Greg talks about the notion of entailment, then he talks to callers about how to respond to someone who says Christianity took ideas from older religions, whether or not there are still descendants of Abraham, and how to respond to someone who says God is transgender. Topics: Commentary: You need to understand the notion of entailment. (00:00) How would you answer people who say Christianity isn’t original, that it took ideas from other religions, and that other religions are older? (18:00) Are ...
Oct 11, 2024•58 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks to Bobby Conway, author of Does Christianity Still Make Sense? about his past before he was a Christian, apologetics as a way of loving people, how to respond to various popular objections to Christianity, and more. Topics: Interview: Bobby Conway, author of Does Christianity Still Make Sense?: A Former Skeptic Responds to Today’s Toughest Objections to Christianity (00:00) Mentioned on the Show: Does Christianity Still Make Sense?: A Former Skeptic Responds to Today’s Toughest Object...
Oct 09, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg answers questions about how we know God is real, when seeking God intellectually becomes a hindrance, what the Bible means when it says Jesus is “begotten,” whether the testing of Abraham was capricious and cruel, and the need for God to ground our rights. Topics: In light of Greek mythology and evolution, how do we know the God of the Bible is real?(02:00) When do you think seeking to know God intellectually becomes more of a hindrance than a help? (13:00) What does the Bible mean when it ...
Oct 04, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about the difference between “belief in” and ”belief that,” then he talks to callers about an objection to probability arguments for design, whether it can be proved from Scripture that worship in Heaven won’t be forced, and help understanding the end times. Topics: Commentary: “Belief in” vs. “belief that” (00:00) How would you respond to someone who dismisses a probability argument for design by saying that probability doesn’t prove something is true? (21:00) Can you prove from Scri...
Oct 02, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg answers questions about Hebrews 6:4–8 applying to a former believer, whether there’s anything in the universe that wouldn’t count as evidence for God, responding to King James Only, and whether feeling compelled to do something is an example of the Holy Spirit speaking to you. Topics: Could Hebrews 6:4–8 be applied to someone who used to be a believer but isn’t anymore? (00:00) What object, thing, idea, etc. is there in the universe that would not count as evidence for God? (27:00) How do y...
Sep 27, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about the canon being a list of authoritative books rather than an authoritative list of books, then he talks to callers about feeling guilt about one’s blessings, a cordial exchange regarding abortion, and whether election and predestination are the same thing. Topics: Commentary: A list of authoritative books, not an authoritative list of books (00:00) Do you have any advice about feeling guilty about my blessings? (26:00) A story about a cordial exchange regarding abortion. (41:00)...
Sep 25, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg answers questions from callers about the Shroud of Turin, the difference between objective truth, proof, and a fact, how to talk to a spouse about speaking in tongues without hurting their feelings, and whether we can know why God is keeping Trump alive. Topics: What do you think about the Shroud of Turin? (02:00) What is the difference between an objective truth, a proof, and a fact, and is circular reasoning always fallacious? (24:00) How do I talk to my wife about speaking in tongues wit...
Sep 20, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg gives advice to young people on how to live well on their own, then he talks to a caller about the point of glory and honor and why we need to give it to God. Topics: Commentary: Advice for young people leaving home (00:00) What’s the point of glory and honor, and why do we need to give it to God? (39:00) Mentioned on the Show: When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square by Natasha Crain Reality Student Apologetics Conference – October 18...
Sep 18, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks to a caller about his interaction with a Mormon, then he answers questions about how he keeps his cool in debates, how to prove biblically that Jesus is 100% God and 100% man, and whether Jesus ever asked to be worshiped. Topics: A caller reports back on his interaction with a Mormon. (02:00) How do you keep your cool in debates? (16:00) How can I prove biblically that Jesus is 100% God and 100% man? (31:00) Did Jesus ever ask to be worshiped? (45:00) Download the mp3... Mentioned on ...
Sep 13, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about his New Zealand trip then answers questions about whether the creation of new fruits by farmers is an example of evolution, the definition of holiness, the definition of knowledge, and whether Mormonism is to Christianity as Christianity is to Judaism. Topics: Commentary: Greg’s trip to New Zealand (00:00) When farmers create new kinds of fruit, isn’t that evolution? (14:00) What’s the definition of holiness? (25:00) What’s the distinction between knowledge and wisdom? (36:00) H...
