Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

Why Protestants Are Attracted to Catholicism

Greg and Jon Noyes discuss why protestants are attracted to Catholicism, then they answer questions about concerns about a small-group study, recommended resources, and how to keep someone on track when discussing the moral argument.

Topics:

1. Commentary: Why protestants are attracted to Catholicism (00:00)

2. How can I address concerns about a small group study on Jonah that’s man-centered and advocates hearing the voice of God? (22:00)

3. Can you recommend a resource for a non-hostile, open atheist and one for someone in AA who believes in a higher power? (32:00)

4. When talking about the moral argument, how can I keep someone on track who keeps getting distracted by an emotional reaction to the problem of evil? (47:00)

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Mentioned on the Show:

• Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

• More Than a Carpenter by Josh and Sean McDowell

• On Guard by William Lane Craig

• The Ambassador’s Guide to the New Atheists by Greg Koukl

• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

• The Story of Reality by Greg Koukl

• Not God’s Type by Holly Ordway

• Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers

• reTHINK Apologetics Student Conference – February 28–29 in Dallas, TX; April 24–25 in Birmingham, AL

Objections to the Harvester vs. Gardener Approach

Tim challenges Greg with objections to the harvester vs. gardener approach to evangelism, then they take calls about the attraction to Catholicism, the Kansas City Prophets, cessationism, and reviving zeal for apologetics.

Topics:

1. Commentary: Objections to the harvester vs. gardener approach (00:00)

2. What attracts intellectual Christians to Catholicism? (22:00)

3. How can I help a friend who is caught up in the Kansas City Prophets movement? (34:00)

4. How should I respond to a friend who said I was a religious sensationalist (or did he mean cessationist)? (42:00)

5. How can I revive my zeal for apologetics? (49:00)

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Mentioned on the Show:

• You Might Be a Gardener by Tim Barnett

• Harvester or Gardener? by Greg Koukl

• God’s Super-Apostles by Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec

• A New Apostolic Reformation? by Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec

The Death of Kobe Bryant

Greg and Tim reflect on the death of Kobe Bryant and then take calls on polygamy in the Old Testament and Trinitarian worship in the church.

Topics:

1. Commentary: The death of Kobe Bryant (00:00)

2. Why did God allow polygamy in the Old Testament? (25:00)

3. What are your thoughts on how worship in the church can be more Trinitarian? (42:00)

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Bad Arguments Christians Use to Justify Abortion

Greg talks about bad arguments Christians use to justify abortion, and then he responds to questions about Hebrews 6, giving to the local church vs. a parachurch organization, being a believer vs. a disciple, and responding to the idea that science disproves Christianity.

Topics:

1. Commentary: Bad arguments Christians use to justify abortion (00:00)

2. What is your understanding of the statement in Hebrews 6:4–8 that says it’s “impossible to renew them again to repentance”? (13:00)

3. Do we have a responsibility to give to our local church rather than parachurch organizations? (29:00)

4. Can one receive salvation from Christ but not be a disciple? (41:00)

5. How would you respond to a non-believer who keeps falling back on the idea that science disproves Christianity? (51:00)

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Mentioned on the Show:

• Women in Apologetics Conference: La Mirada, CA – January 24–25, 2020 (a livestream option is available)

• Precious Unborn Human Persons – On sale until the end of the month

• Is Abortion before Implantation Biblically Permissible? by Alan Shlemon

Related Links:

• Does Human Life Begin When We Take Our First Breath? by Amy Hall

• Does the Bible Teach That Life Begins at First Breath? by Tim Barnett

• Greg’s answer to the Hebrews 6 question on a previous episode of #STRask

Four Categories of Reasons Why People Reject the Gospel

Greg discusses four categories of reasons why people reject the gospel, then he answers questions about the Trinity and how to reach out to friends who converted to Catholicism.

Topics:

1. Commentary: Four categories of reasons why people reject the gospel (00:00)

2. Can you recommend resources for research on the Trinity? (30:00)

3. Do you have any advice for reaching out to friends who have converted to Catholicism? (50:00)

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Mentioned on the Show:

• Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers

• reTHINK Apologetics Student Conference – February 28–29 in Dallas, TX; April 24–25 in Birmingham, AL

• The Trinity: A Solution, Not a Problem – CD

• The Trinity: A Solution, Not a Problem Part 1 and Part 2

• The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything by Fred Sanders

• Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves

Do We Have the Authority to Cast Out Demons?

