Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

Greg gives his thoughts on the good and bad of The Chosen, then he talks to callers about whether Hell is simply the absence of God and whether it’s inappropriate to speak with a pastor about his unbiblical teaching and the direction of his church if he isn’t your pastor. Topics:

Greg answers questions about how the Holy Spirit communicates with believers, giving prophetic words to people, resources on Christian nationalism, whether Satan is at work in the world, increasing our aggressiveness in this culture, and Ray Comfort’s approach. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: The Ambassador’s Guide to the Voice of GodDecision Making and the Will of GodStreet Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Challenges Related Links: Does God Whisper? Part 1Part 2Part 3

Greg explains why the Apocrypha isn’t part of the canon, then he talks to callers about what to say to a good pastor who has been taking verses out of context and thoughts on cessationism. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Scribes and Scripture: The Amazing Story of How We Got the BibleWhy Jesus Rebuked Doubting Thomas

Greg answers questions about interpreting Scripture symbolically, distinguishing between the Lord’s discipline and suffering, how to get over a fear of talking about your faith, and whether Jesus was separated from the other persons of the Trinity on the cross. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics ConferenceA Simple Survey to Help Initiate Spiritual Conversations Related Links: #STRask: In light of Hebrews 12:5–11, how can a Christian know when they’re being disciplined vs. experiencing a consequence of a sinful act?#STRask: Can you give any examples of what Christians are to expect in terms of God’s discipline?

Greg talks about a case in the Netherlands where a 28-year-old woman who doesn’t want to live is planning to be euthanized, then he answers a question about how you can “trust in the Lord with all your heart” when our hearts are wicked. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: ‘I’m 28. And I’m Scheduled to Die in May.’The age limit for euthanasia requests in the Netherlands: a Delphi study among paediatric expertsReality Student Apologetics Conference

Greg talks about the current trend of people realizing their values can’t be sustained by an atheist worldview, then he answers questions about a common ancestor and transitional forms, prayer and God’s predestined plan, and advice for praying with OCD. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics ConferenceThe Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again

Greg reflects on the unique nature of a total eclipse and his experience seeing one yesterday, then he describes conversations he had with people about Christianity while he was traveling and answers a question about the slippery slope fallacy. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics ConferenceSTR U Online TrainingUpcoming eventsSTR OutpostsThe Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos Is Designed for Discovery

Greg discusses what the Bible says about penal substitutionary atonement, then he answers questions about what to do if your pastor secretly holds to pro-LGBTQ theology and why God no longer gives direct messages to people like he did in the Old Testament. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: STR U Online TrainingThe Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in BetweenThe Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings: J.R.R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Owen Barfield, Charles Williams Related Links: Gay or Straight, We All Must Decide if We Love Jesus above All ElseBe Willing to Submit to Our Good God on the Issue of Homosexuality

Greg talks about how Dawkins’s objections to Islam don’t make sense within his own worldview, then he answers a question from a caller about how a person can say something is right or wrong if they don’t believe in God. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Famous atheist says he identifies as a ‘cultural Christian’ and is ‘horrified’ by promotion of Islamic holidayStealing from God: Why Atheists Need God to Make Their CaseStreet Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest ChallengesGreg’s interview with Justin BrierleyThe Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity AgainMere ChristianityReality Student Apologetics Conference

Greg talks about how religious accommodations are possible when it comes to DEI trainings, then he answers questions about restoring a friendship that broke up over theology and whether John 3:13 indicates Jesus was in Heaven while he was on earth. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Can Religious Employees Challenge Mandated DEI Trainings?The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust Modern Translations?

Greg recounts a conversation he had with a Catholic campus ministry director on a plane, then he answers a question about rebaptism. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics Conference

Greg answers questions about whether one must believe in eternal generation to be saved, why the question of significance is so important, reconciling Matthew 7:21–23 with grace, and justifying self-defense in light of Jesus telling us to turn the other cheek. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: The Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes EverythingRetrieving Eternal GenerationSubmit a questionReality Student Apologetics Conference

Greg reflects on the sudden finality of death and what that means for how we should live, then he answers questions about whether the Apocrypha was in the Bible for 1,000 years before Protestants removed it and whether Jesus had a soul. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics ConferenceUpcoming eventsScribes and Scripture: The Amazing Story of How We Got the Bible Related Links: Are Jesus’ Two Natures Compatible?

Greg discusses the Pope’s statement about hoping Hell is empty, then he talks to callers about how to have good conversations with a Jehovah’s Witness, Dallas Willard’s book on the spiritual disciplines, and a follow-up call about an atheist vs. Christian dialogue at a church. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Being Tactical with Jehovah’s WitnessesStreet Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest ChallengesThe previous call about the atheist vs. Christian dialogue Related Links: Deity of Christ: Case ClosedDoes God Whisper? Part 1Part 2Part 3The Ambassador’s Guide to the Voice of God

Greg explains why not attending a same-sex wedding is not just a matter of conscience, answers challenges to his comments last week on original sin, and responds to arguments for Catholicism. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics ConferenceQuestions about Original SinWhen a Baby Dies Related Links: Should a Christian Attend a Same-Sex Wedding?

Greg talks about people misusing the idea of “separation of church and state” to punish ideological disagreement, then he answers questions about responding to “anyone who doesn’t believe just like you goes to Hell,” using preferred names, and hypnotism. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Submit a questionIron Curtain DiaryIndiana parents warn nation after child is removed from home for improper pronoun usage: ‘Can happen anywhere’ Related Links: Why Agree to Use Preferred Names but Not Preferred Pronouns?Why Pronouns Matter…a Lot

Greg answers Open Mic questions about whether embryonic human beings are unsaved, innocent, or saved, how Jesus could have been tempted to sin if the inclination to sin comes from a corrupt human nature, how Christ could have not had a corrupt human nature, and whether clones are fallen. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Submit a questionWhen a Baby DiesPart 1Part 2Part 3

Greg answers a question about critical theory and relativism, comments on the idea of oppression by ideology, and answers questions about whether it’s okay for a Christian to own a gun and how a husband should navigate having a wife who thinks he’s unintelligent. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: Critical Dilemma: The Rise of Critical Theories and Social Justice Ideology―Implications for the Church and SocietyNeil Shenvi: Are Social Justice, Critical Theory, and Christianity Compatible? Related Links: Interview: Neil Shenvi on Critical Theory

Greg talks about how today’s parenting is hurting kids, then he answers questions from callers about whether it’s okay for a church to host a debate with an atheist and what to say to someone who rejects God because of things the church has done. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: How touchy-feely parenting and therapy have created the loneliest, most helpless, depressed, and fearful young people everTemple GrandinReality Student Apologetics ConferenceOrder the Reality live streamCold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels

Greg talks to J.P. Moreland, author of The Substance of Consciousness, about the significance of the topic of our souls, developing our soul, reasons to think we have a soul, whether we could be in a simulation, machines becoming conscious, and more. Topics: Mentioned on the Show: J.P. Moreland’s WebsiteThe Substance of Consciousness: A Comprehensive Defense of Contemporary Substance DualismThe Soul: How We Know It's Real and Why It MattersBody & Soul: Human Nature the Crisis in EthicsBeyond Death: Exploring the Evidence for Immortality