Greg responds to a caller’s story about being accused of hate because of his pro-life bumper stickers, then he answers questions about whether the blood sprinkled on the mercy seat was cleaned off, a family whose pastor objects to their spending time out of town, and whether God created the possibility to sin. Topics: A story about a note the caller received responding to the pro-life stickers on his car. (02:00) Did the blood sprinkled on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:14–15) stay on the mercy s...
Nov 17, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg answers questions about the differences between rules, principles, etc., Christian nationalism, Christians making judgments about other Christians, how people who haven’t heard the gospel will be judged, how to respond to someone who says God isn’t real, and an explanation of the book of Job. Topics: What are the differences between rules, principles, guidelines, and policies? (03:00) What’s your understanding of the definition of “Christian Nationalism”? (13:00) Can you clarify how and whe...
Nov 15, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about Melinda Penner, cofounder of Stand to Reason, who went home to be with the Lord last week, then he answers questions about men teasing each other, the biblically appropriate role of the military, and whether 1 Timothy 3 is descriptive or prescriptive. Topics: Commentary: Well done, Melinda. (00:00) Since men who are close to each other tend to tease each other, do you think that’s part of being a man, and do you think the Bible has anything to say about this kind of behavior? (0...
Nov 10, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg interviews Justin Brierley, author of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again, about the rise and fall of the New Atheist movement, why he thanks God for Richard Dawkins, a shift in many atheists’ view of Christianity, and more. Topics: Interview: Justin Brierley, author of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again (00:00) Mentione...
Nov 08, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about an atheist’s response to his quote summarizing some evidence for God, then he answers questions about why he will be speaking at a church that has women pastors and why Protestants don’t view the works of the early church fathers as authoritative for doctrine. Topics: Commentary: No evidence for God? (00:00) Why do you think it’s okay to speak at a church that has women pastors? (28:00) Why don’t Protestants view the works of the early church fathers as authoritative for doctrin...
Nov 03, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg gives some thoughts about C.S. Lewis after attending 1517’s conference on Lewis last weekend, then he answers a caller’s questions about whether or not a woman should be a lead pastor and whether he should be concerned about his pastor planting a church with a woman lead pastor. Topics: Commentary: Getting around the watchful dragons (00:00) What do you think about a woman being a lead pastor? (28:00) Mentioned on the Show: 1517.org Related Links: Should Women Teach in Church? by Greg Koukl...
Nov 01, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg adds another quick thought about the last call on the previous episode, then he answers questions about atheists claiming they used to be “real Christians,” whether the word “relationship” accurately describes our connection with God, and non-Christians receiving benefits from their prayers. Topics: Commentary: One more thought on the last call from the previous episode about old-earth creationism (00:00) What do you think about my view that it’s inconsistent with an atheist worldview for a...
Oct 27, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg shares information about the film Nefarious that an Open Mic caller mentioned last week, talks about faithfully hitting singles and doubles, then answers a question about how much of creation can be explained by natural causes on an old-earth creationist view. Topics: Commentary: A recipe for faithfulness (00:00) On the old-earth creationist view, how much of creation can be explained by natural causes alone? (35:00) Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics Conference – November 1...
Oct 25, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about how the tactics are tools for “gardening,” then he talks to callers about whether Luke 16:18 means that divorced people who remarry are living in continuous adultery, whether Bible versions violate the command not to add to God’s words, the brains of transgender people, and the origin of evil. Topics: Commentary: The tactics are tools for gardening. (00:00) If I’m divorced, does that mean I’m living in continuous adultery according to Luke 16:18? (09:00) Do the different version...
Oct 20, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about Andy Stanley’s response to Al Mohler in which he said Jesus drew circles instead of lines, then he answers questions about responding to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s transcendentalism and advice for making an argument to a school board about pornographic material in the library. Topics: Commentary: Jesus’ circles and lines (00:00) How can I respond well to the philosophy of transcendentalism in my literature class? (32:00) I have three minutes to make an argument to the school board ag...
Oct 18, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg explains why embracing pro-gay theology is a serious warning sign, offers a tactical approach for answering a question about whether one can be a gay Christian, then answers questions about the most important apologetics topics, non-believers taking communion, what we’ve earned vs. God’s blessings, and more. Topics: Commentary: The number one indicator of apostasy in the church (00:00) A tactical approach for answering a question about whether one can be a gay Christian. (16:00) What apolog...
Oct 13, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks to Alan Shlemon, who attended the Unconditional Conference at Andy Stanley’s church, about the good and bad of what was taught there, how those who promote pro-gay theology viewed the conference, Alan’s concerns, Andy Stanley’s sermon explaining his position, etc. Topics: Interview: Alan Shlemon – Concerns about the Unconditional Conference (00:00) Mentioned on the Show: Andy Stanley's Unconditional Conference: Deep Dive Response – Sean McDowell’s interview of Alan Shlemon A Reformati...
Oct 11, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg explains what the Bible has to say about decision making and the will of God, making the case that when you choose within the bounds of wisdom and God’s moral guidelines, you have the freedom to do whatever you want with God’s blessing. Topics: Commentary: The biblical model for decision making and the will of God (00:00) Choose within the circle of God’s moral will. (06:00) Choose within the circle of wisdom. (11:00) Choose within the circle of personal desires (taken into consideration, b...
Oct 06, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast How is God involved in the process of our decision making? Is there a plan we need to discover? Do we need to employ certain techniques in order to hear God’s voice and find his will? Greg challenges the conventional view of decision making and the will of God by examining the biblical texts on this topic. Topics: Commentary: What the Bible doesn’t say about decision making and the will of God. (00:00) The Bible doesn’t teach that we determine God’s will from a feeling. (14:00) The Bible doesn’t...
Oct 04, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tim and Greg chat with Frank Beckwith, Frank Turek, Scott Klusendorf, Brett Kunkle, Natasha Crain, and Alan Shlemon about their involvement with Stand to Reason, what they’ve learned from this ministry, stories from the last 30 years, and more. Topics: Tim and Greg chat with friends and colleagues who have had a significant relationship with Stand to Reason over the last 30 years. (00:00) Mentioned on the Show: Politically Correct Death: Answering the Arguments for Abortion Rights by Frank Beckw...
Sep 29, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tim talks to Greg about the last 30 years of Stand to Reason—the purpose and unique focus of our work, the major topics and controversies we’ve addressed, the ideas we’ve developed, advice and cautions for budding apologists, where Stand to Reason will be 30 years from now, and more. Topics: Were you called into this ministry? (03:00) Why did you call this organization Stand to Reason? (11:00) What is unique about Stand to Reason? (16:00) What advice would you give to a budding apologist? (22:00...
Sep 27, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg continues answering a question about how he annotates his Bible, then he answers questions about whether Deuteronomy 21:10–14 condones rape, advice for someone struggling to find reasons for his faith, how to respond to people who say you can’t write a book that includes elements of other cultures, and more. Topics: Greg continues answering a question from the last episode about how he annotates his Bible. (00:00) Does Deuteronomy 21:10–14 condone rape? (21:00) Do you have advice for someon...
Sep 22, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg recommends a film about the Bible and talks about a conversation he had with a waitress, then he answers a question about whether the command to love one another trumps the command to love God and explains how he annotates his Bible. Topics: Commentary: Evangelism is easier when you have a plan. (00:00) Does the command in John 13:34 to love one another trump the command to love God first? (26:00) How do you annotate your Bible? (49:00) Mentioned on the Show: Upcoming events with Stand to R...
Sep 20, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg answers questions about arguing for the existence of God based on the beauty we see in the world, what Paul means when he says we are “fellow heirs with Christ,” whether the Father poured out his wrath on Jesus at the cross, and a response to a neighbor’s Halloween decorations. Topics: Can we argue for the existence of God based on the beauty we see in the world? (01:00) What does it mean to be fellow heirs with Christ as Paul says in Romans 8:17? (18:00) Is there a biblical case for saying...
