (a comprehensive discussion of everything the Bible says about God’s purposeful sovereignty) Excusing Sinners and Blaming God by Guillaume Bignon How Can We Condemn Evil if God Is Sovereign? by Amy Hall
SummaryCultivating a “Big Enough” Worldview in Students
Jul 100:58:00Summary readyIn a talk given to leaders attending STR’s Reality Conference, John Stonestreet explains how and why to cultivate a true Christian worldview in students that’s big enough to enable them to live with hope and embody a life of reconciliation as they respond to the challenges of our cultural moment. Topics: Commentary: John Stonestreet on cultivating a “big enough” worldview in students (00:00) Mentioned on the Show: John Stonestreet – President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview Breakpoint audio commentaries, hosted by John Stonestreet The Fabric of Faithfulness by Steven Garber Truth Rising – Documentary and study Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 11–12 in Atlanta, GA; October 16–17 in Seattle, WA; November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN; February 19–20, 2027 in Dallas, TX; March 12–13, 2027 in Philadelphia, PA; April 23–24, 2027 in Los Angeles, CA Related Links: The livestream from the 2025–2026 season of Reality can be purchased and viewed on demand until August 31, 2026.
Summary