Sep 11, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast You’re betting your life on your answer to the question “Does God exist?” Greg considers what we can learn about the nature of reality simply by reflecting on two obvious facts that are available to everyone and then asking what best explains those two facts. Topics: Message: You Bet Your Life: A Simple Case Against Atheism (08:00) Things exist. (17:00) Torturing babies for fun is wrong. (43:00) What best explains these two facts? (51:00) Mentioned on the Show: Be One of the 100 – Become a strat...
Aug 30, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg answers questions about whether a private commitment can create a legitimate marriage, what Romans 14:12 means when it says we’ll give an account to God, baby dedications for same-sex couples, and reaching a spouse for Christ when they’re skeptical of your faith. Topics: If people make a commitment privately, is that a legitimate marriage? (06:00) When Romans 14:12 says that “each one of us will give an account of himself to God,” does that mean something will be based on our good works? (2...
Aug 28, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg answers questions about interpreting and using Paul’s list of qualifications for elders, the vetting process for church leaders and workers, what charismatics think about speaking in tongues, and the idea that morality is based on society’s definition of human flourishing. Topics: Is everything on Paul’s list of qualifications for elders required, and how do you interpret the “husband of one wife” requirement? (04:00) What should the vetting process be for church leaders and workers? (20:00...
Aug 23, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks to David Halevy about his outreach to Jews in Israel and his book, Returning the Favor, written to train people who want to share the gospel with Jewish people but don’t know how or are afraid of offending them. Topics: Interview: David Halevy, author of Returning the Favor: An Ambassador's Guide to the Jewish People (00:00) What is the biggest barrier Jews have to taking the gospel and Jesus as the Messiah seriously? (29:00) Responding to “I’m just not interested in Jesus.” (42:00) M...
Aug 21, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg chats with Ben Clifton of Apologetics on Mission about his work training Christian leaders around the world, then he answers a question from a concerned mom about how to respond to a “queer prom” at a children’s museum where she frequently takes her children. Topics: Interview: Ben Clifton, president of Apologetics on Mission (00:00) Do you have any advice about how I should respond to a “queer prom” that will be held at a children’s museum where I frequently take my children? (39:00) Menti...
Aug 16, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg answers questions about Jesus’ commands, what it means to follow Jesus, responding to someone who doesn’t like organized religion, the reasonableness of the Trinity, and whether belief in an eternal Hell is essential to the Christian faith. Topics: How many commands does Jesus have? (02:00) How would you respond to someone who said, “What does it mean to follow Jesus—not STR or any other organization, but Jesus”? (09:00) What would you say to someone who says he doesn’t like organized relig...
Aug 14, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg answers questions from callers about why the Holy Spirit isn’t more active in his people, whether monotheism is essential to the Christian faith, feeling like giving up at the end of one’s life, why we arrange worship services the way we do, and the transcendental argument. Topics: Why isn’t the Holy Spirit more active in his people? Why doesn’t he prevent divisions in the body of Christ? (04:00) Is monotheism essential to the Christian faith? (18:00) I’m old, tired, and in pain, and I just...
Aug 09, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg describes a conversation he had with someone about Hell and the gospel, then he answers questions about what to look out for when hiring a new pastor, whether or not it’s wrong to use instruments in worship, and why Greg ended up getting married later in life. Topics: Commentary: A conversation about Hell and the gospel (00:00) What should our church look out for when hiring a new pastor? (29:00) How would you respond to someone who says it’s wrong to use instruments in worship? (41:00) Why...
Aug 07, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about not interpreting Bible verses out of context as if they were originally written as discrete verses, then he answers a question about whether inclusivism is true or people need to know and trust in Jesus to be saved. Topics: Commentary: There are no verses in the Bible. (00:00) Do Protestants still disagree with Catholics on whether or not people need to know and believe in Jesus to be saved? (36:00) Mentioned on the Show: Be One of the 100 – Become a strategic partner One Way or...
Aug 02, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks to J. Warner Wallace, author of The Truth in True Crime: What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life, about the Christian worldview and human flourishing—the nature of wisdom, stable identity formation, selflessness and humility, and more. Topics: Interview: J. Warner Wallace, author of The Truth in True Crime (00:00) Mentioned on the Show: J. Warner Wallace The Truth in True Crime: What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life by J. Warner Wallace Op...
