Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

We Gather, We Scatter, We Bloom

Greg gives encouragement to a caller from Costa Rica, answers a questions about using expletives, and then talks about making the best of the opportunities right in front of you.

 

Topics:

1. Do you have any encouragement to give the body of Christ in Costa Rica as we’re feeling defeated over same-sex marriage? (02:00)
2. Is it wrong to use an expletive if it’s not in a demeaning way? (21:00)
3. Commentary: We gather, we scatter, we bloom. (40:00)

A Conversation with Frank Turek

Greg chats with Frank Turek about the upcoming CrossExamined Instructor Academy then answers questions about natural medicine and why the moral law would necessitate a moral law giver.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: A conversation with Frank Turek (00:00)
2. Could some natural medicine practices be considered sorcery? (26:00)
3. Does the existence of a moral law necessitate the existence of a moral law giver? (40:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Frank Turek
• CrossExamined Instructor Academy – August 6–8 in Plano, TX
• Red Pen Logic with Mr. B
• #STRask podcast

What if a Christian Commits Suicide?

Greg responds to the idea that a Christian who commits suicide can’t be saved, then he answers questions about balancing human life and risk, Jewish objections to Jesus, Genesis 1–11, and more.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: What if a Christian commits suicide? (00:00)
2. How, in a biblical worldview, do you balance human life with risk? (23:00)
3. How can Jesus be the Messiah if God abhors human sacrifice and the one who sins is the one who should bear his guilt? (37:00)
4. A reaction to those who say opening up the economy is not pro-life (46:00)
5. What is your perspective on the importance of the issue of how we interpret Genesis 1–11? (48:00)

Related Links:

• Covid-19: Do Pro-life Principles Require a Sustained Shut Down of the Economy? Who Decides? by Scott Klusendorf
• Dr. Michael Brown responds to Jewish objections to Jesus as Messiah

Three Tips for Improving Your Relationships During Times of Cabin Fever

Greg has some advice for little things you can do to make your home life go more smoothly, then he answers questions about the virus weeding out the weak and how Satan can be allowed to talk to God.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: Three tips for improving your relationships during times of cabin fever (00:00)
2. Shouldn’t evolutionists think this virus is a good thing to weed the weak out of the species? (31:00)
3. If God can’t be in the presence of sin, how can Satan be in His presence? (49:00

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Two “Don’ts” and One “Do” to Make You a Better Spouse, Parent, Friend, and Christian Ambassador by Greg Koukl
• Summit Ministries virtual worldview training for students
• Donate to Stand to Reason

There Are No Verses in the Bible

Greg talks about the liability of verse references, then he answers questions about the New Apostolic Reformation, a blessing in Numbers, and critical theory.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: There are no verses in the Bible. (00:00)
2. How seriously should the church be taking the New Apostolic Reformation? (25:00)
3. In light of not wrongly applying verses to ourselves, is it wrong to use the blessing in Numbers 6:24–26? (40:00)
4. Can you give me advice for talking to family members about critical theory? (46:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Donate to Stand to Reason
• God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement by Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec
• A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement by Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec
• Interview: Neil Shenvi on Critical Theory

Related Links:

• Never Read a Bible Verse by Greg Koukl
• How Can I Know Which Bible Promises Apply to Me? by Amy Hall
• 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
• Critical Theory vs. Christianity by Amy Hall (quoting Neil Shenvi)
• How Critical Theory Suppresses Healthy (and Necessary) Arguments by Amy Hall (quoting Neil Shenvi)

When Tough Times Tempt You to Wonder if God Is There

Greg talks about gaining confidence that God is there when we’re going through tough times, then he answers questions about STR’s view of faith and responding to “nones.” 

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: When tough times tempt you to wonder if God is there (00:00)
2. Why does an article at Stand to Reason grant the unbeliever’s view of faith? (35:00)
3. What would you say to someone who affirms a “none” position? (49:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Greg’s Twitter feed
• Reality Student Apologetics Conference
• Closeout sale on reTHINK Apologetics Conference t-shirts
• Donate to Stand to Reason

Can We Know What the Early Christians Taught?

Greg explains that there is such a thing as historic Christianity and we can know it, then he answers questions about the beginning of Genesis, when divorce is allowed, and ghosts.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: Can we know what the early Christians taught? (00:00)
2. Do the first 11 chapters of Genesis reflect what we now know about human history? (28:00)
3. What do you think about divorce in the case of domestic violence? (41:00)
4. Why, in Matthew 14:26, are the disciples so worried about ghosts if ghosts don’t exist? (51:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Coronavirus and Christ by John Piper (all digital versions—including the audiobook—are free)
• Summit Ministries
• Another Gospel? A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity by Alisa Childers
• A Matter of Days: Resolving a Creation Controversy by Hugh Ross
• Seven Days That Divide the World: The Beginning According to Genesis and Science by John Lennox

Interview: Natasha Crain – Talking with Your Kids about Jesus

Greg talks to Natasha Crain about her newest book, Talking with Your Kids about Jesus: 30 Conversations Every Christian Parent Must Have.

 

Topics:

1. Interview: Natasha Crain, author of Talking with Your Kids about Jesus (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Natasha Crain’s website
• Talking with Your Kids about Jesus: 30 Conversations Every Christian Parent Must Have by Natasha Crain
• Grassroots Apologetics for Parents
• Keeping Your Kids on God's Side: 40 Conversations to Help Them Build a Lasting Faith by Natasha Crain
• Talking with Your Kids about God by Natasha Crain

Interview: Jay Richards – Money, Greed, and God

Greg talks to Jay Richards about the 10th anniversary edition of Money, Greed, and God: The Christian Case for Free Enterprise.

 

Topics:

1. Interview: Jay Richards on Money, Greed, and God: The Christian Case for Free Enterprise (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

• Jay W. Richards
• Money, Greed, and God 10th Anniversary Edition: The Christian Case for Free Enterprise by Jay W. Richards
• The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos Is Designed for Discovery by Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay W. Richards

Related Links:

• How to Alleviate Poverty by Amy Hall (includes video of a lecture by Jay Richards)
• Values Fight Poverty by Amy Hall
• Virtues and the Economy by Amy Hall

Never Give Up

Greg talks about how we should never give up, then he answers questions about the universal moral law applying to animals, the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, and decisional regeneration.

 

Topics:

1. Commentary: Never give up (00:00)
2. Is the universal moral law applicable to animals? (23:00)
3. Was homosexuality really the only reason Sodom and Gomorrah were judged? (33:00)
4. What do you think about decisional regeneration? (41:00)