Stand To Reason Weekly Podcast

Greg chats with callers about how we know objective values exist and aren’t a delusion, how to redirect someone who’s on the wrong theological road, and how to navigate bringing apologetics to a church in a denomination that doesn’t allow outside speakers.   Topics: How do we know that objective moral values actually exist and we’re not deluded by culture or evolution? (05:00) How can I stop someone from going down a wrong theological road and redirect them towards the right path? (32:00) As I bring apologetics to my church, how can I navigate the exclusivity of my denomination, which doesn’t allow outside speakers? (45:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – November 7–8 in Minneapolis, MN; February 20–21, 2026 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Challenges by Greg Koukl Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air by Francis Beckwith and Greg Koukl

Greg answers questions about Darwinists who deny there’s something wrong with the world, attending a baptism at an LGBTQ-affirming church, why Christians have pets instead of giving the money to orphans, the name “Lord of Hosts,” and singing worship songs about our feelings.   Topics: You say everyone acknowledges there’s something wrong with the world, but how would you respond to a Darwinist who says that’s simply survival of the fittest, the dog-eat-dog nature of this place? (02:00) What are your thoughts on attending a baptism at a church that affirms LGBTQ lifestyles? (13:00) If humans are more valuable than animals, why do Christians have pets instead of giving the money to orphans? (24:00) Why does God refer to himself repeatedly as “the Lord of Heaven’s armies” (also translated as “Lord of Hosts” or “Lord of Sabaoth”)? (34:00) You said you don’t like to sing about your feelings, but don’t many of the psalms do this? What makes it difficult for us to sing songs with personal pronouns? (43:00)

Guest Host: Megan Almon   Megan Almon talks about the reality and nature of beauty, answers questions about introducing heavy cultural topics to young people who aren’t already asking about them and whether or not God would have destroyed the Israelites if Moses hadn’t intervened, and more.   Topics: Commentary: Beauty is real. (00:00) Is it dangerous to bring up the heavier questions of culture to young people in our church if they’re not asking the questions already? (34:00) If Moses hadn’t stepped in, would God have followed through and destroyed the Israelites? (41:00) Commentary: We can all create beauty with acts of everyday faithfulness. (46:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – November 7–8 in Minneapolis, MN; February 20–21, 2026 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis Cultural Apologetics: Renewing the Christian Voice, Conscience, and Imagination in a Disenchanted Worl

Greg and Tim finish their conversation about The Diary of a CEO, discussing anchoring one’s life in Christianity, the existence of evidence for Christianity, why the world is broken, pre-human animal suffering, evolving morality, advice for someone searching for meaning, and more.   Topics: Christianity can anchor your life because it’s true. (00:00) There is evidence that Christianity is true. (09:00) Spiritual thinker Dr. K’s response to why children get cancer. (13:00) Atheist Alex O’Connor challenges Greg’s explanation for why the world is broken. (20:00) What about pre-human animal suffering? (32:00) Does morality evolve over time? (41:00) Do people in every religion all over the world arrive at similar conclusions? (47:00) What Greg would say to someone searching for meaning. (53:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Greg on The Diary of a CEO Get a free copy of a chapter from The Story of Reality Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air by Francis Beckwith and Greg Koukl Related Links

Greg and Tim continue evaluating clips from The Diary of a CEO, discussing the need for meaning to inform purpose, whether evolution can explain our sense of meaning, whether subjective experience can be evidential, atheist Alex O’Connor’s advice for finding meaning, and more.   Topics: Meaning comes first, then purpose flows from meaning. (00:00) It’s not just a matter of finding “something” to give you purpose. (07:00) Is purpose found in working on a task you believe will fulfill you when you finish? (15:00) Can our sense of meaning be explained by evolution? (22:00) Is technology destroying our sense of meaning by exposing us to competing understandings of the world that show us our beliefs are merely subjective? (31:00) Can the subjective sense of meaning a person feels be evidence for the truth of his view? (37:00) Atheist Alex O’Connor’s advice for someone who wants to stir up feelings of meaning in his life. (46:00) What’s the purpose of religion? (52:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Gr

Greg and Tim review clips from a conversation between Greg, atheist Alex O’Connor, and Hindu Alok Kanojia, discussing why human beings flourish in a particular way, the foundation of meaning and purpose, the meaning crisis, Alex’s paperclip analogy, and more.   Topics: Greg was on The Diary of a CEO with host Steven Bartlett, atheist Alex O’Connor, and Hindu Alok Kanojia. (00:00) The biblical take on reality is the best explanation for the way things are. (06:00) Is “death denial” behind our attempts to make meaning in our lives? (17:00) Why is there a meaning crisis? (26:00) Does the paperclip analogy disprove Greg’s claim that we find purpose in doing what we were created to do? (32:00) Would you do anything meaningful if you thought everything would cease to exist tomorrow? (44:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Greg on The Diary of a CEO The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl Get a free copy of a chapter from The

