Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

Greg talks about West Hollywood legally recognizing multi-partner relationships, responds to a challenge that he can’t demonstrate the existence of a supernatural category via a legitimate methodology, and answers whether the three-day darkness in Exodus has something to do with Jesus. Topics: Commentary: The arguments for same-sex marriage were always going to lead to this. (00:00) If you can’t demonstrate a supernatural category exists via a legitimate methodology, then you can’t claim God fits into that category and therefore can’t be investigated by science. (29:00) Does the three-day darkness in Exodus have anything to do with Jesus? (45:00) Mentioned on the Show: California City Makes History Allowing Throuples, Foursomes to Legally Register as Partners by Marina Peña Reality Student Apologetics Conference – 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 Related Links: “Love Is Love” Isn’t Enough by Amy Hall Where’s the Marriage Equality for Throuples? by Amy Hall (on how the arguments for same-sex marriage could equally be applied to throuples) Understand the Same-Sex Marriage Issue by Amy Hall What Is Marriage from a Policy Perspective? by Amy Hall (Includes video of Ryan T. Anderson)

Greg answers questions about whether praying for miracles should be an integral part of evangelism, what to ask someone who thinks humans are born good, why Eve would listen to a talking snake, and whether all Reformed people must believe Jesus only died for the elect. Topics: Commentary: Should praying for miracles be an integral part of evangelism? (00:00) What can I ask someone who thinks humans are born good to show him that he’s wrong? (25:00) Why would Eve listen to a talking snake? (36:00) The Bible seems to say Jesus died for all, and Romans 11 seems to indicate that “all” doesn’t just refer to the elect. Must Reformed people believe “all” refers to the elect? (44:00) Mentioned on the Show: Our Pain Has Meaning by Amy Hall (quoting Joni Eareckson Tada on not being willing to trade her wheelchair for anything) Submit a question on the Open Mic Line Reality Student Apologetics Conference – 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: Making Sense of Unanswered Prayer by Amy Hall We’re Not Good at Estimating Our Goodness by Amy Hall Why You Shouldn’t Trust the Feeling That You Don’t Deserve Hell by Amy Hall

Greg encourages us to explain to others that Christianity is about an objective reality outside of us, then he talks to callers about how to remain hopeful even though we could potentially live through the tribulation, and what the Bible says about healing and our health problems. Topics: Commentary: Christianity is about an objective reality outside of us. (00:00) How can I remain hopeful if I think I could potentially live through the tribulation? (23:00) What does the Bible say about healing, and what should I be doing about my health problems? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show: Iron Curtain Diary by Greg Koukl Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents by Rod Dreher Interview: Rod Dreher – Live Not by Lies Our Pain Has Meaning by Amy Hall (quoting Joni Eareckson Tada on not being willing to trade her wheelchair for anything) Related Links: The Rap on the Rapture by Greg Koukl Christians, You Will Suffer by Amy Hall The Rightful Place of Suffering in the Life of the Christian by Amy Hall Meaningful Suffering by Amy Hall (quoting John Newton) Decide Here and Now by Amy Hall (advice from a Christian who survived Communism) A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God’s Sovereignty by Joni Eareckson Tada Why It Isn’t Naïve to Trust God in Your Suffering by Amy Hall Making Sense of Unanswered Prayer by Amy Hall

Greg talks about God’s wills and praying for his will to be done, then he answers questions about citing the story of the rich man and Lazarus to someone who rejects Christianity because of unsaved loved ones who passed away, and whether Moses changes God’s mind in Numbers 14. Topics: Commentary: Thy will be done? (00:00) Do you think it would be a good idea to cite the story about the rich man and Lazarus to someone who doesn’t want to become a Christian because their loved ones died without Jesus? (38:00) Did Moses change Gods mind in Numbers 14, and if so, could we do the same? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show: Fearless Prayer: Why We Don’t Ask and Why We Should by Craig Hazen Reality Student Apologetics Conference – 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 Previous episode referenced by the caller: “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?” (starting at 49:00)

Greg reflects on the objective nature of beauty and morality, then he answers questions about how providence and the decrees of God play out in life and how to manage a denominational split in a way that shows respect to all but still makes clear the danger of staying in the denomination. Topics: Commentary: Beauty and morality are objective. (00:00) How does providence and the decrees of God play out in life? (20:00) As part of a team managing a denominational split, could I have taken a better approach that showed respect to all but still made clear the danger of staying within the denomination? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show: STR Outposts A Response to the Rising Antisemitism – Previous episode How Should Christians View and Treat the Jews? – Previous episode Dogmatic Theology by William G.T. Shedd, edited by Alan Gomes Related Links: Providence by John Piper How Can We Condemn Evil If God Is Sovereign? by Amy Hall God Can Work Through Anyone and Everything—Even You and Your Sin by Amy Hall “Forced Love” Is the Wrong Way to Look at It by Amy Hall Excusing Sinners and Blaming God: A Calvinist Assessment of Determinism, Moral Responsibility, and Divine Involvement in Evil by Guillaume Bignon God Reforms Hearts: Rethinking Free Will and the Problem of Evil by Thaddeus Williams

