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Start / #STRask
#STRask
Stand to Reason’s Greg Koukl and Amy Hall answer questions on ethics, theology, apologetics, and culture from a Christian perspective.
100 avsnitt • Längd: 25 min • Veckovis: Torsdag
Om podden
Stand to Reason’s Greg Koukl and Amy Hall answer questions on ethics, theology, apologetics, and culture from a Christian perspective. Submit your questions on Twitter using the hashtag #STRask.
The podcast #STRask is created by Stand to Reason. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
Avsnitt
Why Should We Treat Everyone Respectfully?
21 november 2024 |
28 min
Questions about why we should treat everyone respectfully, how to reconcile Jesus calling the Pharisees a brood of vipers with the instructions in 1 Peter 3:15 to treat people with gentleness and respect, and the charge that Christians have no evidence for God.
- How would you explain to a believer why we should treat everyone respectfully when Hitler shouldn’t have been treated respectfully?
- How do we reconcile Jesus calling the Pharisees a brood of vipers with 1 Peter 3:15, which says we should show gentleness and respect when defending the faith?
- Religion is synonymous with pretending to know things you do not know. No man has ever seen God. No Christian has any evidence for God. Yet you claim authority based on a book and an invisible God. Talk about ego. Wow!
How Would You Respond to the Current Mainstream View of the Historical Jesus?
18 november 2024 |
22 min
Questions about how to respond to the current mainstream view of the historical Jesus and the allegations that Jesus just ripped off material from ancient religions that preceded him.
- How would you respond to the current mainstream view of the historical Jesus?
- How should I respond to the allegations that Jesus just ripped off material from ancient religions that preceded him?
How Do You Convince a Former Christian That Jesus Is God?
14 november 2024 |
21 min
Questions about how to convince a former Christian that Jesus is God, whether Jesus’ human nature was created, and what the Bible means when it says Jesus is the firstborn.
- How do you convince a former Christian that Jesus is God?
- Is it wrong to describe Jesus’ human nature as created, and how should I respond to a Jehovah’s Witness who says that a firstborn, if not the first to be born, must be a member of the group he is preeminent over?
Do You Need to Forgive God?
11 november 2024 |
24 min
Questions about whether we ever need to forgive God in order to heal our emotions, whether it’s unbiblical to tell someone he needs to forgive himself, why poor people were allowed to offer a flour sacrifice without blood, and whether it’s wrong to call out one another’s sins.
- Is it true that sometimes we need to forgive God in order to heal our emotions?
- Is it unbiblical advice to tell someone he needs to forgive himself?
- If there is no forgiveness without the shedding of blood, why were poor people allowed to offer flour as a sin offering in Leviticus 5?
- What would you say to a pastor who said we should let the Holy Spirit change people and not call out one another’s sins?
What Progressive Christian Teachings Should I Look Out For?
7 november 2024 |
29 min
Questions about what progressive Christian teachings one should look out for and whether John 16:12–13 provides justification for the views of progressive Christians.
- I’ve been hearing about progressive Christianity and wondering what I should look for when it comes to unbiblical teaching.
- Some progressive Christians and churches cite John 16:12–13 as justification for their views. If that passage doesn’t mean what they say, what does it mean?
How Do We Know Moses Interpreted His Experiences of God Correctly?
4 november 2024 |
28 min
Questions about how we know the biblical authors (Moses, etc.) interpreted their subjective experiences of receiving revelation from God correctly as opposed to Mohammed or Joseph Smith and how to respond to the idea that we can have different truths and both be right.
- All supposed revelation of religions involves a subjective experience of receiving that revelation, so how do we know the biblical authors (Moses, the prophets, etc.) were interpreting their experiences correctly as opposed to Mohammed or Joseph Smith?
- How should I respond to a meme claiming that your truth is not my truth and we can both be right?
How Is Biblical Inspiration Different from Automatic Writing?
31 oktober 2024 |
22 min
Questions about how biblical inspiration differs from automatic writing, whether or not we don’t know who wrote 74% of the New Testament, signing a man-made statement of faith, and how, if the Word of God is powerful, someone who taught it faithfully can go rogue theologically.
- How is divine inspiration of the Scriptures different from the automatic writing they have in cults?
- It really does not bother you that you don’t know who wrote 74% of the New Testament? It could have been anybody.
- Is it okay for me to comply with a new requirement for clergy in my denomination to pledge fidelity in writing to its statement of faith?
- If the Word of God is powerful, how can a preacher who once taught the Word faithfully go rogue theologically?
How Is God Just If So Many Wrongs Go Unpunished?
28 oktober 2024 |
23 min
Questions about how God could be just if so many wrongs go unpunished, an objection to God punishing people in Hell, and whether God’s promise to meet all our needs according to his riches in Christ Jesus is referring to physical needs, spiritual needs, or both.
- The cross only upholds justice between God and man, but where is justice among men? How is God just if so many wrongs go unpunished?
- An infinite being existing outside of the time and space he created will set us on fire if we don’t let him be called King of our planet? Is that usual behavior for deities?
- Is God’s promises to meet all our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus referring to physical needs, spiritual needs, or both?
Is the Principle of Double Effect Legitimate When It Comes to Abortion?
24 oktober 2024 |
28 min
Questions about the legitimacy of the principle of double effect when it comes to abortion and saving the mother’s life, whether laws should protect the unborn baby at the expense of the mother’s life, laws for non-viable pregnancies, and changing pro-choice areas vs. leaving.
- Is it just a cop-out to cite the principle of double effect when the unborn baby dies as a result of saving the mother’s life?
- What should lawmakers do when it comes to situations where the mother has to choose between her life and her baby’s life? Should she be forced to carry the baby and die as a result?
- Do pro-life abortion policies make it difficult for doctors to assist pregnant patients because they have to wait until the mother is in danger to address non-viable pregnancies?
- Is it better to stay in an area that’s historically pro-choice and try to change it or move to a pro-life area?
What Biblical Principles Should Guide How We Vote?
21 oktober 2024 |
31 min
Question about what biblical principles should guide how we vote.
- What biblical principles should guide how we vote?
Should We Only Study the Truth in the Bible and Not Learn About Other Beliefs?
17 oktober 2024 |
21 min
Questions about whether we should only study the truth in the Bible and not learn about other beliefs, whether the apologetics approach is contrary to the warning in 2 John 10, and the biggest change STR has seen in the types of questions asked over the years.
- If people who are trained to identify fake currency only study the real currency, should we therefore only study the Bible and not learn about other beliefs?
- Isn’t the apologetics approach contrary to 2 John 10, which tells us not to let anyone in our home who has an opposing view?
- What’s the biggest change STR has seen in the types of questions asked over the years?
When Does a Human Receive a Soul?
14 oktober 2024 |
21 min
Questions about when a human receives a soul and how to respond to someone who rejects science, reason, philosophy, and objective morality in her effort to defend abortion, saying that pro-lifers just want to control women.
- When does a human receive a soul? In the zygote stage, the cells haven’t differentiated yet, and some become the placenta, but the placenta doesn’t have a soul, so why would the zygote?
- Should I give up trying to persuade someone who rejects science, reason, philosophy, and objective morality in her effort to defend abortion, saying that pro-lifers just want to control women?
What if God Intended for My Child to Transition from a Girl to a Boy?
10 oktober 2024 |
22 min
Questions about how to respond to someone who says that maybe God intended for her daughter to transition from a girl to a boy and how kids in a small youth group with a child who identifies as non-binary can navigate that situation with respect and allegiance to the Word of God.
- How do I respond to my sister who says that God doesn’t make mistakes and maybe he chose for her daughter to be trans as a challenge for her to overcome (i.e., he intended for her daughter to transition from a girl to a boy)?
- How can my 10- and 12-year-olds, who are in a small youth group with a child who identifies as non-binary, navigate this situation with respect as well as allegiance to the Word of God?
How Do We Know if the Good Things We Experience Are the Result of God’s Actions?
7 oktober 2024 |
25 min
Questions about how we know if the good things we experience are the result of God’s actions, whether something can be considered a miracle if it can be explained scientifically, and how to respond to atheists who are mocking a Christian’s prayers for rain.
- Believers credit God for the good things that happen to them, but good things happen to non-believers also, so how do we know if the good things we experience are the direct result of God’s actions or would have just happened anyway without his involvement?
- Can something still be considered a miracle from God if it can be explained scientifically?
- Recently, a Christian who said he was praying for rain in a drought was mocked by atheists who said prayer won’t create rain. How does one respond to this when the drought continues despite many prayers?
How Would One Argue That a Particular Truth Is Self-Evident?
3 oktober 2024 |
34 min
Questions about how one would argue that a particular truth is self-evident, the biblical justification for the claim of our Founding Fathers that God gave us the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and the right to liberty vs. submitting to governing authorities.
- How would one argue that a particular truth is self-evident?
- What is the biblical justification for the claim of our Founding Fathers that God gave us the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and what are the limits of our right to liberty in light of our command to submit to our governing authorities?
Does the Bible Explicitly Forbid Premarital Sex?
30 september 2024 |
20 min
Questions about whether the Bible explicitly forbids premarital sex and whether Song of Songs 2:4–6 promotes premarital sex.
- How should I respond to someone who says the Bible never explicitly forbids premarital sex?
- Does Song of Songs 2:4–6 promote premarital sex?
Do We Always Need to Make the Case that Christian Morality Is the Best Way to Live?
26 september 2024 |
21 min
Questions about whether Christians can simply say that God’s moral requirements are a show of loyalty to him rather than argue they’re the best way to live, whether references to unforgivable sins contradict the idea that all our sins are forgiven, and praying for Satan.
- Christians often try to make the case that Christian morality is the best way to live, but at some point could we simply say God’s requirements are a show of loyalty to him irrespective of any possible impact on society?
- How does the idea that all our sins have been forgiven align with the many references to mortal sins that can’t be forgiven?
- How would you respond to Mark Twain’s question about why no Christian has had the common humanity to pray for Satan?
How Can I Help Someone Move Away from the Fact-Value Split?
23 september 2024 |
22 min
Questions about how to help a friend move away from his belief that objective facts about religious issues, unlike scientific facts, are “just someone’s belief” and how to respond to an atheist who keeps dismissing every argument and demanding “verified” evidence.
- How can I help a friend who thinks objective facts about religious issues are, unlike scientific facts, “just someone’s belief” move away from the fact-value split?
- How should I respond to an atheist who keeps demanding “verified” evidence and dismissing every argument I offer by saying it’s not verified?
What Do I Tell a Child Who Feels Guilty for Not Wanting to Read the Bible?
19 september 2024 |
21 min
Questions about what to tell a child who feels guilty for not wanting to read the Bible because he finds it boring and confusing, what Bible was printed before King James published his version, and whether or not the original versions are available in English.
- What do I tell a child who feels guilty for not wanting to read the Bible because he finds it boring and confusing?
- Was King James greedy and power-hungry, and did he have a version of the Bible written to support the royal kingdom? What was printed before King James published his version, and are the original versions available in English?
What Would You Say in a High School Graduation Speech?
16 september 2024 |
21 min
Questions about what we would say in a high school graduation speech if given the opportunity, how to talk to talk about eternity with a six-year-old who is disturbed by the thought of Heaven never ending, and where Jesus is now if he has a body.
- If you had the opportunity to give the high school graduation speech, what would you say?
- How should I talk to my six-year-old about eternity when she struggles with the thought of it never ending and says she wishes she would have never been born so she didn’t have to live in Heaven forever?
- If Jesus has a body, where is he?
If Holy People Are So Interested in Politics, Shouldn’t Churches Be Taxed?
12 september 2024 |
23 min
Questions about whether churches ought to be taxed if holy people are so interested in politics and how to respond to the claim that conservative Christians changed their minds about slavery and segregation and will eventually also change their minds about LGBTQ+ rights.
- They ought to tax churches. If holy people are so interested in politics, government, and public policy, let them pay the price of admission like everyone else.
- Conservative Christians were once for slavery and segregation and against women’s suffrage, but they’ve changed their minds now, and they’ll eventually change their minds about LGBTQ+ rights too.
Why Think the Evidence for the Resurrection Is Strong if Saul Wasn’t Convinced by It?
9 september 2024 |
24 min
Questions about why anyone should think the evidence for the resurrection is strong if Saul and the majority of first-century Jews found it insufficient, why Jesus came to to the Jews rather than another nationality, and how other nationalities came about through Noah.
- Why should educated non-Christians today trust apologists’ claims that the evidence for the resurrection is strong if Saul and the overwhelming majority of first-century Jews found it insufficient?
- Why did Jesus come specifically to the Jews rather than to a Chinese family or African or any other nationality, and how did those other nationalities come about through Noah?
Where Did the Essence God Is Composed of Come From?
5 september 2024 |
21 min
Questions about where the essence God is composed of came from, whether God has the same choices other beings have and could choose not to exist, and how to convince a non-believer God matters if he’s undetectable and a non-interventionist.
- If things have to have a beginning, and God is something and not nothing, then where did the essence he is composed of come from? Can something create itself?
- Does God have the same choices other beings have, and could he could choose not to be, like other beings can, or is he somehow outside of being and non-being, thus not being a being at all?
- If God is undetectable and a non-interventionist, then how do I convince a non-believer he matters? Does he only matter because of the afterlife?
Isn’t It Better to Do Good for Goodness’ Sake?
2 september 2024 |
26 min
Questions about it being better to do good for goodness’ sake rather than to earn approval and avoid punishment and a good initial approach to take with someone who rejects God based on his “violent” and “oppressive” character in the Old Testament.
- I want my children to do good for goodness’ sake. Doing it to earn my approval and avoid my punishment is the absolute worst outcome I can imagine, as is requiring them to relentlessly thank me for helping them find it—and I’m just a human!
- What's a good initial approach to take with someone who rejects God based on his “violent” and “oppressive” character in the Old Testament, regardless of good arguments about his being objectively moral?
How Is Access to God in the New Covenant Different from the Old Covenant?
29 augusti 2024 |
26 min
Questions about how access to God through Jesus in the New Covenant differs from access in the Old Covenant, whether the salvation of Gentiles is just a means to the end of making Israel jealous, and the idea that theology is only personal and contextual, not objective.
- How is access to God through Jesus in the New Covenant different from the access Jews had to God in the Old Covenant?
- Is the salvation of Gentiles just a means to the end of making Israel jealous (see Romans 11:11–16)? How is this supposed to make us Gentiles feel?
- How would you respond to someone who said, “Theology is personal and interpersonal work, so don’t believe claims that any theology is objective; it’s all personal and interpersonal and contextual”?
Your Religion Prohibits You, Not Me
26 augusti 2024 |
24 min
Question about how to respond to a meme that says, “Your religion does not prohibit me from anything. It prohibits you. Learn the difference.”
- How should I respond to a meme that says, “Your religion does not prohibit me from anything. It prohibits you. Learn the difference”?
Why Emphasize Evangelism When the Bible Only Mentions the Great Commission Four Times?
22 augusti 2024 |
23 min
Questions about why evangelism is emphasized above other commands in the Bible, what to do when speaking the truth in love hurts someone’s feelings, and how to best love and share the gospel with a friend who rejects it because of bad experiences with Christians.
- Why is it hammered into us that Christians need to go out and evangelize when the Great Commission is mentioned only four times in the Bible and other commands spoken of throughout the Bible (love, servitude, humility, etc.) seem to get less exhortation?
- How should I deal with someone saying, “You hurt my feelings,” when I’m speaking the truth in love? What do I do when preaching the gospel hurts someone’s feelings because it exposes their sin, and how can I debunk the current worship of feelings?
- How can I best love a friend who has repeatedly rejected the gospel because of negative experiences she’s had in hostile Christian circles?
Is It Circular Reasoning to Say the Bible Is True Because God Says It’s True?
19 augusti 2024 |
23 min
Questions about whether it’s circular reasoning to say the Bible is true because God says it’s true, how we can know when sarcasm or some other relevant tone is being used in the Bible, and whether tithing results in God’s faithful provision and financial blessings.
- Is it circular reasoning to say the Bible is true because God says it’s true (in the Bible)?
- How can we accurately read stories like 2 Chronicles 18:12–16, where it seems as if Micaiah was using sarcasm? How do we know when there is an important tone in play?
- Is it biblical for someone to say, “I’m so thankful for tithing and knowing God faithfully meets our needs because of our faithfulness”?
- Does the pouring out of blessings from Heaven when we test God with the tithe, spoken of in Malachi 3:10, refer to financial blessings?
God Didn’t Save Me from My Childhood Trauma
15 augusti 2024 |
25 min
Questions about how to respond to someone who rejects God because he didn’t save her from her childhood trauma when she prayed for help and whether it’s wrong to respond to the psalm that says, “What can man do to me,” by thinking, “They can do a lot!”
- Can you help me respond to someone who rejects God because he didn’t save her from her childhood trauma when she prayed for help?
- Is it a sin that when I read the psalm that says, “What can man do to me,” my response is to think, “They can do a lot—rape, torture, kill, abuse, manipulate, and intimidate.”
If God Commanded You to Kill a Baby, Would You Do It—Yes or No?
12 augusti 2024 |
27 min
Question about whether or not we would kill a baby if God commanded us to do it.
- If God commanded you to kill a baby, would you do it—yes or no?
Should Christians Make Use of the Concept of Meditation?
8 augusti 2024 |
27 min
Questions about Christians making use of the concept of meditation, advice for discussions with panentheists, and how to not be discouraged when pastors don’t use apologetics when it would be the perfect time to do so.
- How might Christians appropriately make use of the concept of meditation, or should this sort of thing be avoided?
- Do you have any tips or questions for discussions with New Age spiritualists—in particular, panentheists?
