Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

Greg answers questions about how to interpret “gates of Hell” in Matthew 16:18, whether parents should treat a child who hasn’t professed Christ differently, the biggest challenge that has tested his faith, whether Matthew 24:24 means it’s possible for the elect to be led astray, and more.

 

Topics:

Should the fact that God is in charge of Hell change my understanding of Matthew 16:18 that “gates of Hell” refers to Satan and his demonic forces? (08:00)

Should parents treat a child who hasn’t professed Christ differently from their other children? (22:00)

What is the biggest challenge that has tested your faith? (26:00)

How do we know that Christians believe the right thing? (45:00)

Does Matthew 24:24 mean it’s possible for the elect to be led astray? (51:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

Be One of the 100

Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll

Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers

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Making Sense of Unanswered Prayer by Amy Hall

Greg answers questions about whether or not we can see evidence that God sustains the universe, and how to respond to someone who says autonomy is his guiding principle for morality.

 

Topics:

Do we have evidence of God sustaining the universe? (12:00)

How would you respond to someone who says autonomy is his guiding principle for morality. (26:00)

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Mentioned on the Show: 

Be One of the 100

Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll

Submit a question on the Open Mic Line

Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 11–12 in Atlanta, GA; October 16–17 in Seattle, WA; November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN; February 19–20, 2027 in Dallas, TX; March 12–13, 2027 in Philadelphia, PA; April 23–24, 2027 in Los Angeles, CA

Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl

Related Links:

The Contingency Argument – Short video by Reasonable Faith

Inside Out – Greg explains the tactic

Greg answers questions about how God’s voice can be unmistakable in light of John 10 and 1 Samuel 3, whether the impulse to witness to someone is coming from the conscience or the Holy Spirit, and why worship is required.

 

Topics:

Commentary: Be one of the 100. (00:00)

How do you understand John 10 and 1 Samuel 3 in light of the idea that the voice of God is unmistakable? (04:00)

When I feel strongly that I should go witness to someone, is that my conscience or the Holy Spirit? (42:00)

Why is worship required? Why should we do it? It seems weird to unbelievers. (52:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

Be One of the 100

Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll

When God Speaks by Greg Koukl

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Related Links:

Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 by Greg Koukl

Greg talks about the huge difference that can be made when one person is equipped, then he answers questions about attending a church where the pastor is affiliated with Freemasonry, recognizing circular reasoning, “Father, forgive them,” and whether Jesus is physically present in Acts 23:11.

 

Topics:

Commentary: When one person is equipped, thousands more are impacted. (00:00)

Would you advise people not to attend a church where the pastor is still affiliated with Freemasonry, though not an active member? (08:00)

Do you have any tips for recognizing circular reasoning? (26:00)

What are the ramifications of Jesus saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do”? (43:00)

In Acts 23:11, was Jesus physically there, or was this a vision? (50:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

Be One of the 100

Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll

An Overview of Freemasonry – Greg’s discussion with his brother Dave on a previous podcast

Acts 19:18–20 – The account of converts to Christianity burning their books of magic

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Metamorphosis: The Beauty and Design of Butterflies DVD by Illustra Media

The Design of Life DVD Collection: Volumes 1-3 by Illustra Media

Greg answers questions about whether or not images are in your brain, various questions about appearance of age and the age of the earth, why Paul says he isn’t lying in Galatians 1:20, and how to share the gospel with people whose loved ones died outside of Christ.

 

Topics:

Wouldn’t a materialist just say that the image you have of your mother is in your brain? (06:00)

When did a day become 24 hours, how long did it take Jesus to heal, does age coincide with appearance, does God need more or less time to create, and are we not diminishing God’s omnipotence when we argue for an old earth? (21:00)

What do you think about Paul saying he’s not lying in Galatians 1:20? (42:00)

How do I share the gospel with people who say they can’t accept Christianity because they had loved ones who died outside of Christ? (49:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

Be One of the 100

Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll

STR Outposts

Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 11–12 in Atlanta, GA; October 16–17 in Seattle, WA; November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN; February 19–20, 2027 in Dallas, TX; March 12–13, 2027 in Philadelphia, PA; April 23–24, 2027 in Los Angeles, CA

Greg talks about finding a good Bible translation and sticking with it, then he responds to callers’ questions about when to answer questions about hypothetical situations, whether there’s a waiting place when we die, where Greg and Amy disagree, and a non-biblical argument for the afterlife.