Greg responds to questions about how to deal with the fear that your children will reject Christ, and whether atheists who formerly identified as Christians ought to agree with us that they were never really Christians. Topics: How can I deal with my terrible fear that my children will reject Christ and it will have been better for them if they had never been born? (00:00) Shouldn’t atheists who formerly identified as Christians agree with us that they were never really Christians? (28:00) 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

Greg talks about what happens to Demas in the New Testament and warns against following in his steps, then he talks to a caller about whether 1 John 2:19 is referring to false teachers rather than false believers. Topics: Commentary: Don’t be Demas. (00:00) Based on 1 John 2:18, would you say verse 19 is referring to false teachers rather than false believers? (28:00) Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics Conference – 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: Losing Your Salvation in Ephesians 1:14–3 by Amy Hall

Greg answers questions from callers about whether abortion is ever necessary to save the life of the mother, how to respond to someone who thinks Genesis 6:5–7 indicates that our Creator makes mistakes, and who the “gods” are that God presides over according to Psalm 82. Topics: Is abortion ever really necessary to save the life of the mother? (07:00) How would you respond to someone who says that Genesis 6:5–7 means that even our Creator makes mistakes? (18:00) Who are the “gods” that God presides over according to Psalm 82? (43:00) Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics Conference – 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 Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers STR Outposts Related Links: #STRask: How Could God Be Perfect If He Regrets Something He Did?

Greg examines a passage that’s often used to support the idea of generational curses, then he talks to a caller about whether the Nicene Creed indicates that we’re saved by baptism and how we can have an expectancy for Christ if there’s no rapture. Topics: Commentary: Generational curses and the sins of the father (00:00) Does the Nicene Creed indicate that we’re saved by baptism? (27:00) How can we have an expectancy for Christ if there’s no rapture? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show: The Blessed Hope: A Biblical Study of the Second Advent and the Rapture by George Eldon Ladd The Church and the Tribulation: A Biblical Examination of Posttribulationism by Robert Gundry The Rap on the Rapture by Greg Koukl

Greg answers questions about how to help people understand that if there is no God then there’s no moral standard, a caller’s book idea, what “Christianity” means, Catholicism, the Holy Spirit’s pronoun, and how to respond when people ask how you’re doing after a Christian loved one dies. Topics: What’s an easy way to tell people who don’t have a belief in God that they have no moral standard? (00:00) What do you think about my “two words” book idea? (11:00) What does “Christianity” mean? (34:00) What’s the difference between Christianity and Catholicism? (40:00) Did you mean to use the pronoun “it” for the Holy Spirit? (50:00) What would be the best way to respond when people ask how I’m doing due to the death of my mom, who loved the Lord and is now with God? (52:00) Mentioned on the Show: Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Challenges by Greg Koukl On Writing Well: The Essential Guide to Mastering Nonfiction Writing and Effective Communication by William Zinsser Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White Reality Student Apologetics Conference – 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

Greg talks about how the phrase “word of God” is used in a surprising way in the book of Acts, then he responds to a caller’s questions and challenges regarding Greg’s claim that “God doesn’t try.” Topics: Commentary: “Word of God” is used in a surprising way in the book of Acts. (00:00) What do you mean when you say that “God doesn’t try”? (27:00) Mentioned on the Show: When God Speaks by Greg Koukl Related Links: Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 by Greg Koukl

Greg says there’s no equal to Christianity as a coherent worldview, then he answers questions about reconciling justification with the final judgment, whether Jesus was being literal in Luke 22:36 and Peter was in the wrong in John 18:10, and whether we can know how the universe began. Topics: Commentary: There is no equal to Christianity as a coherent worldview. (00:00) How do you reconcile the teaching on justification with the teaching on final judgment? (12:00) Was Jesus being literal in Luke 22:36, and was Peter in the wrong in John 18:10 or was he being honorable? (40:00) How would you respond to someone who says there’s no way you could know what happened at the start of the universe and the scientific consensus is that evolution truly happened? (51:00) Mentioned on the Show: The #STRask podcast Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe by Stephen Meyer Related Links: #STRask: Will I Have to Give an Account for My Abortion When I Stand Before Jesus?

Greg answers questions about whether it’s possible for a true Christian to lose his salvation, advice for starting an Outpost without having leadership experience, how to get more comfortable praying in public, and whether the Great Commission is for the whole church or just the apostles. Topics: Is it possible for a true Christian to lose his salvation due to willingly wanting to give it up? (04:00) Do you have any advice for someone who would like to start an Outpost but doesn’t have much leadership experience, and how can I get more comfortable praying in public? (26:00) Was the Great Commission intended for the whole church or just the apostles? (44:00) Mentioned on the Show: STR U Online Training Reality Student Apologetics Conference – 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 STR Outposts Related Links: Losing Your Salvation in Ephesians 1:14–3 by Amy Hall