Sep 15, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about the ideas in his new book, Street Smarts, explaining how it expands his Tactics material and how it will give people more confidence responding to objections and making the case for Christianity, then he answers a question about recommendations for starting an apologetics group. Topics: Commentary: Tactics for the street (00:00) Do you have any recommendations for starting an apologetics group? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show: Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’...
Sep 13, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg responds to questions about what approach to take with a child who has started dating a Jehovah’s Witness, whether there was any way for Gentiles to be saved prior to Christ’s crucifixion, and how to respond to someone wearing a “Protect trans kids” shirt. Topics: Would you apply the same approach to a child who started dating a Jehovah’s Witness as you would to a family member who came out as gay? (04:00) Was there any way for Gentiles to be saved prior to Christ’s crucifixion? (31:00) How...
Sep 08, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks to J. Warner Wallace about the updated and expanded version of Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels—what’s new in the book, chain of custody, direct and circumstantial evidence, how to evaluate eyewitnesses, and more. Topics: Interview: J. Warner Wallace, author of the updated and expanded version of Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels (00:00) Mentioned on the Show: J. Warner Wallace Cold-Ca...
Sep 06, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg responds to questions about why God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden, taking a job at a Quaker school, the implications of all biological men starting off like females in the womb, and whether the stories of Gilgamesh and Horus are evidence the Bible isn’t true. Topics: Why did God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the garden of Eden, giving Adam and Eve a chance to betray him? (03:00) What should I take into account in terms of theology a...
Sep 01, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks to Nancy Pearcey, author of The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes, about the competing ideas of masculinity, the “good man” versus the “real man,” expectations of men in the pre-industrial age, the stats on Christian men today, “boy culture,” and more. Topics: Interview: Nancy Pearcey, author of The Toxic War on Masculinity (00:00) Mentioned on the Show: Nancy Pearcey The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes by Nancy Pearcey Nan...
Aug 30, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg answers questions from callers about whether God is loving if he can save everyone (per Reformed theology) but doesn’t, what Christians should think about shopping at stores that promote harmful ideologies, how God could have foreknowledge of infinite future events if an actual infinite isn’t possible, and more. Topics: If, according to Reformed theology, God can save everyone, is he loving if he doesn’t? (03:00) What should Christians think about shopping at stores that promote harmful ide...
Aug 25, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg explains why your answer to the foundational question of whether or not God exists will affect your ideas about everything else, then he answers questions from a caller about aliens and UFOs. Topics: Commentary: The God question is the first question you have to answer. (00:00) What’s your take on aliens and UFOs? (31:00) Mentioned on the Show: Be One of the 100
Aug 23, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about an exchange he had with someone on a recent trip, then he answers questions about philosophy topics to cover in an hour-long apologetics class, signs from God, whether the disciples made up the story about Jesus, and how to discuss doctrine with Mormons who seem to be hiding their beliefs. Topics: Commentary: An example of gardening (00:00) What topics would you cover if you only had one hour to teach philosophy in an apologetics and evangelism class? (06:00) What should I say t...
Aug 18, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about an upcoming movie that claims a 1946 mistranslation of a word in the Bible led to homophobia and persecution of the LGBT community, then he answers a caller's question about what to say to a pastor who referred someone to a counseling service that seems problematic. Topics: Commentary: The Bible’s teaching on marriage and sexuality didn’t change in 1946. (00:00) What should I say to a pastor who referred me to a counseling service that seems problematic? (32:00) Mentioned on the...
Aug 16, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks to callers about what to say to a skeptic who claims portions of the Gospels were made up to match Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53, whether Hell is something we choose or an enforced punishment, and how to convince another Christian of how important it is to read the Bible and make it part of their life. Topics: What should I say to a skeptic who claims portions of the Gospels were made up to match Psalm 22 and Isaiah 53? (06:00) Is Hell something we choose (i.e., the doors are “locked on the ...
Aug 11, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about the need for churches (and Christian individuals) to disciple other Christians, then he answers a caller’s questions about Reformed theology. Topics: Commentary: Are you discipling someone? (00:00) Why do you believe in Reformed theology? (34:00) Mentioned on the Show: Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 22–23 in Los Angeles, CA; October 13–14 in Seattle, WA; November 10–...
Aug 09, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