Greg answers questions about overpopulation, biblical ideas in popular culture, casting out demons, what God thinks of blind faith, and hypnotherapy.

Topics:

1. What do you think about the concern about overpopulation? (05:00)

2. What do you think about entertainment media using biblical themes and concepts in their stories for their own purposes? (16:00)

3. Do we all have the same authority the apostles had to cast out demons? (30:00)

4. What are the implications of having blind faith, and what does God think of that kind of faith? (43:00)

5. What do you think about hypnotherapy? (49:00)

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Mentioned on the Show:

• Stand to Reason Instagram

• Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers

• reTHINK Apologetics Student Conference – February 28–29 in Dallas, TX; April 24–25 in Birmingham, AL

• #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy

• Knowing the Facts about Hypnosis and Hypnotic Regression by John Weldon

Are Tactics Manipulative and Impersonal?

Greg responds to the objection that a tactical approach is manipulative and impersonal, then he answers questions about books to get started in apologetics and theistic evolution.

Topics:

1. Commentary: Are tactics manipulative and impersonal? (00:00)

2. Do you have any recommendations for books to get started in apologetics? (29:00)

3. What is theistic evolution, and why is it wrong? (43:00)

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Mentioned on the Show:

• reTHINK Apologetics Student Conference – February 28–29 in Dallas, TX; April 24–25 in Birmingham, AL

• Stand to Reason Instagram

• Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers

• Unbelievable? podcast

• I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Frank Turek

• Thinking about God: First Steps in Philosophy by Greg Ganssle

• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

• The Story of Reality by Greg Koukl

Related Links:

• Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique – Edited by Stephen Meyer, J.P. Moreland, etc.

The Upcoming Women in Apologetics Conference

Greg talks to Krista Bontrager about the Women in Apologetics Conference then answers questions about explaining why homosexuality is wrong, the Trinity during the crucifixion, and eating meat.

Topics:

1. Commentary: The upcoming Women in Apologetics Conference (00:00)

2. Is it possible to explain why homosexuality is wrong without using the Bible? (23:00)

3. How could the triune God remain intact throughout Christ’s crucifixion? (40:00)

4. If God told you to eat children, would you do it? (48:00)

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Mentioned on the Show:

• Women in Apologetics Conference: La Mirada, CA – January 24–25, 2020 (a livestream option is available)

• Krista Bontrager’s Theology Mom YouTube channel

• Lights In the Sky & Little Green Men: A Rational Christian Look at UFOs and Extraterrestrials by Hugh Ross and Kenneth Samples

• Mama Bear Apologetics

• Natasha Crain: Christian Mom Thoughts

42.4 Million Babies Killed by Abortion in 2019

Greg talks about abortion and Michelle Williams’ speech at the Golden Globes, then he answers questions about moral issues with clinical trials, relationship advice, and children taking communion.

Topics:

1. Commentary: 42.4 million babies were killed by abortion in 2019. (00:00)

2. Is it morally wrong to participate as a nurse in a clinical trial where the medication might have harmful effects on the patients? (26:00)

3. Do you have any advice for being in a relationship with someone who has different values? (33:00)

4. Should children be allowed to take communion? (49:00)

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Mentioned on the Show:

• 42.4M Babies Killed by Abortion in 2019; Here's What's Ahead for US Abortion Laws in 2020 by Brandon Showalter

• Read Michelle Williams’ Powerful Speech about Choice by Chloe Melas

• David Wood’s review of the new edition of Tactics

The Dark Irony of Christmas Carols

Greg talks about people unknowingly extolling the virtues of Christ through Christmas carols, then he answers questions about whether people who have died can hear us, what it means to desire spiritual gifts, a quote by Patrick Henry, and what “elohim” refers to in Psalm 82.

Topics:

1. Commentary: The dark irony of Christmas carols (00:00)

2. Can those who have died hear us speak to them? Is it okay to occasionally ask God to communicate your love to a deceased loved one? (20:00)

3. What does it mean to “earnestly desire the spiritual gifts” (1 Cor. 12:31 and 14:1), and how do we follow this imperative? (34:00)

4. A quote by Patrick Henry about reading the Bible (45:00)

5. What does “elohim” refer to in Psalm 82? (52:00)

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Mentioned on the Show:

• Donate to STR by the end of December and receive a free signed copy of Tactics

• A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken

• The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible by Michael Heiser