- How can we not become discouraged when pastors or teachers do not use apologetics when it would be the perfect time to do so?
Is It Okay to Pray for the Destruction and Downfall of Our Enemies?
5 augusti 2024 |
24 min
Questions about whether it’s okay to pray for the destruction and downfall of our enemies, how to reconcile the idea that God doesn’t tempt people with the fact that he led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted, and why believers need to ask forgiveness for their sins.
- We use psalms in worship and model our prayers after them, but is it okay to pray for the destruction and downfall of our enemies like we see in the imprecatory psalms?
- How do we reconcile the idea that God doesn’t tempt people and isn’t the “author of evil“ with the fact that he led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted in Luke 4?
- If God sees believers as blameless, why do we need to ask forgiveness for our sins?
Can I Be Acting on Godly Wisdom if My Choice Is Giving Me Deep Pain?
1 augusti 2024 |
22 min
Questions about whether you can be acting on godly wisdom if your choice is giving you deep pain, how a combat vet who has difficulty going to church due to PTSD can find peace with who he is, and whether a Christian can be a public defender and represent criminals.
- Can I be acting on godly wisdom if my choice is giving me deep pain?
- I am a combat vet with PTSD who has difficulty connecting with people and doesn’t do well in crowds, which makes it difficult to go to church and have friends and fellowship and leads me to question my faith. How can I find peace with who I am?
- Can a Christian be a public defender and represent people charged with a crime?
Is Humanity’s Justice Better Than God’s?
29 juli 2024 |
28 min
Questions about whether humanity’s justice is better than God’s, what to say to a Muslim who asks why God’s justice requires him to punish sin instead of just forgiving without punishment, and why so much blood, torture, and slaughter for Jesus.
- God is not just. Humanity’s justice attempts to fit a punishment to the crime and aims for rehabilitation and restoration to the community rather than eternal damnation.
- What would you say to a Muslim who asks why God’s justice requires him to punish sin instead of just forgiving without punishment?
- Why so much blood, torture, and slaughter for Jesus?
Why Didn’t God Start Humanity Over Right Away by Destroying Adam and Eve?
25 juli 2024 |
24 min
Questions about why God didn’t start humanity over right away by destroying Adam and Eve instead of waiting for the flood, whether another fall will be possible in the new creation (and what that means for our free will), and why God didn’t make us “fall-proof” from the beginning.
- Why didn’t God start humanity over right away by destroying Adam and Eve if he knew he was going to have to destroy an evil generation with the flood later on?
- In the new heavens and earth, will another fall of humanity be possible, and could this create an infinite loop of creation and fall? If not, does this mean there will be a lack of free will in the new creation, and why wouldn’t this “fall-proof” design have been God’s original choice for creation?
What Does Boasting in Our Weaknesses Look Like?
22 juli 2024 |
30 min
Questions about what the Bible means by “boasting in our weaknesses” (2 Cor. 12:7–10), what it means to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts” (1 Pet. 3:13–15), and whether giving our lives to Christ means we can’t have other interests besides God.
- What does the Bible mean by “boasting in our weaknesses,” and what does this look like in our lives?
- In 1 Peter 3:15, what does it mean to “sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts”?
- We’re to give our lives to Christ, but how much living do we get to do outside of Christ? Can we have hobbies, jobs, relaxation time, further education, or other interests besides God?
How Could God Kill All the Firstborn Babies in the Tenth Plague?
18 juli 2024 |
26 min
Questions about how God could kill all the firstborn babies in the tenth plague, how to respond to someone who says God committed genocide when he destroyed the earth during the flood, and whether God still creates calamity today as it says in Isaiah 45:7.
- How could God kill all the firstborn babies in the tenth plague?
- How should I respond to someone who says God committed genocide when he destroyed the earth during the flood?
- Does God still create calamity today as it says in Isaiah 45:7?
Does the Bible Say That Someday Everyone Will Worship God?
15 juli 2024 |
26 min
Questions about whether the Bible says that someday everyone in the world will worship God, the purpose of worshiping God, and whether it might be the case that God has created another universe where that creation also gives him glory.
- Does it say anywhere in the Bible that someday everyone (all the world) will worship God? [Note: after recording this episode, we also came across Psalm 66:3–4, which says that “all the earth will worship” God, but also that his enemies will give him “feigned obedience.”]
- What is the purpose of worshiping God?
- If God maximizes his glory in this universe, is it reasonable to think he’s maximized his glory in another universe or in some other creative act that involves his creation giving him glory?
Is Post-Mortem Salvation an Orthodox Doctrine?
11 juli 2024 |
22 min
Questions about whether post-mortem salvation is an orthodox doctrine, reconciling a verse about God removing our transgressions from us with verses about each of us having to give an account to God on judgment day, and how to recognize true conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit.
- Is post-mortem repentance and salvation an orthodox doctrine?
- How do we reconcile Psalm 103:12, which says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us,” with Matthew 12:36 and Romans 14:12, which speak of each person having to give an account of himself to God on the day of judgment?
- How do we tell the difference between conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit and feelings that are just either scrupulosity or the devil’s accusations?
Doesn’t Acts Argue That Not All Believers Receive the Holy Spirit?
8 juli 2024 |
22 min
Questions about why we should think the new believers in Acts 5:14 received the Holy Spirit when Acts seems to argue that not all believers necessarily receive the Spirit and whether “Holy Ghost” is a degrading term for the Holy Spirit.
- Why should we think the new believers in Acts 5:14 received the Holy Spirit when it doesn’t say so? Doesn’t Acts argue that not all believers necessarily receive the Holy Spirit, especially given 8:9–17?
- Is “Holy Ghost” a degrading term for the Holy Spirit?
How Can I Convince Someone They Shouldn’t Rely on AI to Find Truth?
4 juli 2024 |
26 min
Questions about how to show someone that relying on AI for answers is a flawed way of finding truth, the role personal testimony should play in apologetics, and whether it’s sinful to not be more like Ray Comfort when talking to people you might not see again.
- How can I show someone that entirely relying on AI for answers is a flawed way of finding truth?
