Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

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Episodes

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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.

Episodes

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•Transcript available on Metacast

The Sudden Finality of Death

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: Commentary: The sudden finality of death (00:00) Was the Apocrypha in the Bible for 1,000 years before Protestants removed it? (30:00) Why would Jesus need a soul, and did he have one? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Apologetics Conference ...

Mar 20, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast

You Can’t Hope for Something You Know Won’t Happen

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: Commentary: You can’t hope for something you know won’t happen. (00:00) How can I stay on the same page with my brother when we’re discussing his Jehovah’s Witness beliefs? (08:00) What’s your opinion on Dallas Wil...

Mar 15, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Love Does Not Rejoice in the Unrighteousness of Same-Sex Weddings

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: Commentary: Love does not rejoice in the unrighteousness of same-sex weddings. (00:00) Were your answers to my questions about original sin contradictory? (27:00) How would you respond to these arguments for Catholicism that are attracting my friend? (46:00) Mentioned on the Show: Reality Student Ap...

Mar 13, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Separation of Church and State Doesn’t Mean This

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: Commentary: Separation of church and state doesn’t mean this. (00:00) Is there a quick way to answer someone who asks if we think anyone who doesn’t believe just like us will go to Hell? (23:00) When a student wants to use a name other t...

Mar 08, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Questions about Original Sin

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: Is the two-celled human being unsaved and condemned to Hell, innocent, or saved with eternal life? If you think infants are saved, but you believe in original sin and guilt, then by what means is that in...

Mar 06, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Critical Theory’s Oppression by Ideology

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: Is critical theory related to relativism? (02:00) Commentary: Critical theory’s oppression by ideology (22:00) Is there a biblical reason for a Christian to own a gun, and would it be okay for him to use it? (28:00) How should I...

Mar 01, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast

How Today’s Parenting Is Hurting Kids

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: Commentary: How today’s parenting is hurting kids (00:00) Is it wrong for a church to host a debate between an apologist and an atheist since a Christian might be swayed by the atheist’s arguments? (39:00) What can I say to someone who rejects G...

Feb 28, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Interview: J.P. Moreland – The Substance of Consciousness

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: Interview: J.P. Moreland, author of The Substance of Consciousness: A Comprehensive Defense of Contemporary Substance Dualism (00:00) What’s the significance of this discussion for Christians? (14:00) What is a soul, and what does having a s...

Feb 23, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Interview: Natasha Crain on the “He Gets Us” Campaign

Greg talks to Natasha Crain about her insightful article on the “He Gets Us” campaign, examining the view of Jesus promoted by the campaign, the message of the foot washing Super Bowl commercial, and the four questions Natasha used to evaluate the campaign. Topics: Interview: Natasha Crain on the “He Gets Us” campaign (00:00) What view of Jesus are they promoting? (14:00) What’s the message of the foot washing commercial? (20:00) The four questions Natasha used to evaluate the campaign (29:00) M...

Feb 21, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast