Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

Greg talks about Christopher Yuan’s story and the idea that our desires do not define our identity, then he answers questions about retaliation for not participating in CRT training at work, power in Jesus’ name, whether abortion is better than Hell, and whether Hell is punishment or merely suffering as a result of being separated from God.   Topics:

1. Commentary: Our desires aren’t our identity. (00:00)
2. How should I respond to the retaliation that happened when I said I wouldn’t  participate in CRT training at work? (10:00)
3. Does Matthew 7:21–23 mean there’s power in Jesus’ name, even for those who aren’t Christians? (36:00)
4. Wouldn’t aborting a child be better than their being born and going to Hell? (40:00)
5. Is Hell punishment or just torment as a result of our separation from God? (49:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son's Journey to God. A Broken Mother's Search for Hope by Christopher Yuan and Angela Yuan
• Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God's Grand Story by Christopher Yuan

Related Links:

• Sexuality, Identity, Sin, and Denying Ourselves to Follow Christ by Amy Hall

Greg talks about how we need to understand the big picture in the Bible so we’re not shaken by challenges about the parts, then he answers a question from a single man in his mid-twenties about how to deal with a pornography addiction.   Topics:

1. Commentary: You need to understand the whole to understand the parts. (00:00)
2. How should a single male in his mid-twenties deal with an addiction to pornography? (29:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy (archives here)
• The Bible Fast Forward: Piecing Together the Biblical Puzzle – Lectures by Greg
• STR U Online Training
• Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 24–25 in Orange County, CA; October 15–16 in Seattle, WA; November 12–13 in Minneapolis, MN; February 25–26, 2022 in Dallas, TX; April 22–23, 2022 in Augusta, GA
• The Enemy Within: Straight Talk about the Power and Defeat of Sin by Kris Lundgaard

Greg answers questions about submitting to the government, apathetic Christians, spending time with non-believers, attending a local church, why God didn’t destroy the Moabites, and advice for singles.   Topics:

1. Can wisdom ever trump submission to authority when it’s not an issue of morality? (03:00)
2. How do I convince apathetic Christians to do more with their life? (15:00)
3. How much time can we spend with non-believers? (25:00)
4. Is it a biblical command for us to attend a local church? (31:00)
5. Why were the Israelites commanded to destroy the Midianites and not the Moabites in Numbers 31? (42:00)
6. Do you have any advice for people who aren’t expecting to get married? (45:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• STR U Online Training

Related Links:

• Should Your Church Comply With New COVID-19 Orders? Perhaps This Memo Will Help.

Greg talks to Tim about a TikTok video that claims Jesus repented of racism in Mark 7:24–30.   Topics:

1. Commentary: Did Jesus repent of racism? (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Red Pen Logic YouTube channel
• Jesus a Racist? – TikTok video by Brandan Robertson

Greg talks about people declaring “evolution” over things they see without being able to show the pathway of that evolution, then he answers questions about conversing with conspiracy theorists, whether baptism is essential, comforting people whose prayers aren’t answered, and getting a marriage license.   Topics:

1. Commentary: The word “evolution” doesn’t magically explain everything. (00:00)
2. How can we have a productive conversation with a conspiracy theorist? (21:00)
3. Why do people believe baptism isn’t essential? (32:00)
4. How do you comfort somebody whose prayers haven’t been answered? (47:00)
5. Should I not get a marriage license as a protest against the government’s misuse of their authority? (51:00)

Download the mp3...   Mentioned on the Show: 

• Living Waters: Intelligent Design in the Oceans of the Earth – Video

Related Links:

• Why You Should Resist Conspiracy Theories by Aaron Brake

Greg talks about the website of a 13-year-old he met last week, reminds us God uses both big and small efforts to do great things, then answers questions about churches catering to the world and arguments for the resurrection.   Topics:

1. Commentary: You never know the difference your efforts will make. (00:00)
2. Is any attempt of the church to cater to the world problematic in the same way progressive Christianity is problematic? (29:00)
3. What do you consider to be the best arguments for and against the resurrection of Christ? (49:00)

Download the mp3...   Mentioned on the Show: 

• Follow the Proof website
• Red Pen Logic YouTube channel
• STR U Online Training
• Gary Habermas’s books
• Bart Ehrman on the Existence of Jesus 

Related Links:

• Where Did These Minimal Facts about the Resurrection Come From? by Amy Hall

Greg talks to Amy about tips on how and why to memorize larger portions of the Bible.   Topics:

1. Commentary: Thoughts on memorizing the Bible (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Tips for Memorizing a Book of the Bible by Amy Hall

Related Links:

• A Long-Term Plan to Know Your Bible by Amy Hall
• The Rewards of Memorizing a Book of the Bible by Amy Hall

Greg talks to Dan Kimball about his new book, How (Not) to Read the Bible: Making Sense of the Anti-women, Anti-science, Pro-violence, Pro-slavery and Other Crazy-Sounding Parts of Scripture.   Topics:

1. Interview: Dan Kimball – How (Not) to Read the Bible (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Dan Kimball
• How (Not) to Read the Bible: Making Sense of the Anti-women, Anti-science, Pro-violence, Pro-slavery and Other Crazy-Sounding Parts of Scripture by Dan Kimball
• Another Gospel?: A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity by Alisa Childers
• Is God a Moral Monster? by Paul Copan

Related Links:

• Why We’re Not Under the Mosaic Law by Amy Hall
• Should Followers of Christ Observe the Torah? by Amy Hall

Greg continues his advice on what to do if you’re feeling spiritually dry, then he answers a question about what we mean when we say something is inspired.   Topics:

1. Commentary: More on deepening your relationship with God (00:00)
2. What do we mean when we say something is inspired? (26:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Psalm 130:3
• A General Introduction to the Bible by Norman Geisler and William Nix

Related Links:

• A Long-Term Plan to Know Your Bible by Amy Hall
• You Want to Be a Good Apologist? by Amy Hall (on reading the Bible)

Greg talks about how you can deepen your relationship with God, then he answers questions about the difference prayer makes and the difference between God causing vs. allowing things to happen.   Topics:

1. Commentary: What to do when you’re feeling spiritually dry (00:00)
2. Will praying for my daughter make a difference? (34:00)
3. How can I articulate the difference between God causing things to happen and God allowing things to happen? (47:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Reality Student Apologetics Conference in Augusta, Georgia – April 22–23, 2022

Related Links:

• Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God by Timothy Keller
• Enjoy Your Prayer Life by Michael Reeves

Greg continues giving a caller pointers on how to write a book, then he answers questions about whether evolution is a peripheral issue and how to respond to an atheist’s objection to intelligent design probability arguments. Topics:

1. Greg continues talking to a caller about pointers on writing a book (00:00)
2. Is Darwinian evolution as central an issue to Christianity as inerrancy? (21:00)
3. How do I respond to this atheist’s objection to intelligent design probability arguments? (32:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• STR’s Quick Reference App
• STR U Online Training
• Evernote (or OneNote)
• Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe by Stephen Meyer

Greg responds to the investigative report on Ravi Zacharias with advice on how to make sense of fallen spiritual heroes, then he answers questions from a young listener about how to write a good book. Topics:

1. Commentary: Making sense of fallen spiritual heroes (00:00)
2. Do you have pointers on writing a good apologetics book for kids my age? (41:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Open Letter from the International Board of Directors of RZIM on the Investigation of Ravi Zacharias
• Subscribe to Stand to Reason’s monthly training material

Greg talks about the Trinity, answers questions about whether it was appropriate for a Canadian judge to be removed from the bench and whether Christianity could still be true if the universe were eternal, then reflects on God and time and the type of answers we find (and don’t find) in the Bible. Topics:

1. Commentary: Jesus prayed to a person, not a nature. (00:00)
2. Was it appropriate for this judge in Canada to be removed from the bench? (18:00)
3. If the universe were eternal, could Christianity still be true? (30:00)
4. Commentary: Reflections on God and time (40:00)
5. Commentary: Are all the answers in the Bible? (45:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• The Side B Podcast – Jana Harmon
• Red Pen Logic video on the Trinity
• The Trinity: A Solution, Not a Problem Part One and Part Two by Greg Koukl
• God, Time, & Eternity – Lectures by William Lane Craig
• Time and Eternity: Exploring God’s Relationship to Time by William Lane Craig

Greg reflects on what humility is and isn’t, giving practical advice for living in humility, then he answers questions about praying in tongues and reconciling 2 Corinthians 5:17 with membership in Alcoholics Anonymous. Topics:

1. Commentary: Clearing up confusion about humility (00:00)
2. What’s your view on praying in tongues? (35:00)
3. How can I reconcile 2 Corinthians 5:17 and membership in Alcoholics Anonymous? (44:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy (archives here)