- What role, if any, should personal testimony play in apologetics?
- I feel convicted that I’m not sharing the gospel enough. Is it sinful that I can’t be like Ray Comfort when I’m talking to people I might not see again?
Should I Stick with My Decision if I Prayed About It Beforehand?
1 juli 2024 |
21 min
Questions about whether you should stick with a decision you made that didn’t work out as you hoped if you prayed about it beforehand and how you can know for sure if God is calling you to do something.
- If a decision you made after much research and prayer didn’t work out as you hoped, is it okay to change direction, or should you stick with it since you prayed about it beforehand?
- How do you know for sure if God is actually calling you to do something?
Won’t Jesus Only Be Able to Interact with One Person at a Time?
27 juni 2024 |
24 min
Questions about how being with Jesus continually will be the highlight of eternity if he’ll only be able to interact with one person at a time since he has a physical body and how a scholarly Jewish rabbi would defend his position that Jesus is not the Messiah.
- It seems like being in Jesus’ presence continually will be the highlight of eternity, but since he has a physical body, won’t he only be able to interact with one person at a time?
- How would a scholarly Jewish rabbi defend his position that Jesus is not the Messiah?
Was Jesus’ Death Really a Sacrifice if He Knew He Would Rise Again?
24 juni 2024 |
23 min
Questions about why God the Father required a sacrifice (and whether Jesus’ short-term death was really a sacrifice), whether Jesus’ disciples ever offered sacrifices at the temple, and what it means to say that sin causes separation from God if God is omnipresent.
- Why did God the Father require a sacrifice, and if Jesus knew he would rise again in three days, was his death really a sacrifice?
- Did Jesus’ disciples ever offer sacrifices at the temple, and if not, why not?
- How can I explain the idea that “sin causes separation from God” to someone who believes that it denies God’s omnipresence and denies Jesus interacted with sinners?
Why Weren’t the Israelites Explicitly Forbidden to Practice Polygamy?
20 juni 2024 |
22 min
Questions about how to reconcile the biblical model of marriage with polygamy in the Old Testament, why the Israelites weren’t explicitly forbidden to practice polygamy, and how we can gain wisdom from Solomon about marriage when he had 700 wives and 300 concubines.
- How can we reconcile the biblical model of marriage (one man, one woman, one flesh, one lifetime) with the deviations from this model in the Old Testament, especially involving polygamy?
- What are your thoughts on why the Israelites were not explicitly forbidden to practice polygamy?
- How is it that we gain so much knowledge and wisdom from Solomon regarding marriage and relationships when he had 700 wives and 300 concubines?
What Should I Say to a Reformed Christian Who Dismisses Many Non-Believers as Lost Causes?
17 juni 2024 |
21 min
Questions about the best way to respond to someone who believes in double predestination and who dismisses many non-believers as lost causes and whether someone who believes they need faith plus works for salvation can still be saved by their faith.
- What’s the best way to respond to someone in the double predestination camp who vocally dismisses many non-believers as lost causes?
- Can someone who believes they need faith plus works for salvation still be saved by their faith?
What Should I Say to a Reformed Christian Who Dismisses Many Non-Believers as Lost Causes?
13 juni 2024 |
23 min
Questions about the best way to respond to someone who believes in double predestination and who dismisses many non-believers as lost causes and whether someone who believes they need faith plus works for salvation can still be saved by their faith.
- What’s the best way to respond to someone in the double predestination camp who vocally dismisses many non-believers as lost causes?
- Can someone who believes they need faith plus works for salvation still be saved by their faith?
Is Church Just a Man-Made Way to Control People?
10 juni 2024 |
26 min
Questions about what to say to someone who believes the Bible and church are man-made ways to control people who don’t want to think for themselves and how to respond to the claim that Christianity “might be true for you, but not for me.”
- What do you say to an agnostic who believes the Bible and church are man-made and a way to control people who don’t want to think for themselves?
- How do you answer the claim that Christianity “might be true for you, but not for me”?
Is It Okay to Cover a Coworker’s Shift so They Can Officiate a Same-Sex Wedding?
6 juni 2024 |
21 min
Questions about whether it would be wrong to knowingly cover a coworker’s shift so they can officiate a same-sex wedding and whether it’s okay for a Christian to work for a company whose work is transitioning to support gender identity, transgenderism, etc.
- Would it be wrong to knowingly cover a coworker’s shift so they can officiate a same-sex wedding?
- As a conservative Christian with a biblical worldview, should I feel guilty for working for a company whose work is transitioning to support sexual orientation, transgenderism, and gender identity?
Can Christians Who Have Died Hear Our Requests for Prayer?
3 juni 2024 |
21 min
Questions about whether those in Heaven have a limited omniscience that enables them to hear our requests for them to pray for us, why Scripture comes before tradition for Protestants, and what people used for Scripture before Genesis was written.
- If moral perfection is a communicable property given to those in Heaven, wouldn’t it be reasonable to also speculate that limited omniscience is a communicable property, and so we can ask Christians who have died to pray for us?
- Why does Scripture come before tradition for Protestants?
- What did people before Genesis was written (Noah, Abraham, etc.) use for “Scripture”?
What Apologetics Strategies Can We Use with Agnostics?
30 maj 2024 |
26 min
Questions about apologetics strategies to use with an agnostic who says it’s pointless to worry about whether there is a God because we can’t know if he exists and whether it’s a bad strategy to debate things like miracle claims with someone who rejects them.
- What apologetics strategies can we use with an agnostic who says we can’t know whether there is a God, therefore it’s pointless to worry about it and you should just live your best life?
- If someone thinks the stories of the Bible can’t be true because there isn’t enough evidence to support things like the Nephilim or miracle claims, should you debate them about these things?
What Does a Personal Relationship with God Look Like on a Practical Level?
27 maj 2024 |
21 min
Questions about how to explain what a personal relationship with God looks like on a practical level and whether it’s okay to pray to Jesus and to the Holy Spirit.
- How do I explain to my 20-year-old son what a personal relationship with God looks like on a practical level?