Greg answers questions about how to tell the difference between your own thoughts and God speaking to you, near death experiences, cremation vs. the regular burial process, leaving a church without feeling a calling from God, and dealing with burnout in ministry.   Topics: How can I tell the difference between my thoughts and God speaking to me? (02:00) What do you think about the near death experiences where Jesus gives people a second chance at life? (19:00) What are your thoughts on cremation vs. the regular burial process? (37:00) What advice do you have for someone who is going through burnout, and would you say it’s okay to look for a job at a different church even if we’re not feeling a calling from God to do so? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 by Greg Koukl Beyond Death: Exploring the Evidence for Immortality by Gary Habermas and J.P. Moreland

Greg talks about atheist Alex O’Connor’s use of suffering as an argument against God, then he answers a caller’s question about how God could create people with autism—something that adds such difficulties to a person’s life and makes it harder for people to connect with God.   Topics: Commentary: Why an emotivist can’t use suffering to argue against the existence of God (00:00) How could God create people with autism? (31:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Greg on The Diary of a CEO Get a free copy of a chapter from The Story of Reality How God Destroyed My Atheism – David Wood’s testimony

Greg talks about his experience on The Diary of a CEO podcast talking about meaning and purpose with Alex O’Connor and Alok Kanojia, then he answers questions about whether the term “innocent” can be applied to a fetal human being and whether Cain went to Heaven.   Topics: Commentary: Greg’s experience on The Diary of a CEO podcast (00:00) How would you respond to a pro-choice meme that says the term “innocent” applies only to a being that can do wrong but chooses not to, and since fetuses can’t do anything, the concept of innocence can’t be applied to them? (44:00) Did Cain go to Heaven? (52:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Greg on The Diary of a CEO Get a free copy of a chapter from The Story of Reality

Greg gives advice to students starting college and responds to a question about being aware of what’s being taught that might go against Christianity, then he gives advice to callers on making a case for the Christian God at a local university and apologetics topics to cover in a youth group.   Topics: Commentary: Advice for students starting college (00:00) Do you have any advice on how to approach my opportunity to speak on the topic “Why My God Is Right” at a local university? (21:00) Do you have advice on apologetics topics to talk about in a youth group? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show:  The Trouble with the Elephant by Greg Koukl Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World by Josh and Sean McDowell The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl Related Links: Five Apologetics Questions You Need to Think Through by Amy Hall

Greg reflects on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and a question he received about why God would let something like this happen, then he talks to a caller about what it means to be a biblically faithful Christian in politics right now.   Topics: Commentary: The assassination of Charlie Kirk (00:00) What does it mean to be a biblically faithful Christian in politics right now? (28:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi Reality Student Apologetics Conference – October 17–18 in Seattle, WA; November 7–8 in Minneapolis, MN; February 20–21, 2026 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA Truth Rising – Watch for free online Related Links: Wilberforce by John Pollock William Wilberforce: His Unpublished Spiritual Journals by Michael McMullen Grace Victorious: The Story of William Wilberforce – Focus on the Family Radio Theat

Greg talks to John Stonestreet about the Truth Rising documentary, the civilizational moment we’re in, what we’re called to do in light of this, and stories of some who are currently standing for Christ and the truth, then he answers a question about how to communicate the gospel.   Topics: Interview: John Stonestreet on the Truth Rising documentary, the state of the West, and how we can be a voice for truth and courage (00:00) Do you have a systematic approach to helping people understand the gospel of Christ? (39:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – October 17–18 in Seattle, WA; November 7–8 in Minneapolis, MN; February 20–21, 2026 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA John Stonestreet – President of the Colson Center Truth Rising – Watch for free online A Practical View of Christianity by William Wilberforce The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Consideri

Greg answers questions about whether it’s okay to quote a single verse, why Jesus didn’t heal everyone, recommended study Bibles and commentaries, persevering with someone who isn’t responding well, and whether couples should agree on secondary and tertiary issues.   Topics: Commentary: It’s okay to quote a single verse...if you understand the context. (00:00) How many lepers and blind people did Jesus not heal, and why? (16:00) Which study Bible and commentary would you most recommend? (25:00) Should I keep trying to talk to someone who isn’t responding well? (38:00) Should a couple agree on every secondary and tertiary theological issue? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Never Read a Bible Verse by Greg Koukl #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson Dogmatic Theology by William G.T. Shedd, edited by Alan Gomes Institutes of Elenctic Theology by Francis Turretin Systematic Theology, Second Edition: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem

Greg adds another thought to the objection he addressed in the last episode, then he answers questions about possible proof Proverbs 21:30 is objectively true, drawing lots to get a message from God, grace for sanctification, and blaming God for bad things that happen.   Topics: Commentary: Man’s free will doesn’t determine the course of the universe. (00:00) Does the fact that reason, logic, and deduction seem to be irreducibly complex prove that Proverbs 21:30 is objectively true and not just religious jargon? (06:00) How should we take the Acts 1:23–26 passage, where they drew lots to get a message from God about who should replace Judas, and when is it our place to challenge leaders who are teaching something that isn’t biblical? (14:00) Does the Bible teach that grace is required for sanctification? (29:00) Why does God get the credit for all good things but doesn’t get the blame for bad things (like natural disasters or disease)? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Upcoming events with Stand t

