Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

Greg Koukl•str.org

Our purpose is to help Christians think more clearly about their faith and to help them make an even-handed, incisive, yet gracious defense for classical Christianity. Released every Wednesday and Friday.

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Episodes

We Were Enemies of God

Greg talks about how we were enemies of God before we were reconciled to him through the atonement, then he answers questions about how to determine a guest pastor’s theology and whether all Christians ought to embrace Jewish traditions. Topics: Commentary: We were enemies of God. (00:00) Can you suggest a few questions to help determine the theology of a guest pastor who will be speaking at our youth retreat and is possibly progressive? (23:00) If Christianity truly is the fulfillment of covena...

May 10, 2024•58 min

Jesus Revolution and the Jesus Movement

Greg chats about Jesus Revolution after finally seeing it, then he talks to a caller about good questions to ask an agnostic friend and answers a question about why he says Jesus saved us from the Father rather than from our sins. Topics: Commentary: Jesus Revolution and the Jesus Movement (00:00) What are some good questions I can ask an agnostic friend? (25:00) Why would you say Jesus was saving us from the Father rather than from our sin, as if the Father were our enemy? (36:00) Mentioned on ...

May 08, 2024•58 min

What Should I Say to Someone Who’s Apathetic?

Greg responds to questions he received about speaking to someone who’s apathetic and the Spirit’s role in evangelism, then he talks to callers about whether churches need a lead pastor, Jesus’ words in Matthew 27:46, and answering a Mormon’s objections to the Trinity. Topics: Commentary: What should I say to someone who’s apathetic? (00:00) Even if we have several rotating preaching pastors, should we still have a lead pastor guiding the church? (20:00) Why didn’t you include Jesus’ words in Mat...

May 03, 2024•58 min

Thoughts on “The Chosen”

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: Commentary: Thoughts on The Chosen (09:00) What do you think of my idea that Hell is not so much the presence of something as it is the absence of Someone? (38:00) Is it inappropriate to speak with a pastor about his un...

May 01, 2024•58 min

How Does the Holy Spirit Communicate with Believers?

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: How does the Holy Spirit communicate with believers? (00:00) What can I do to soften someone’s heart who has rejected the prophetic word I received for them? (15:00) Can you recommend any resources on the topic of Christian nation...

Apr 26, 2024•58 min

Why the Apocrypha Is Not Part of the Canon

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: Commentary: Why the apocrypha is not part of the canon (00:00) How should I approach a pastor I love about taking verses out of context? (26:00) What do you think about cessationism? (49:00) Mentioned on the Show: Scribes and Scripture: The Amazing Story of How We Got the Bible by John D. Meade and Pet...

Apr 24, 2024•58 min

When Should You Interpret a Passage of Scripture Symbolically?

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: When should I interpret a passage of Scripture symbolically? (01:00) What are your thoughts on the discipline of the Lord (Hebrews 12:4–11) vs. suffering we should push back on? (18:00) How can people get over their irrational fea...

Apr 19, 2024•58 min

Do We Have a Right to End Our Own Lives?

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: Commentary: Do we have a right to end our own lives? (00:00) How do you “trust in the Lord with all your heart” when our hearts are wicked? (42:00) Mentioned on the Show: ‘I’m 28. And I’m Scheduled to Die in May.’ by Rupa Subramanya The age limit for euth...

Apr 17, 2024•58 min

They Are Waking up to Reality

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: Commentary: They are waking up to reality. (00:00) Do you agree with William Lane Craig that there’s evidence for a common ancestor and transitional forms? (10:00) How effective are our prayers and petitions if God’s plan is predestined? ...

Apr 12, 2024•58 min

The Unique Nature of a Total Eclipse of the Sun

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: Commentary: The unique nature of a total eclipse of the sun. (10:00) Commentary: Two conversations (28:00) If someone says he was born gay and we must just accept it, would it be a slippery slope fallacy to respond by saying that by that logic we ...

Apr 10, 2024•58 min

When It Comes to the Atonement, People Do Not Take the Blood Seriously

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: Commentary: When it comes to the atonement, people do not take the blood seriously. (05:00) If you find out your pastor secretly holds to pro-LGBTQ theology, should you expose him to the church or leave quietly? (23:00) Do you think pe...

Apr 05, 2024•58 min

Dawkins Says He’s a Cultural Christian

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: Commentary: Dawkins says he’s a cultural Christian. (00:00) How can a person say something is right or wrong if they don't believe in God? (40:00) Mentioned on the Show: Famous atheist says he identifies as a ‘cultural Christian’ and is ‘horrified’ by promotion of Islamic...

Apr 03, 2024•58 min

You Can Challenge Mandatory DEI Trainings

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: Commentary: You can challenge mandatory DEI trainings. (00:00) What can I do to restore a relationship with a friend who ended our friendship because I disagree with his Calvinism? (21:00) Does John 3:13 indicate Jesus was in Heaven during the...

Mar 29, 2024•58 min

Greg’s Conversation with a Catholic on a Plane

Greg recounts a conversation he had with a Catholic campus ministry director on a plane, then he answers a question about rebaptism. Topics: Commentary: Greg’s conversation with a Catholic on a plane (00:00) What do you think about rebaptism? (38:00) Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 19–20, 2024 in Augusta, GA

Mar 27, 2024•58 min

Why Is the Question of Significance so Important?

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: Is my salvation at stake if I don’t believe in eternal generation, contrary to the Athanasian Creed? (01:00) Why is the question of significance the most important question facing America today? (11:00) How do you reconcile Matthew...

Mar 22, 2024•58 min

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