- What are your thoughts on praying to Jesus and to the Holy Spirit?
What’s the Best Evidence for the Reliability of the Old Testament?
23 maj 2024 |
25 min
Questions about the best evidence for the reliability of the Old Testament, whether Greg subscribes to the idea of four independent Gospel accounts or two-source theory, and why the apostle Paul wrote so much of the New Testament.
- What’s the best evidence for the historical reliability of the Old Testament? How do we know that what the Old Testament writers wrote back then is what we have today?
- Does Greg subscribe to the idea of four independent Gospel accounts or something more like the two-source theory?
- Why do you think the apostle Paul was commissioned to write so much of the New Testament explaining Christian theology when he wasn’t present for Jesus’ teachings during his earthly ministry?
Why Would You Say Evolution Has No Purpose?
20 maj 2024 |
21 min
Questions about the claim that evolution has no purpose and whether the fact that people who have aphantasia are unable to form mental images shows that the ability to picture something is based in chemistry rather than a soul.
- Why would you say evolution has no purpose when it’s a fine-tuned process that ensures the propagation of life and is anything but random since it’s controlled by a survival-fitness feedback loop?
- Since people who have aphantasia are unable to form mental images, doesn’t that mean the ability to picture something is based in chemistry rather than a soul?
Are the Crusades Proof That Christians Are Evil?
16 maj 2024 |
23 min
Questions about how to respond to someone who says the Crusades are proof Christians are evil, the facts around the church burning people at the stake for saying the world is not the center of the universe, and whether that history damages the witness of the church.
- How do you answer someone who says the Crusades are proof that Christians are evil?
- What are the facts around the church burning people at the stake for saying the world is round and not the center of the universe? Does this prove the unreliability of biblical authority and damage the historic witness of the church?
Is Matthew 23:23 an Argument for Social Justice?
13 maj 2024 |
30 min
Questions about how to respond to someone who uses Matthew 23:23 as an argument for social justice and what to say to a family member who argues that Christians are not being persecuted but are only losing their privilege.
- How would you respond to someone who uses Matthew 23:23 as an argument for social justice?
- What should I say to a family member who argues that Christians are not being persecuted but are only losing their privilege?
Does the Bible Teach That Elijah Was Reincarnated as John the Baptist?
9 maj 2024 |
23 min
Questions about responding to someone who says the Bible teaches reincarnation when it says John the Baptist “is Elijah who was to come” in Matthew 11:14 and whether Matthew 24:36–44 is referring to the rapture.
- How should I respond to someone who says the Bible teaches reincarnation in the verse about John the Baptist being Elijah (Matt. 11:14)?
- Is Matthew 24:36–44 referring to the rapture, and if not, what’s the best way to convince someone it isn’t about the rapture?
Do You Believe in the Clarity of Scripture?
6 maj 2024 |
22 min
Question about whether Stand to Reason accepts the doctrine of biblical perspicuity (the idea that the Bible is clear in what it teaches about essential doctrines).
- Does Stand to Reason accept the doctrine of biblical perspicuity, and if so, how would it be verified or falsified?
Is an Embryo a Baby?
2 maj 2024 |
27 min
Questions about whether the fact that you can freeze an embryo but not a baby proves an embryo isn’t a baby and whether it would be wrong to use IVF with genetic testing to avoid carrying a baby with an inherited genetic disorder that always results in stillbirth.
- Putting a baby in a freezer would kill it, but freezing an embryo would keep it alive. Does that prove an embryo isn’t a baby?
- Would it be wrong to use IVF with genetic testing to prevent carrying a baby with an inherited genetic disorder that always results in stillbirth?
How Will Jesus Sit at the Right Hand of God if He Is God?
29 april 2024 |
22 min
Questions about what the Bible means when it says Jesus will sit at the right hand of God if Jesus is God and why the writers of the Synoptic Gospels didn’t write about Jesus claiming to be God.
- If Jesus is God, what does the Bible mean when it says Jesus will sit at the right hand of God?
- Why didn’t the writers of the Synoptic Gospels pick up on Jesus speaking of himself as a divine deity, as God himself?
How Should I Respond to Someone Who Is Word-Faith and Believes in a Second Baptism of the Holy Spirit?
25 april 2024 |
27 min
Questions about how to respond to someone who is Word-Faith and believes in a second baptism of the Holy Spirit and what the Bible is saying about how we experience the Spirit when it says we know we’re in Christ because he has given us of his Spirit.
- How should I respond to my sister who is Word-Faith and believes in a second baptism of the Holy Spirit? What’s the best Scripture to use?
- The Bible says we know we’re in Christ because he has given us of his Spirit (1 John 4:13), who is a pledge of our inheritance (Eph. 1:13–14), but what does that mean? How do we experience the Spirit?
How Should a Dad Talk to His Children about Attending Their Mom’s Same-Sex Wedding?
22 april 2024 |
22 min
Questions about how a dad should talk to his children about attending their mom’s same-sex wedding, how a veterinarian should respond if someone who suffers from species confusion asks for medical care, and how to manage anger when arguing for the lives of the unborn.
- How should a dad talk to his children (ages eleven, nine, and seven) about attending their mom’s same-sex wedding?
- How should a veterinarian respond if someone who suffers from species confusion asks him to provide medical care?
- Greg says if you get angry in an argument, you’ve already lost, but I get so angry when I think about the evil of abortion. How do I balance this anger with the desire to argue for the lives of the unborn?
What Should I Do if I Don’t Know How to Respond to Someone’s Answer to My Question?
18 april 2024 |
26 min
Questions about what to do when you don’t know how to respond to someone’s answer to your question and you feel unsafe in the conversation and how to go about witnessing to and discipling a transexual who is open to following Christ but has practical concerns.
- How do I gracefully move from a position in a conversation in which I’ve asked a question but then get stuck after hearing the answer and don’t feel safe?
- How would you go about witnessing to and discipling a transsexual who is open to repenting and following Christ but who has concerns like how to practically live out his new faith and whether it’s too late to inherit the kingdom due to past decisions?