Related Links:

• Use Your Knowledge to Serve Others, Not Judge Them by Amy Hall
• Humility Is Needed to See Jesus by Amy Hall
• How People Change by Timothy Lane and Paul David Tripp
• Overcoming Sin and Temptation by John Owen (with footnotes and updated language by editors Kelly Kapic and Justin Taylor)

Greg responds to the question “If God told you to kill someone, would you do it?” then he answers questions about ultimate meaning in an atheistic universe, why we need to repent if Jesus already paid for our sins, and whether the Bible has been changed too much to be trusted. Topics:

1. Commentary: If God told you to kill someone, would you do it? (00:00)
2. Can there be ultimate meaning in an atheistic universe? (19:00)
3. If Jesus paid for the sins of the elect on the cross, why do we need to repent and believe to be forgiven now? (34:00)
4. How do I respond to someone who says the Bible has been changed too much to be trusted? (44:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• The Trinity Explains This – Red Pen Logic video

Related Links:

• “Misquoting” Jesus? Answering Bart Ehrman by Greg Koukl

Greg talks to Corey Miller, president of Ratio Christi, about free speech on university campuses, then he answers questions about eternal punishment for limited sin and whether something existed before the Big Bang. Topics:

1. Interview: Corey Miller, president of Ratio Christi, on the state of free speech on university campuses (00:00)
2. How do we make sense of the idea that a human lifetime of sin justifies eternal separation from God? (30:00)
3. How do we know nothing existed before the Big Bang? (48:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Corey Miller, president of Ratio Christi
• Live Not by Lies by Rod Dreher
• STR U courses (training.str.org)
• Hell Interrupted Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

Greg gives reasons why it’s rational to believe in the soul, explaining the difference between something being rational and rationalism, then he takes calls about how evil entered the world, intersex conditions proving we can choose our gender, answering “Where was God?” and more. Topics:

1. Commentary: Why is it rational to believe in the soul? (00:00)
2. How can humans be the cause of evil in the world if their evil act is the result of being tempted by an already-evil being? (16:00)
3. Does the existence of intersex people prove sex is just a state of mind and one can choose to be male or female? (25:00)
4. How can I answer the question “Where was God?” when asked by a foster youth who was sexually abused? (41:00)
5. Are there any topics other than inerrancy that you wouldn’t discuss directly with an atheist? (51:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• The Soul: How We Know It’s Real and Why It Matters by J.P. Moreland
• The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl

Related Links:

• Intersex People Don’t Prove There Are More Than Two Sexes by Amy Hall
• Don’t Assume We Should Change the Body to Match the Mind by Amy Hall
• When (and Why) Feminism Is Anti-Feminine by Amy Hall
• Christians, You Will Suffer by Amy Hall

Tim joins Greg to talk about a variety of questions regarding faith and science (their compatibility, how they inform each other, miracles, etc.). Topics:

1. Discussion with Tim Barnett: Questions about faith and science (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Red Pen Logic YouTube channel
• RPL video on fetuses being like tapeworms
• Subscribe to Stand to Reason’s monthly training material
• Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World by Tom Holland

Related Links:

• Jesus Built Western Civilization by Amy Hall (quoting Tom Holland)
• We Take Christianity’s Influence on the World for Granted by Amy Hall (includes video of Tom Holland interview)

Greg talks about five things to look for in a Christian college, then he answers questions about universalism, a “too high” view of Scripture, whether Jews and Christians worship the same God, your culpability if a friend uses something you made in pagan ceremonies, and when a fetus becomes a human being. Topics:

1. Commentary: Five things to look for in a Christian college (00:00)
2. Is it better to not exist ever or to exist and be condemned? (17:00)
3. Is it possible to have too high a view of Scripture, where the human element is not considered at all? (28:00)
4. Do Christians and Jews worship the same God? (33:00)
5. Am I culpable if a friend of mine is using an axe I made for him in pagan ceremonies? (43:00)
6. At what point is a fetus a human being and not just a clump of cells? (47:00)
7. Is it a problem that the church our church is renting space from rejects biblical truth? (53:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Live Not by Lies by Rod Dreher
• Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God? by Alan Shlemon
• The Bible Doesn’t Say What He Thinks It Says – Red Pen Logic video about the beginning of human life

Related Links:

• Abortion Advocates Fail Biology Again by Tim Barnett (includes quotes from embryology textbook about the beginning of human life)
• The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture by Scott Klusendorf

Greg talks to Rich Bordner, an English and philosophy teacher, about what he’s seeing in his interactions with his high school students—their worldview, their view of truth and morality, etc. Topics:

1. Interview: Greg talks to Rich Bordner, an English and philosophy teacher, about the worldview of his public high school students. (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Live Not by Lies by Rod Dreher
• The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self by Carl Trueman
• The Daniel Collaborative
• Why Our Children Don’t Think There Are Moral Facts by Justin McBrayer
• Does God Exist? William Lane Craig vs. Christopher Hitchens Debate
• The Social Dilemma documentary

Greg continues a call from the last episode about the rapture, then he answers questions about discrepancies in the Bible, the flood, and responding to the claim that Vishnu and Jesus are the same person. Topics:

1. Continued from the previous episode: What do you think about the pre-trib rapture, and what should I do if I differ with my church and family on this topic? (00:00)
2. Follow-up questions on discrepancies in the Bible and interpreting the account of the flood. (31:00)
3. How should I respond to the claim that Vishnu and Jesus are the same person? (48:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• STR U courses (training.str.org)
• Red Pen Logic YouTube channel
• 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 reflects on what we learn from the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 about law vs. grace, baptism, and decision making, then he answers questions about interacting with a family member who’s a steamroller and the rapture. Topics:

1. Commentary: A close look at Acts 15 (00:00)
2. How should I interact with a family member who’s a steamroller? (32:00)
3. What do you think about the pre-trib rapture, and what should I do if I differ with my church and family on this topic? (48:00)

Related Links:

• The Rap on the Rapture by Greg Koukl
• One Tough Customer by Greg Koukl (on dealing with steamrollers)

Greg talks about making Bible-reading part of your life habits, then he takes calls about biblical inerrancy, brain chemistry vs. one’s soul, praying to Mary, using transgender names and pronouns, and COVID-19. Topics:

1. Commentary: Reading through the Bible isn’t a goal, it’s a lifestyle. (00:00)
2. Do anti-science passages in the Bible prove it’s not inerrant? (06:00)
3. How can I tell the difference between the results of brain chemistry and my soul? (21:00)
4. Is praying to Mary and the saints acceptable because it’s the same as asking people to pray for you? (30:00)
5. Should I use a new transgender name and pronouns for my brother-in-law if my husband wants me to? (39:00)
6. Is fear of COVID-19 a spiritual issue? (50:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Finding Quiet: My Story of Overcoming Anxiety and the Practices that Brought Peace by J.P. Moreland
• Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail Shrier  (Note: Greg confused Abigail Shrier with Amity Shlaes, author of The Forgotten Man.)

Greg talks about our need to grasp the grace of God, then he answers questions about how to respond to charges of homophobia and how to make an argument for biblical inerrancy. Topics:

1. Commentary: The importance of grasping the grace of God (00:00)
2. How can I respond to the charge that Leviticus 20:13 is homophobic and creates homophobia? (28:00)
3. Is it possible to make a case for the inerrancy of the Bible? (46:00)

Using illustrations from apologetics arguments, Greg continues explaining principles of critical thinking that will help you craft better arguments for the truth and spot bad arguments when you hear them (part two of two). Topics:

1. Part Two of Primer on Clear Thinking (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• The S.L.E.D. Test by Alan Shlemon
• Theistic Evolution: Drifting toward Darwin by Greg Koukl

Greg talks about how to recognize spiritual warfare then goes through some principles of critical thinking to help you craft better arguments for the truth and spot bad arguments when you hear them (part one of two). Topics:

1. Part One of Primer on Clear Thinking (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• The Trouble with the Elephant by Greg Koukl

Greg reflects on the Christmas story, Christmas cards, and Christmas carols, then he answers questions about engaging a post-Christian culture, how free will fits into Romans 9:14–23, a struggle with spiritual numbness, and whether people are in Hell by choice and how that can be reconciled with Revelation 5:13. Topics:

1. Commentary: Some Christmas thoughts (00:00)
2. How do we engage a culture where Christianity doesn’t have any social or cultural relevance? (18:00)
3. What are your thoughts on free will and how it fits into the words about Pharaoh in Romans 9:14–23? (32:00)
4. I struggle to be convinced that I'm loved by God and that salvation and grace are there for me. (43:00)
5. If it’s true that everyone in Hell wants to be in Hell (per C.S. Lewis) why would they give “blessing and honor and glory” to God (Rev. 5:13)? (51:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Related Links:

• What are your definitions of free will and choice? – Greg Koukl and Amy Hall on #STRask podcast

Greg offers some perspective at the end of this crazy year, then he answers a question about how to respond to a Christian family member who requests everyone use a male name and pronouns for their five-year-old daughter. Topics:

1. Commentary: Some perspective at the end of a crazy year (00:00)
2. How should I respond to a Christian family member who asked me to use male pronouns and a new male name for their biological girl who just turned five? (32:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Donate to Stand to Reason
• Eternity Is Now: Just Ask Scrooge and George Bailey by Andrew Klavan
• Why the First Hospital to Do Sex-Reassignment Surgeries No Longer Does Them by Amy Hall

Related Links:

• Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail Shrier
• Navigating the Transgender Discussion by Alan Shlemon
• Transgender: Truth and Compassion by Alan Shlemon
• How to Help Transgender Children by Amy Hall
• The Root of the Transgender Debate by Amy Hall

Greg answers questions about how to engage a conspiracy theorist and whether or not it’s appropriate to use the parable of the lost sheep to support a seeker-sensitive church model. Topics:

1. Do you have any tips on how to engage a conspiracy theorist? (04:00)
2. Is it appropriate to use the parable of the lost sheep to argue for a seeker-sensitive church model? (13:00)

Download the mp3... Mentioned on the Show: 

• Donate to Stand to Reason

Related Links:

• Why You Should Resist Conspiracy Theories by Aaron Brake

Greg explains that when it comes to the Holy Spirit’s role vs. our role in kingdom work, the formula is 100% God and 100% man, then he answers a question about Abraham insisting on paying for the field to bury his wife. Topics:

1. Commentary: Kingdom work is 100% God and 100% man. (00:00)
2. In Genesis 23, why did Abraham insist on paying for the field, and why is this story important? (39:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Donate to Stand to Reason
• Is “All of God and None of Me” Biblical Guidance for Sharing Christ? by Greg Koukl

Greg recommends books in a well-rounded variety of categories that you ought to have in your library, then he responds to questions about how to properly use the accountability process in Matthew 18, whether Mark 16:9–20 should be in the Bible, and what we should do to reach out to famous people who are lost. Topics:

1. Commentary: The seven books you should have in your library (00:00)
2. What’s the proper way to use the accountability process prescribed in Matthew 18? (26:00)
3. Should Mark 16:9–20 be in the Bible? (44:00)
4. What should we do (if anything) to reach out to famous people who are lost? (54:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy (archives here)
• Intro to Christianity (Option 1): Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
• Intro to Christianity (Option 2): The Story of Reality by Greg Koukl
• Theological reference: Christian Theology by Millard Erickson
• Basic apologetics book (Option 1): I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Frank Turek and Norman Geisler
• Basic apologetics book (Option 2): Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig
• Devotional: The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions
• Practical engagement: Tactics by Greg Koukl
• Personal spiritual growth: The Enemy Within: Straight Talk about the Power and Defeat of Sin by Kris Lundgaard
• Bible study: How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart

Related Links:

• Become a prayer partner with someone working in the film industry through the Hollywood Prayer Network.
• Pray for people listed on MasterMedia’s Media Leader Prayer Calendar

Greg talks about how, when you’re unable to improve your life as you hoped, it's satisfying to know you can still make deposits that have an eternal significance, then he answers questions about the morality of political assassinations and whether there are “lost” books of the Bible. Topics:

1. Commentary: You can always make deposits that have an eternal significance. (00:00)
2. What are the biblical principles regarding political assassinations? (31:00)
3. How do I respond to the charge that there are lost books of the Bible? (46:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• No “Lost” Books by Greg Koukl

Greg talks about three features of the world that any worldview would need to explain: the world exists, the world is ordered, the world is broken, then he answers a question about how to respond to three challenges to the reliability and trustworthiness of the Bible. Topics:

1. Commentary: The three things your worldview needs to explain. (00:00)
2. How should I respond to these three challenges to the reliability and trustworthiness of the Bible? (27:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Leibniz’s Contingency Argument
• The Privileged Planet by Jay Richards and Guillermo Gonzalez
• The Creeds of Christendom by Philip Schaff

Greg explains why we should give thanks in all circumstances, then he answers a question about how churches should think about the government restrictions being placed on them. Topics:

1. Commentary: Why give thanks this year? (00:00)
2. What are your thoughts on the government weighing in on what churches can or can't do right now? (28:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Should We Cancel Thanksgiving This Year? by Alan Shlemon
• STR U Courses
• The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates by Matthew J. Trewhella

Related Links:

• Should Your Church Comply With New COVID-19 Orders? Perhaps This Memo Will Help.

Greg talks about divine foreknowledge then answers questions about tactics used with LDS (Mormon) missionaries and whether there’s anything God promises to give Christians in this life. Topics:

1. Commentary: Divine foreknowledge is not the same thing as omniscience. (00:00)
2. What do you think about this tactic I used with LDS (Mormon) missionaries? (25:00)
3. Is there anything God promises to give Christians in this life? (47:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Moroni 10:4–5 – LDS test for the truth of the Book of Mormon
• Deity of Christ: Case Closed by Greg Koukl

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

Greg talks about the explanatory power of Christianity vs. that of naturalism, then he responds to questions about balancing spiritual development with professional development and God placing people in situations where he knows they will choose him. Topics:

1. Commentary: The explanatory power of Christianity vs. naturalism (00:00)
2. How do I balance working on my relationship with God with working on my professional skills? (28:00)
3. Does God put everyone in the place where they are most likely to choose him? (48:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Money, Greed, and God: The Christian Case for Free Enterprise by Jay Richards
• My Son, My Dear Son, Has Gone To Be With the Lord by Tim Challies

Greg answers questions about whether or not the Reformation has been good for Christendom, how to respond to the charge that God’s morality has changed, and hearing the voice of God. Topics:

1. Has the Reformation truly been good for Christendom? (04:00)
2. How can I respond to someone who says he can’t believe in a God whose morality changes from the Old Testament to the New Testament? (26:00)
3. If we hear God’s voice calling us to salvation, is that the only time we hear it? (50:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Red Pen Logic YouTube channel
• Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Greg and Tim respond to an article that says Christians either rest their faith on science and risk having science disprove Christianity, or they “just believe” and don’t ground their worldview in evidence. Topics:

1. Commentary: The role of science for Christians (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Reality Student Apologetics Conference – November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN
• Christianity’s Immovable Rock vs. Its Irresistible Force by Bob Seidensticker (article critiqued by Greg and Tim)

Greg discusses how to explain God’s final judgment and Hell to others, then he answers questions about how one can be a therapist and not enable sin in clients who have different values and an objection to fine-tuning. Topics:

1. Commentary: If there’s no judgment, there’s no justice. (00:00)
2. How can one be a therapist as a Christian and not end up in a position where one is enabling sin in clients who have different values? (27:00)
3. How would you respond to the objection to fine-tuning that says it’s not surprising we’re here because we could only observe everything if we were here? (50:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy (archives here)
• Reality Student Apologetics Conference – November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN
• Hell Interrupted Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3
• Live Not by Lies – Essay by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
• Live Not by Lies – Book by Rod Dreher

Greg talks about his experience voting then answers a question about free will vs. predestination. Topics:

1. Commentary: Greg’s experience voting (00:00)
2. Which is correct: free will or predestination? (26:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Reality Student Apologetics Conference – November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN

Related Links:

• Explaining Free Will and Calvinism by Greg Koukl
• “Forced Love” Is the Wrong Way to Look at It by Amy Hall
• What are your definitions of free will and choice? – Greg Koukl and Amy Hall on #STRask podcast

Greg touches on the confirmation of Amy Coney Barett, then he answers a question about whether a purely physical being could come up with the idea of a spiritual being and whether we might sin in Heaven. Topics:

1. Commentary: The confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett (00:00)
2. Is it fair to say it’s unlikely that a purely physical being that came about through evolution would come up with the idea of a spiritual being? (24:00)
3. If angels could be disobedient to God in Heaven, does that mean we might do the same? (41:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Reality Student Apologetics Conference – November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN
• Francis A. Schaeffer Trilogy

Greg talks to philosopher William Lane Craig about his newest book, Atonement and the Death of Christ: An Exegetical, Historical, and Philosophical Exploration. Topics:

1. Interview: William Lane Craig – Atonement and the Death of Christ (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• William Lane Craig
• Reasonable Faith – William Lane Craig’s organization
• Atonement and the Death of Christ: An Exegetical, Historical, and Philosophical Exploration by William Lane Craig
• The Story of Reality by Greg Koukl