Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

Differences Between Protestants and Catholics

Greg talks to callers about differences between Protestants and Catholics, whether Jesus ever told people to worship him, how to tell if an experience was spiritual, emotional, or demonic, whether or not Greg is a cessationist and why, and how to reach nominal Christians.

 

Topics:

1. Can you explain the differences between Protestants and Catholics? (00:00)
2. Did Jesus ever tell people to worship him? (15:00)
3. Is this sensation I’m experiencing something spiritual, something emotional, or something demonic? (28:00)
4. Are you a cessationist, and what is the reasoning behind your position? (38:00)
5. How do I reach nominal Christians? (50:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Was Jesus Worshiped? by Greg Koukl
• Decision Making and the Will of God: What the Bible Doesn’t Say
• Decision Making and the Will of God: The Biblical Model
• STR Outposts

Related Links:

• The “Gospel for Believers” in 3 Quick Verses by Greg Koukl
• Did Jesus Receive Worship? by Tim Barnett
• Another Claim to Deity? by Amy Hall
• Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 (online articles) by Greg Koukl

What Is Humility?

Greg talks about the nature and importance of humility, then he answers questions about whether we can determine which writings are Scripture just by looking at those writings and whether the fact that the Catholic church chose the canon is evidence of their authority.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: What is humility? (00:00)
2. Can we determine which writings are Scripture just by looking at those writings, and since the Catholic Church was the first to recognize the books of the Bible, shouldn’t that mean they are the ones with authority? (34:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 13–14 in Los Angeles, CA; October 18–19 in Seattle, WA; November 8–9 in Minneapolis, MN; February 21–22, 2025 in Dallas, TX; March 21–22, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA

Related Links:

• Is Sola Scriptura Self-Refuting?

The Bible Doesn’t Have a Second-Level Spiritual Meaning

Greg responds to the idea that the Bible has a second-level spiritual meaning you have to find, then he answers questions about “once saved, always saved,” apologetics in the evangelical church, and what it means to number our days if we’re already either elect or non-elect.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: The Bible doesn’t have a second-level spiritual meaning. (00:00)
2. What does the Bible have to say about the doctrine of “once saved, always saved”? (23:00)
3. Do you think there’s a lack of apologetics in the evangelical church today? (37:00)
4. Why should we number our days if we’re already either elect or non-elect? How can we have a healthy fear of the Lord if we believe Calvinism is true? (42:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Submit a question on the Open Mic Line
• Grace Defined and Defended: What a 400-Year-Old Confession Teaches Us about Sin, Salvation, and the Sovereignty of God by Kevin DeYoung

Related Links:

• Silly Putty Bible Study by Greg Koukl

Don’t Presume You Know God’s Intentions

Greg responds to the claims Christians are making about the failed assassination of Trump, then he talks to callers about moral vs. political issues, talking to LDS missionaries, having peace about lost loved ones, and loving LDS neighbors when you’re angry about harm caused by their religion.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: Don’t presume you know God’s intentions. (00:00)
2. What is the difference between a moral issue and a political issue? (20:00)
3. What should I say to Mormon missionaries who still want to talk to me after hearing my objections to Mormonism? (30:00)
4. When we’re in Heaven and know fully, will we have peace about our friends and family members who rejected the gospel? (46:00)
5. How can I love my Mormon neighbors when I’m angry about their false religion hurting my family? (51:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Is Mormonism Just Another Christian Denomination? by Greg Koukl

Related Links:

• Who Is the God of Mormonism? by Amy Hall
• Verses for Your Conversations with Mormons by Amy Hall
• Is It Possible Some Mormons Are Saved? by Amy Hall

Nothing Is Wrong with the World if There Is No God

Greg talks about why atheists can’t say something is wrong with the world, then he answers questions about children going to Heaven, a good Bible for New Agers, repeating numbers in the Bible, medication in the Bible, and whether the church is really the “bride of Christ.”