Before You Argue for God from the Existence of Evil, You Have to Prove Evil Exists
15 april 2024 |
30 min
Questions about the need to prove evil exists before arguing for the existence of God from the existence of evil and what to say to an eleven-year-old boy who lost his dad and brother to a lightning strike that he survived.
- Before you argue for God from the existence of evil, you have to prove the entity or force “Evil” exists.
- What do you say to an eleven-year-old boy who lost his dad and brother to a lightning strike that he survived?
Is It Okay to Be Part of a Music Ministry That’s Led by a Professing Mormon?
11 april 2024 |
21 min
Questions about whether it’s okay to be part of a music ministry that’s led by a professing Mormon, whether a woman should date a man who isn’t as spiritual mature as she is or doesn’t take his faith as seriously, and the misuse of Matthew 5:38–42 to manipulate others.
- Is it biblical for me to be part of a music ministry with a group of Christian women that is headed up by a professing Mormon?
- Should a woman date a man who isn’t as spiritually mature as she is or doesn’t take his faith as seriously as she does?
- How would you interpret Matthew 5:38–42 in the context of a friend who could be manipulating and taking advantage of you for resources?
How Can I Stay Balanced in My Belief That God Is Always Good to His Children?
8 april 2024 |
23 min
Questions about believing God is always good to his children while rejecting prosperity teaching, how God can be jealous if he is love and love is not jealous, and whether God changing his mind in Exodus 32 indicates he gained knowledge and is not all-knowing.
- How can I maintain balance in my belief that God is always good to his children and not believe too much in prosperity teaching?
- If God is love, then how could he be jealous if the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:4 that love is not jealous?
- How would you respond to someone who said that God changing his mind in Exodus 32 indicates he was gaining knowledge and means he is not all-knowing?
Has Apologetics Had a Positive Effect on Our Culture?
4 april 2024 |
26 min
Questions about whether apologetics has had a positive effect on people and our culture, whether the longtime privatization of our Christian faith has led to churches becoming apathetic to the culture, and C.S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer book recommendations.
- Do you believe apologetics has had a positive effect on people and our culture?
- Has the longtime privatization of our Christian faith led to local churches becoming apathetic to the surrounding culture, and if so, what is the solution?
- What top two books by C.S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer would you recommend for getting started with each one?
How Can I Articulate the Beauty of the Christian Worldview in a Nutshell?
1 april 2024 |
26 min
Questions about how to articulate the beauty of the Christian worldview in a nutshell and whether “separation of church and state” requires public school teachers to not reference the Bible and government employees to remove anything Bible related from their offices.
- People are upset because a politician said he has a biblical worldview. How can we articulate the beauty of our worldview to others in a nutshell?
- What should I say to people who think public school teachers shouldn’t reference God or Scripture because of “separation of church and state”?
- What should we do when upper management in local government tells employees they need to remove anything Bible related from their offices?
How Do I Know if I’m a Gardener or a Harvester?
28 mars 2024 |
21 min
Questions about how to know if we’re a “gardener” or a “harvester,” how to engage an apathetic person who says “I don’t know” to everything, and whether Christians are making an unfalsifiable claim and fruitlessly discussing something that can’t be proven or disproven.
- How do I know if I’m a “gardener” or a “harvester”?
- How do you engage an apathetic person who says “I don’t know” to everything?
- Are Christians committing a fallacy by making an unfalsifiable claim? What value is there in discussing something that can be neither proven nor disproven?
How Can I Start Conversations with Postmodernists about the Need for Repentance?
25 mars 2024 |
25 min
Questions about how to start conversations with postmodernists about the need for repentance and what question one can use to put a stone in the shoe of a Buddhist friend.
- In a postmodern world, what tools can believers use to start a conversation about the need for repentance?
- What question can I use to put a stone in the shoe of my Buddhist friend?
What Constitutes a Marriage?
21 mars 2024 |
25 min
Questions about what constitutes a marriage, at what point God considers a committed relationship to be a marriage, whether the freedom to pursue marriage is a natural right (and what restrictions would be inappropriate), and how to decline an invitation to an unbiblical wedding.
- What constitutes a marriage?
- At what point does God consider a committed relationship to be “marriage”?
- Is the freedom to pursue marriage a natural human right, and are there any any inappropriate restrictions that should not be placed on marriage?
- Should I explain my reason for declining an invitation to a marriage ceremony that doesn’t reflect the biblical order or just address it when asked?
How Can I Reconcile Romans 6:12–14 with Romans 7:21–25?
18 mars 2024 |
31 min
Questions about how to reconcile Romans 6:12–14 (where Paul talks about victory over sins) with Romans 7:21–25 (where Paul bemoans sins he still commits) and why Paul uses the Mosaic Law as a starting point for moral instruction if believers aren’t under any part of the Law.
- Please help me reconcile Romans 6:12–14 (where Paul seems to be saying we can have victory over our sins) with Romans 7:21–25 (which sounds like Paul is bemoaning sins he still commits).
- How do you reconcile Paul’s use of the Mosaic Law as a starting point for moral instruction with the idea that believers aren’t under any part of the Mosaic Law?
Is There Something I Can Do to Develop Love for Christ if I Am Emotionally Detached?
14 mars 2024 |
24 min
Questions about whether there is something a person can do to develop love for Christ if they are emotionally detached and whether one should stay in a church that is slowly drifting away from historic Christianity.
- How is a person supposed to love Christ if they are emotionally detached? Is there a way to do something about it?
- Should I stay in a church that is slowly drifting away from historic Christianity and seems to question basic beliefs such as the authority of the Old Testament, Heaven, Hell, evangelism, etc.?
Why Do Atheists Get Angry When I Bring up Belief in God?
11 mars 2024 |
20 min
Questions about why atheists get angry when someone brings up belief in God, how to reconcile God’s sovereignty and Satan being the prince of the world, and why the Lord’s Prayer says, “Lead us not into temptation,” when God would never lead us into temptation.
- What is the source of the anger I encounter from atheists when I bring up belief in God?
