Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

The God of Scripture Has Always Been Narrow

Greg talks about the narrowness of the way of salvation and the idea that zeal and sincerity aren’t enough, then he answers questions about William Lane Craig’s new book on the historical Adam.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: The God of Scripture has always been narrow. (00:00)
2. What do you think about William Lane Craig’s new book? (34:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• In Quest of the Historical Adam: A Biblical and Scientific Exploration by William Lane Craig

We Know What the World Is Supposed to Be Like Because God Tells Us

Greg responds to an article about a local youth pastor who came out as gay, then he answers a question about making a case to an agnostic that the Bible is accurate and gives a caller advice about becoming an apologist.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: We know what the world is supposed to be like because God tells us. (00:00)
2. How do you make a case to an agnostic that the Bible is accurate? (26:00)
3. Can you recommend an educational path for becoming an apologist? (46:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy (archives here)
• Church youth leader talks about coming out, finding God – Thousand Oaks Acorn
• Faithfulness Is Not Theologically Complicated by Greg Koukl
• Bloom Where You’re Planted by Greg Koukl

Related Links:

• For the Student Who Wants to Be a Christian Apologist by Amy Hall
• Advice on Becoming an Apologetics Speaker by Amy Hall

Greg Introduces Robby Lashua and the Upcoming STR Outposts

Greg introduces our newest speaker, Robby Lashua, and they talk about the new STR “outposts” Robby will be creating in churches later this year. 

 

Topics:

1. Interview: Greg introduces Robby Lashua and the upcoming STR “outposts.” (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• 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; March 25–26, 2022 in Philadelphia, PA; April 22–23, 2022 in Augusta, GA

A Word about Bible Reading

Greg encourages listeners to start reading the Bible all the way through, even if it takes longer than a year, then he answers questions about whether the definition of “evangelical” is too broad, whether Genesis 6:3 applies to today, and why people doubt.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: A word about Bible reading (00:00)
2. Is the definition of “evangelical” too broad, and if so, should we narrow it? (20:00)
3. Does the verse in Genesis saying that “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever” apply to today? (37:00)
4. Why does a person doubt? (46:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• STR U Online Training
• Greg’s Bible reading plan (from Discipleship Journal)

Related Links:

• Bible Box - Great (iOS) app to help you set goals and check off chapters as you're reading through the Bible.
• The Thomas Factor: Using Your Doubts to Draw Closer to God by Gary Habermas (available online for free)

The Most Important Thing Followers of Christ Need to Know

Greg discusses a pitfall to avoid when reading and interpreting the Bible, talks about the necessity and beauty of the unmerited grace of God, answers a question about the saying “Preach the gospel; use words if necessary,” then chats with a caller about how he became a Christian.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: The most important thing followers of Christ need to know (00:00)
2. What do you think of the saying “Preach the gospel; use words if necessary”? (30:00)
3. A caller tells the story of how he became a Christian. (43:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Never Read a Bible Verse by Greg Koukl
• 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; March 25–26, 2022 in Philadelphia, PA; April 22–23, 2022 in Augusta, GA
• STR U Online Training
• Confessions of a French Atheist: How God Hijacked My Quest to Disprove the Christian Faith by Guillaume Bignon

The Meaning of Christmas vs. the Spirit of Christmas

Greg reflects on why it’s hard for him to get into “the spirit of Christmas,” then he answers questions about responding to someone who says he’s a good person and how to distinguish between the power of the tongue talked about in the Bible and the New Age “Law of Attraction,” chats with Tim about a Christmas-related challenge, and closes with some more thoughts on Christmas.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: The meaning of Christmas vs. the spirit of Christmas (00:00)
2. What are some good evangelistic questions to ask someone who says he’ll handle any future bullying he suffers on his own because he’s a good person? (18:00)
3. How do you distinguish between the power of the tongue talked about in the Bible and the “Law of Attraction” in the New Age movement? (29:00)
4. If our Christmas traditions have pagan roots, should we not celebrate Christmas? (38:00)
5. A Christmas reading from The Story of Reality (50:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Red Pen Logic – YouTube, Instagram, TikTok
• The Man Who Invented Christmas – Film

Related Links:

• A Very Pagan Christmas? by Jon Noyes

Is Christianity an Oppressive Religion?

Greg talks about what you have to look forward to from Stand to Reason in 2022, then he answers questions about responding to the ideas that all whites are racist and Christianity is an oppressive religion and how to explain why good people in other religions go to Hell.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: Here’s what you have to look forward to from Stand to Reason in 2022. (00:00)
2. How would you respond to these two objections: 1) All whites are inherently racist, and 2) Christianity is an oppressive religion? (17:00)
3. How can I explain to someone why good people in other religions go to Hell? (49:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• STR U Online Training
• Red Pen Logic – YouTube, Instagram, TikTok
• Donate to Stand to Reason
• Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice by Thaddeus Williams
• Social Justice, Critical Theory, and Christianity: Are They Compatible? by Neil Shenvi (video version here)
• Engaging Critical Theory & The Social Justice Movement – Booklet by Neil Shenvi and Pat Sawyer

Are Your Questions Seeking Answers or Exits?

Greg talks to Tim Barnett about a book he’s reading by progressive Christians about deconstructing one’s faith, then they answer questions about Jeff Durbin and reconciling the Christmas stories.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: Are your questions seeking answers or exits? (00:00)
2. Jeff Durbin’s approach sometimes sounds similar to yours. Do you know each other? (40:00)
3. How do you reconcile the two Christmas stories? (45:00)

Tim Barnett Joins Greg on the Show

Tim Barnett joins Greg on the show and they chat about Reality and Red Pen Logic, then they answer a question about what Greg means by “silly prayers” and hear a report from a caller on his meeting with his pastors about their “hearing God’s voice” workshop.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: Tim Barnett joins Greg on the show. (00:00)
2. Can you explain what you mean by “silly prayers” and give an example? (29:00)
3. A report back on a meeting with church leaders about their planned workshop on hearing God’s voice (42:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy (archives here)
• Interview: Josh Brahm – Responding to “My Body, My Choice”
• 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; March 25–26, 2022 in Philadelphia, PA; April 22–23, 2022 in Augusta, GA
• Red Pen Logic – YouTube, Instagram, TikTok
• “Just, Just, Father, Father” – Tim Hawkins

A Response to “Jesus Gave up His Weekend for Your Sins”

Greg answers a question about knowing the person you’re dating is really the opposite sex, takes a follow-up call about a situation where a friend announced his daughter was transitioning to a boy, then reads a note from a listener and responds to a meme that says Jesus “gave up his weekend for your sins.”

 

Topics:

1. In this day and age, how can a Christian know for sure they’re dating someone of the opposite sex? (02:00)
2. A caller updates Greg on a situation where a friend on Facebook announced his daughter was transitioning to a boy. (08:00)
3. A note from a listener about her love for her Bible (34:00)
4. Commentary: A response to “Jesus gave up his weekend for your sins.” (37:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail Shrier
• 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; March 25–26, 2022 in Philadelphia, PA; April 22–23, 2022 in Augusta, GA