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: Nothing is wrong with the world if there is no God. (00:00)
2. If children die before the age of accountability, do they go to Heaven? (05:00)
3. Can you recommend a Bible for someone who has been affected by New Age beliefs? (13:00)
4. How do I respond to those who say the Bible seems less true because there are so many repeating numbers in it? (33:00)
5. How does the Bible address the use of medication and pharmacies? (39:00)
6. Is the church really the “bride of Christ”? (49:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Challenges by Greg Koukl
• When a Baby Dies by Ronald Nash
• STR U Online Training
• Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 13–14 in Los Angeles, CA; October 18–19 in Seattle, WA; November 8–9 in Minneapolis, MN; February 21–22, 2025 in Dallas, TX; March 21–22, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA

The Surprise of Death

Greg reflects on the surprise of death and the surprise of what many will experience on the other side, then he talks to callers about whether mental illnesses exist and whether dispensational and Reformed views teach the same gospel.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: The surprise of death (00:00)
2. Do mental illnesses exist? (26:00)
3. Do dispensational and Reformed views teach the same gospel? (44:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Is the Bible Sufficient? by Greg Koukl
• Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey
• The Bible: Fast Forward – DVD (Also available as a digital download)

Will Steak Be on the Menu in Heaven?

Greg answers questions about whether steak will be on the menu in Heaven, a Christian high school requiring students to use the Enneagram in a class, and questions to ask a New Ager who is big on “spirituality” but doesn’t like the cross or the forgiveness of sins.

 

Topics:

1. Will steak be on the menu in Heaven? (02:00)
2. How would you approach staff at a Christian high school where students are required to take a “life calling” class that uses the Enneagram? (29:00)
3. What questions should I ask a New Ager who is big on “spirituality” but doesn’t like the cross and the concept of the forgiveness of sins? (40:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Become a Strategic Partner
• Melissa Dougherty
• Not God’s Type by Holly Ordway

There’s No Silver Bullet

Greg talks about how some questions about how to reach people are just hard to figure out, then he answers questions about who created God, using apologetics with someone who is mentally ill and hostile towards Christianity, and the best way to do corporate prayer.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: There’s no silver bullet. (00:00)
2.  If the universe had to have a cause, then who created God? (17:00)
3. How do you recommend using apologetics with someone who is mentally ill and hostile towards Christianity? (37:00)
4. Do you have any thoughts on the best way to do corporate prayer so that it’s more effective and joyful? (48:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Become a Strategic Partner
• Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Challenges by Greg Koukl
• The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl

Related Links:

• Who Created God? by Amy Hall
• A Simple Explanation of the Cosmological Argument by Amy Hall
• Why You Shouldn’t Lose Heart When Prayer Is Difficult by Amy Hall (quoting John Newton)
• Prayer Begins with Hope in God by Amy Hall

How to Be a Good Ambassador for Christ to Muslims

Guest Host: Alan Shlemon

 

Alan Shlemon talks about how to be a good ambassador for Christ to Muslims, the largest unreached people group on the planet, explaining their foundational objection to Christianity and how to address it, three things you need to engage them, and more.

 

Topics:

1. Our identity and job as ambassadors for Christ (00:00)
2. Step one: Learn about Islam (12:00)
3. The three primary authoritative sources in Islam (14:00)
4. Muslim views on Jesus and jihad (22:00)
5. Step two: Engage Muslims—three things you need (38:00)
6. How to respond to the foundational objection that the Bible is corrupted (39:00)
7. Who the real enemy is and what our job is (48:00)
8. Q&A (50:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• A Closer Look at Islam by Alan Shlemon
• The Life of Muhammad by Ibn Ishaq
• The Ambassador’s Guide to Islam by Alan Shlemon

Related Links:

• Jihad and War in Islam and Christianity by Alan Shlemon
• How to Reach Your Muslim Neighbor by Alan Shlemon
• The Cross Is Good News for Muslims by Alan Shlemon

How Do We Connect with God in a Way That’s Biblically Sound?

Greg responds to a request for advice on how to move from a “listening for the voice of God” view to connecting with God in a way that’s biblically sound, discussing stages of Christian maturity and explaining how God matures Christians through suffering.

 

Topics:

1. What advice would you give to someone who’s transitioning from a “listening for the voice of God” view to connecting with God in a way that is biblically sound? (01:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• The Ambassador’s Guide to the Voice of God (booklet) by Greg Koukl
• Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 (online articles) by Greg Koukl
• Newton on the Christian Life by Tony Reinke
• A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
• Newton on How You Can Be Deceived While Reading the Bible by Amy Hall
• Meaningful Suffering by Amy Hall (includes the hymn by John Newton on God’s use of suffering to mature Christians)

Related Links:

• Why You Shouldn’t Lose Heart When Prayer Is Difficult by Amy Hall (quoting John Newton)
• God’s Amazing Grace Could Only Have Been Revealed in a Fallen World by Amy Hall (on John Newton’s life)