Greg responds to the challenge that it’s arbitrary for God to limit our opportunity to repent and believe to this lifetime, then he talks to callers about a contradiction in Genesis, the lack of spiritual growth in babies who are never born, and whether God or parents create souls.   Topics: Commentary: Why does God limit our opportunity to repent and believe to this lifetime? (00:00) How would you respond to an atheist who claims Genesis 1:11–12 and 1:26–27 conflict with Genesis 2:4–9? (28:00) If our spiritual growth happens here, what does that mean for babies who die in the womb? (47:00) Does God create souls and set them in bodies, or do parents create the souls of their children? (51:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Donate to Stand to Reason Related Links: Why Did God Create People if He Knew So Many Would Go to Hell? by Amy Hall

Greg responds to objections to his view that God’s voice can’t be missed, then he answers questions about thanking God for his goodness when something bad doesn’t happen, defending penal substitutionary atonement, Iran and the Ezekiel 38 prophecy, and the nature of identity.   Topics: Commentary: Challenges to Greg’s view that God’s voice can’t be missed (00:00) Am I wrong to object when people say God is good when something bad almost happens but doesn’t? (19:00) How should I respond to my deconstructing friend’s objections to penal substitutionary atonement? (32:00) What are your thoughts on the theory that the Iran bombing in June was the start of the prophecy in Ezekiel 38? (45:00) If a man switches the boards in his porch with the boards in his neighbor’s porch one at a time until he has all of his neighbor’s boards, has he stolen his neighbor’s porch? (48:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Be One of the 100 – Become a strategic partner When God Speaks by Greg Koukl Reality Student Apologetics

Greg explains that a relationship with God doesn’t look the same as one with a human being, then he talks to callers about an apologetics approach, why Jesus seems to downplay being called the Son of God, and why God doesn’t always answer prayers for someone’s salvation.   Topics: Commentary: We have a relationship with God on his terms, not on ours. (00:00) Am I committing any logical fallacies in the approach I’m using with skeptics? (25:00) Why does Jesus seem to downplay being called the Son of God in John 10:33–36? (38:00) In light of Ezekiel 18:32, 2 Peter 3:9, and Luke 18:1, why doesn’t God answer our consistent prayers for someone’s salvation? (45:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Be One of the 100 – Become a strategic partner When God Speaks by Greg Koukl Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 12–13 in Atlanta, GA; October 17–18 in Seattle, WA; November 7–8 in Minneapolis, MN; February 20–21, 2026 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25, 2026 in Los Ang

Greg talks to callers about a challenge to what he said about the transcendental argument last week, how someone can find his way to believing in God or anything supernatural, and a suggestion about how the life of Christ in us might relate to how God speaks to us.   Topics: Contrary to what you said last week, doesn’t the existence of a microphone require the existence of God? (04:00) How would I find my way to believing in God or anything supernatural? (28:00) What do you think about my understanding of how the life of Christ in us relates to how God speaks to us? (48:00)   Mentioned on the Show:  Be One of the 100 – Become a strategic partner Red Pen Logic – YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Thoughts on the Transcendental Argument – Last week’s episode Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 12–13 in Atlanta, GA; October 17–18 in Seattle, WA; November 7–8 in Minneapolis, MN; February 20–21, 2026 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25, 2026 in Los Ang

Greg chats with Alan Shlemon about transgenderism and intersex conditions, then they talk about why the popular idea that Jesus’ identity was embellished over time and evolved in the Gospels is incorrect.   Topics: Greg talks to Alan Shlemon about transgenderism and intersex conditions. (00:00) Alan Shlemon explains why the popular idea that the Gospel writers embellished Jesus’ identity over time is incorrect. (42:00)   Mentioned on the Show:  Be One of the 100 – Become a strategic partner Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 12–13 in Atlanta, GA; October 17–18 in Seattle, WA; November 7–8 in Minneapolis, MN; February 20–21, 2026 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA Red Pen Logic – YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook STR Outposts What Is a Man? What Is a Woman? by Alan Shlemon Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail Shrier What Is a Woman? – Documentary Did the Disciples Embellish J

Greg answers questions from callers on the transcendental argument, the scapegoat theory of the atonement that’s popular in progressive circles, and an objection an atheist would make to Greg’s “blind beach-writer” argument for intelligent design.   Topics: What’s your opinion on the transcendental argument? (03:00) What response can I give to the scapegoat theory of the atonement that’s popular in progressive circles, which is against penal substitution and is more political in how it frames the implications of the atonement? (30:00) What objection would an atheist make to the comparison between Dawkins’s blind watchmaker and Koukl’s blind beach-writer, and how would you respond? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Be One of the 100 – Become a strategic partner Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 12–13 in Atlanta, GA; October 17–18 in Seattle, WA; November 7–8 in Minneapolis, MN; February 20–21, 2026 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25, 2026 in Los Angeles