Greg addresses whether abortion is acceptable to save the life of the mother, then Rebekah Humes joins him to answer questions about the Latter-day Saint view of Jesus and the biblical reasons they give for thinking we’ll have a second chance to accept LDS doctrine after death. Topics: Commentary: Is abortion morally acceptable to save the life of the mother? (00:00) Rebekah Humes joins Greg to answer an Open Mic question: What are LDS people saying when they teach a “divine and mortal” Jesus, and do they use the Bible to support the idea that there will be a second chance to accept LDS doctrine after death? (21:00) Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics Conference – 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: Verses for Your Conversations with Mormons by Amy Hall Who Is the God of Mormonism? by Amy Hall Is It Possible Some Mormons Are Saved? by Amy Hall

Greg reads an evangelism story from a listener about praying when you use apologetics, then he answers questions about the rapture, whether Paul’s words that we should desire to prophesy contradict Greg’s view on hearing the voice of God, and the doctrine of entire sanctification. Topics: Commentary: Don’t forget to pray when you use apologetics. (00:00) Could you explain your position on the rapture? (13:00) Do the statements in 1 Corinthians 14 that we should desire to prophesy contradict your view on hearing the voice of God? (36:00) What do you think of the doctrine of entire sanctification (or Christian perfection) that says it’s possible to receive the ability to fulfill the command to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength through faith and grace? (48:00) Mentioned on the Show: The Blessed Hope: A Biblical Study of the Second Advent and the Rapture by George Eldon Ladd The Church and the Tribulation: A Biblical Examination of Posttribulationism by Robert Gundry Related Links: The Rap on the Rapture by Greg Koukl

Greg talks to Frank Turek and Phoenix Hayes, authors of The War on Reality: Recovering Truth in a World That Celebrates Lies, about foundational ideas behind the controversies in our culture, human nature, Marxism, Christian nationalism, social justice, spiritual warfare, and more. Topics: Interview: Frank Turek and Phoenix Hayes, authors of The War on Reality: Recovering Truth in a World That Celebrates Lies (00:00) Mentioned on the Show: Frank Turek Phoenix Hayes The War on Reality: Recovering Truth in a World That Celebrates Lies by Frank Turek and Phoenix Hayes CrossExamined Instructor Academy Related Links: If We Lose the Meaning of “Justice,” We Lose the Gospel by Amy Hall The Legend of the Social Justice Jesus by Greg Koukl

Greg responds to the idea that science contradicts the Bible, then he answers a question about how we can be sure the Protestant view of communion is correct as opposed to the Catholic view. Topics: Commentary: Does science contradict the Bible? (00:00) How can we be sure the Protestant view of communion is the correct one as opposed to the Catholic view? (32:00) Mentioned on the Show: Darwin on Trial by Phillip Johnson

Greg reflects on the phenomenon of topics coming up that he just read about in the Bible, then he answers questions about the New Testament quoting variants in the Septuagint rather than what was originally inspired, whether Adam had no choice but to sin, and women in ministry. Topics: Commentary: God will use what you read in the Bible. (00:00) Why do the New Testament authors quote variants in the Septuagint and not what was originally inspired? (10:00) How would you respond to the assertion that Adam had no choice and had to sin, otherwise God’s purposes could not have moved forward? (34:00) What are your thoughts on women in ministry? (48:00) Mentioned on the Show: Submit a question on the Open Mic Line #STRask: Can You Explain Verbal Plenary Inspiration When the New Testament Writers Quote the Septuagint? “Misquoting” Jesus? Answering Bart Ehrman by Greg Koukl Related Links: How Can We Condemn Evil If God Is Sovereign? by Amy Hall

Greg answers questions about whether Christian schools ought to accept children with non-Christian parents, whether both Christians and non-Christians will stand in the judgment, and how to be as charitable as possible without weakening your position tactically. Topics: If non-Christian parents are willing to send their child to a Christian school, why would that school keep the child out just because the parents aren’t Christians? (04:00) Will both Christians and non-Christians stand in the judgment? (17:00) What’s the right way to navigate being as charitable as you can in a conversation without weakening your position tactically? (45:00) Mentioned on the Show: Be One of the 100 Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll Submit a question on the Open Mic Line Related Links: #STRask: Will I Have to Give an Account for My Abortion When I Stand Before Jesus? – On the idea of standing before God to give an account of what you've done

Greg answers questions on how Christians interpreted Jeremiah 31:35–36 before the reestablishment of the state of Israel, evidence the world was ever unbroken, and the best tactic to engage a Jehovah’s Witness and build a relationship with him. Topics: Be one of the 100. (00:00) How would Christians have interpreted Jeremiah 31:35–36 from the point of the establishment of the church up until the reestablishment of the political state of Israel, and how do dispensationalists interpret it now? (04:00) Can you point to any evidence the world was ever different (in terms of both biology and physics) in the past from the way it is today—i.e., not broken? (39:00) What’s the best tactic to engage a Jehovah’s Witness and build a relationship with him? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show: Be One of the 100 Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll The Bible: Fast Forward – Audio, DVD, Video on Demand Greg and Amy discussed Israel from different theological perspectives here and here. Deity of Christ: Case Closed by Greg Koukl Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Challenges by Greg Koukl Related Links: Three Telltale Signs of “Christianity” Gone South – Includes the three questions Greg recommended asking Jehovah’s Witnesses