Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

What Is Truth?

Greg talks about the difference between mind-dependent and object-dependent truth (and why it matters).

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: What is truth? (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air by Greg Koukl and Francis Beckwith
• Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl

Is It Impossible for There Not to Be a God?

Greg responds to questions about whether it’s impossible for there not to be a God, why he would declare secular moral theories are false, Adam’s belly button, libertarian free will, salvation in all denominations, and the fine-tuning argument.

 

Topics:

1. Would you say it’s not possible for there not to be a God? (00:00)
2. Must the God that exists be your God? (25:00)
3. Why would you declare secular moral theories are false? (30:00)
4. Did Adam and Eve have a belly button? (37:00)
5. What is your view of determinism as opposed to libertarian free will? (39:00)
6. Do people of all denominations go to Heaven? (45:00)
7. The fine-tuning argument is like shuffling cards and getting a random combination. (48:00) 

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Tactics by Greg Koukl

Related Links:

• “Forced Love” Is the Wrong Way to Look at It by Amy Hall

Why Are Christians Foundering on Fundamentals?

Christians should be clear on the clear teachings of Scripture, even when the culture is telling us something different. As Paul says in Colossians 2:8, “See to it that no one takes you captive through [human] philosophy and empty deception.” 

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: Why are Christians foundering on fundamentals? (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Faithfulness Is Not Theologically Complicated by Greg Koukl
• The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl
• Jesus, the Only Way: 100 Verses by Greg Koukl

Why Students Fall Away

Greg answers a question about Neanderthals interbreeding with humans, then he talks about reasons why students fall away and what we should do about it.

 

Topics:

1. What is your opinion on the idea of Neanderthals interbreeding with humans? (05:00)
2. Commentary: Why students fall away (22:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 25–26 in Orange County, CA; October 16–17 in Seattle, WA; November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN; February 26–27 in Dallas, TX
• The Discovery Institute
• Flight: The Genius of Birds DVD

Our Responsibility as Christ’s Ambassadors Is Clear

Greg talks about our need to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly, then he answers questions about God using tragedies, the church’s use of Song of Songs, and praying through a house.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: Our responsibility as Christ’s ambassadors is clear. (00:00)
2. God can use tragic things to bring people to Himself. (11:00)
3. What do you think about churches using Song of Songs to describe our individual walks with God? (24:00)
4. What are your thoughts on bringing a stranger in to pray through a house? (44:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Do Justice, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with Our God by Greg Koukl
• Red Pen Logic with Mr. B

The Effects of Worldview on Suicide

Guest Host: Jonathan Noyes

 

Jon talks about the effects of worldview on suicide then answers a question about loving as Jesus loves and talks about evil and the atheist worldview.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: The effects of worldview on suicide (00:00)
2. What's the difference between loving your neighbor as yourself and loving as Jesus loves? (26:00)
3. Commentary: Evil and the atheist worldview (46:00)

We Need to Live out the Radical Love of Jesus

Guest Host: Jonathan Noyes

 

Jon talks about the need for the church to represent Jesus well by loving well right now, then he answers questions about the moral argument and how to convey love.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: We need to live out the radical love of Jesus. (00:00)
2. Does this challenge defeat the moral argument? (25:00)
3. How can we convey a better love to our culture that’s turning to violence? (37:00)

Tips for Sharing and Defending the Christian Worldview

Guest Host: J. Warner Wallace

 

J. Warner Wallace gives tips for sharing and defending the Christian worldview, gives advice for moving your ministry forward, and answers a question about inspiration.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: Tips for sharing and defending the Christian worldview (00:00)
2. Commentary: Change your ministry by changing your calendar. (26:00)
3. What is the difference between God speaking a message through someone and Scripture? (41:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• J. Warner Wallace
• Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels by J. Warner Wallace

Justice, Law, and Morality

Guest Host: J. Warner Wallace

 

J. Warner Wallace talks about justice and law requiring objective morality then answers questions about penal substitutionary atonement in today’s courts, prophecies in other religions, classical vs. presuppositional apologetics, and predestination.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: Justice, law, and morality (00:00)
2. Would penal substitutionary atonement work in a court of law today? (22:00)
3. Why do prophecies come to pass in other religions if they aren’t true? (29:00)
4. Which school of apologetics is the most effective—classical or presuppositional? (35:00)
5. Is the parable of the sower an argument for predestination? (45:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• J. Warner Wallace
• Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels by J. Warner Wallace

Questions about Old Earth vs. Young Earth

Greg helps a caller evaluate some old earth vs. young earth arguments then answers questions about arguing for the truth with feelings-focused people and smoking THC.

 

Topics:

1. If the earth is old, why isn’t there more sediment and salt in the oceans? (02:00)
2. How could there be death before Adam? (15:00)
3. Is it worth arguing for the truth with people who are more focused on feelings than truth? (31:00)
4. Is there an issue with smoking THC for PTSD? (46:00)