 

Topics:

Commentary: Find a good Bible translation and stick with it. (00:00)

What’s Greg’s advice for when to answer questions about hypothetical situations? (14:00)

Do you think there’s a waiting place when we die? (29:00)

What do you and Amy disagree on? (36:00)

Is it possible to present a non-biblical argument for the afterlife, and what should I advise an atheist to say to her grandchildren who are concerned about her salvation? (45:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

Be One of the 100

Made in Our Image by Stephen Driscoll

Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 11–12 in Atlanta, GA; October 16–17 in Seattle, WA; November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN; February 19–20, 2027 in Dallas, TX; March 12–13, 2027 in Philadelphia, PA; April 23–24, 2027 in Los Angeles, CA

The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl

Listen to the two episodes where Greg and Amy discussed the rising antisemitism from different theological perspectives here and here.

Greg talks about the upcoming Reality season, then he responds to questions about what to ask someone who casually refers to karma, the Latter-day Saint claim that they received the true priesthood authority, and whether new Christians ought to go back and correct past wrongs.

 

Topics:

Commentary: The upcoming Reality season (00:00)

What questions would you ask someone who casually refers to karma? (10:00)

How should I question the Latter-day Saint claim that they received the true priesthood authority? (27:00)

If someone becomes a Christian, should they go back and correct past wrongs? (44:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 11–12 in Atlanta, GA; October 16–17 in Seattle, WA; November 13–14 in Minneapolis, MN; February 19–20, 2027 in Dallas, TX; March 12–13, 2027 in Philadelphia, PA; April 23–24, 2027 in Los Angeles, CA

Submit a question on the Open Mic Line

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

Greg responds to a question from his daughter about baptism for the dead, then he talks to callers about how to reconcile needing to believe in Jesus to be saved with 1 Timothy 2:4, and whether or not there will be time in Heaven given that the Bible indicates time was created.

 

Topics:

Commentary: What about baptism for the dead? (00:00)

How do you reconcile needing to believe in Jesus to be saved with 1 Timothy 2:4, where God says he wants all to be saved? (23:00)

Since the Bible indicates time was created, does that mean there will be no time in Heaven? (48:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

The Story of Why God Died and Came to Life Again by Greg Koukl

Related Links:

One Way or Any Way? Part 1 and Part 2 by Greg Koukl

Greg talks about the problems with inclusivism, then he answers questions about why it would be wrong to ask a saint for prayer if they can hear us, whether drawing lots is an approved practice, self-identified Christians who don’t show fruit, and whether the meaning of “doubt” has changed.

 

Topics:

Commentary: Inclusivism gives people false hope. (00:00)

If people who have passed on can hear the living, then what would be wrong with the Catholic practice of asking a saint for prayer? (23:00)

Does Acts 1:26 indicate that the drawing of lots is an approved, godly practice, or was Paul the true replacement, selected by Jesus himself? (29:00)

How can we help people who say they trust in the Lord but never show any fruit? (36:00)

Is “doubt” a word like “faith” that has changed its meaning? (47:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

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No Other Name—Part 1 and Part 2 by Greg Koukl

Greg discusses our obligation to help the poor, then he talks to a caller about the fate of saved people who get dementia later in life and answers questions about our conscience vs. the Holy Spirit, the government as an analogy for the Trinity, and the inclusivism of the Catholic Church.

 

Topics:

Commentary: We have an obligation to help the poor. (00:00)

What happens with saved people who get dementia and then forget everything? (21:00)

What is the difference between our conscience and the Holy Spirit, and how can we tell which is which? (31:00)

What are your thoughts on using our government as an analogy for the Trinity? (44:00)

How does the inclusivism of the Catholic Church differ from how people in the Old Testament were saved before Jesus’ cross and resurrection? (50:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

The Legend of the Social Justice Jesus by Greg Koukl

Orange County Rescue Mission

One Way or Any Way? Part 1 and Part 2 by Greg Koukl

Submit a question on the Open Mic Line

Related Links:

Losing Your Salvation in Ephesians 1:14–3 by Amy Hall

The Trinity: A Solution, Not a Problem Part 1 and Part 2 by Greg Koukl