Jul 31, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks to callers about differences between Protestants and Catholics, whether Jesus ever told people to worship him, how to tell if an experience was spiritual, emotional, or demonic, whether or not Greg is a cessationist and why, and how to reach nominal Christians. Topics: Can you explain the differences between Protestants and Catholics? (00:00) Did Jesus ever tell people to worship him? (15:00) Is this sensation I’m experiencing something spiritual, something emotional, or something dem...
Jul 26, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about the nature and importance of humility, then he answers questions about whether we can determine which writings are Scripture just by looking at those writings and whether the fact that the Catholic church chose the canon is evidence of their authority. Topics: Commentary: What is humility? (00:00) Can we determine which writings are Scripture just by looking at those writings, and since the Catholic Church was the first to recognize the books of the Bible, shouldn’t that mean th...
Jul 24, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg responds to the idea that the Bible has a second-level spiritual meaning you have to find, then he answers questions about “once saved, always saved,” apologetics in the evangelical church, and what it means to number our days if we’re already either elect or non-elect. Topics: Commentary: The Bible doesn’t have a second-level spiritual meaning. (00:00) What does the Bible have to say about the doctrine of “once saved, always saved”? (23:00) Do you think there’s a lack of apologetics in the...
Jul 19, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg responds to the claims Christians are making about the failed assassination of Trump, then he talks to callers about moral vs. political issues, talking to LDS missionaries, having peace about lost loved ones, and loving LDS neighbors when you’re angry about harm caused by their religion. Topics: Commentary: Don’t presume you know God’s intentions. (00:00) What is the difference between a moral issue and a political issue? (20:00) What should I say to Mormon missionaries who still want to t...
Jul 17, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about why atheists can’t say something is wrong with the world, then he answers questions about children going to Heaven, a good Bible for New Agers, repeating numbers in the Bible, medication in the Bible, and whether the church is really the “bride of Christ.” Topics: Commentary: Nothing is wrong with the world if there is no God. (00:00) If children die before the age of accountability, do they go to Heaven? (05:00) Can you recommend a Bible for someone who has been affected by New...
Jul 12, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg reflects on the surprise of death and the surprise of what many will experience on the other side, then he talks to callers about whether mental illnesses exist and whether dispensational and Reformed views teach the same gospel. Topics: Commentary: The surprise of death (00:00) Do mental illnesses exist? (26:00) Do dispensational and Reformed views teach the same gospel? (44:00) Mentioned on the Show: Is the Bible Sufficient? by Greg Koukl Driven to Distraction by Edward M. Hallowell and J...
Jul 10, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg answers questions about whether steak will be on the menu in Heaven, a Christian high school requiring students to use the Enneagram in a class, and questions to ask a New Ager who is big on “spirituality” but doesn’t like the cross or the forgiveness of sins. Topics: Will steak be on the menu in Heaven? (02:00) How would you approach staff at a Christian high school where students are required to take a “life calling” class that uses the Enneagram? (29:00) What questions should I ask a New...
Jul 05, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg talks about how some questions about how to reach people are just hard to figure out, then he answers questions about who created God, using apologetics with someone who is mentally ill and hostile towards Christianity, and the best way to do corporate prayer. Topics: Commentary: There’s no silver bullet. (00:00) If the universe had to have a cause, then who created God? (17:00) How do you recommend using apologetics with someone who is mentally ill and hostile towards Christianity? (37:00)...
Jul 03, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Guest Host: Alan Shlemon Alan Shlemon talks about how to be a good ambassador for Christ to Muslims, the largest unreached people group on the planet, explaining their foundational objection to Christianity and how to address it, three things you need to engage them, and more. Topics: Our identity and job as ambassadors for Christ (00:00) Step one: Learn about Islam (12:00) The three primary authoritative sources in Islam (14:00) Muslim views on Jesus and jihad (22:00) Step two: Engage Muslims—t...
Jun 28, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Greg responds to a request for advice on how to move from a “listening for the voice of God” view to connecting with God in a way that’s biblically sound, discussing stages of Christian maturity and explaining how God matures Christians through suffering. Topics: What advice would you give to someone who’s transitioning from a “listening for the voice of God” view to connecting with God in a way that is biblically sound? (01:00) Mentioned on the Show: The Ambassador’s Guide to the Voice of God (...
Jun 26, 2024•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