- How does one reconcile God’s sovereignty and Satan being the prince of this world?
- Why does the Lord’s Prayer say, “Lead us not into temptation,” when leading us into temptation isn’t part of his nature?
Are We Only Interpreting the Bible This Way Because of Our Post-Enlightenment Way of Thinking?
7 mars 2024 |
25 min
Questions about whether we’re only interpreting the Bible according to authorial intent because of our post-Enlightenment way of thinking and whether Zephaniah 3:17 is being taken out of context when someone takes comfort in it.
- How should I respond to someone who says, “The only reason you interpret the Bible by going back to authorial intent is that you live in a post-Enlightenment way of thinking, and others might interpret it differently”?
- Am I taking Zephaniah 3:17 out of context when I take comfort in it?
How Can We Defend the Claim That Marriage Was Created by God?
4 mars 2024 |
32 min
Questions about how to defend the claim that marriage was created by God and what to say to someone who doesn’t want her daughter to grow up Christian because she thinks Christianity is harmful to women.
- How can we defend the claim that marriage was created by God if marriage has been in non-Judeo-Christian civilizations throughout time?
- What should I say to someone who doesn’t want her daughter to grow up Christian because she thinks Christianity is harmful to women?
Does the Existence of Evil Point to the Existence of Multiple Gods?
29 februari 2024 |
21 min
Questions about whether the existence of evil points to the existence of multiple gods and why God needs to slowly improve our character here on earth if he’s going to make every Christian sinless at the resurrection regardless of how long each one was a Christian.
- Would the existence of multiple gods, some good and some evil, explain the existence of evil better than the existence of one God who allows evil?
- If, after death, God will give the thief on the cross the same sinless character as the Christian who lives to be 100, why does he need to slowly change us over time here on earth? Why doesn’t he just make us sinless immediately instead of at the resurrection?
How Can I Make Sure I Will Honestly Consider People’s Arguments?
26 februari 2024 |
28 min
Questions about how to make sure we will honestly consider people’s arguments and why God doesn’t give more evidence to the “non-resistant non-believers” who are seeking truth.
- It’s frustrating when someone doesn’t seem to be honestly considering a persuasive argument. How can I make sure I don’t make that same mistake?
- Why doesn’t God give more evidence to the “non-resistant non-believers” who are seeking truth?
What Advice Would You Give for Debating an Atheist?
22 februari 2024 |
26 min
Question about advice for debating an atheist.
- If I were to debate an atheist one day, what advice would you give?
Can You Argue Straight from the Existence of Evil to the Existence of the Christian God?
19 februari 2024 |
20 min
Questions about whether one can argue from the existence of evil straight to the Christian God or if more arguments are required to get there and whether Abraham sacrificing Isaac would be considered a good action since God commanded it.
- Does the existence of evil argue for the God of the Bible or only for a monotheistic God in general?
- If Abraham sacrificed Isaac, would the action be considered good since God commanded it?
If Only Eve Had Eaten the Fruit, Would Sin Still Have Entered the World?
15 februari 2024 |
21 min
Questions about whether sin still would have entered the world if only Eve had eaten the fruit, the theological explanation for why Jesus did not inherit a sinful nature from Mary, and what the idea that nothing good can come from evil would mean for children born as a result of rape.
- If only Eve had eaten the fruit and Adam refused, would sin still have entered the world?
- What is the theological explanation for why Jesus did not inherit a sinful nature from Mary?
- If nothing good can come from evil, how can we justify children born as a result of rape, incest, out of wedlock, etc.?
How Can I Evaluate Whether I’m Doing Enough for the Lord?
12 februari 2024 |
29 min
Questions about how to evaluate whether you are “doing enough for the Lord,” whether Ezekiel 3:18 indicates you will be in trouble on judgment day if you didn’t tell someone the gospel before they died, and whether it’s okay for a Christian to use Latter-day Saint resources to do family research.
- What advice would you give me as an average believer to evaluate whether I am doing enough for the Lord and serving him enough?
- Since God tells Ezekiel in Ezekiel 3:18 that if he doesn’t warn people, and they die in their sin, their blood will be on his hands, does that mean I’ll be in trouble on judgment day because someone I used to help died in a fight before I could talk to him about Christ?
- Is it okay for a Christian to use Latter-day Saint (Mormon) resources to do family research, or would he be opening himself up to LDS theology by spending time there?
How Do We Discern between Our Own Inner Voice and the Holy Spirit Telling Us What We’re Supposed to Say?
8 februari 2024 |
22 min
Questions about how to discern between our own inner voice and the Holy Spirit telling us what we are supposed to say if, according to Matthew 10:20, “it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you” at the right moment and whether Acts 11:17 indicates we can get in God’s way when he is speaking to us.
- If “it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you” at the right moment, as Matthew 10:20 says, how do we discern the difference between our own inner voice of our previous training and the Holy Spirit telling us what we are supposed to say?
- In terms of God speaking to us, can we get in God’s way (see Acts 11:17)?
How Can We Apply the Bible to Our Lives if We’re Not Supposed to Read Our Circumstances into It?
5 februari 2024 |
23 min
Questions about how to apply the Bible to our lives if we’re supposed to read it in context and not insert our circumstances into it and how to respond to someone who says the Great Commission was given to the apostles and not to the church writ large (similar to how Jeremiah 29:11 was given to the exiles).
- If we’re supposed to read the Bible in context and not insert our lives or circumstances into it, how do we then apply the ancient Word to our current lives?
- How would you respond to someone who said that the Great Commission was given to the apostles and not to the church writ large (similar to how Jeremiah 29:11 was given to the exiles)?
Is Christianity Really a Story of Reality?
1 februari 2024 |
26 min
Questions about whether Christianity is about following Jesus rather than a story of reality, what John the Baptist meant when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” and why John the Baptist seemed confused about whether or not Jesus was the Messiah after he had already confessed he was.
- You said Christianity is a story of reality, and I agree that the Bible is a story of reality (it helps lead our lives), but isn’t Christianity about following Jesus?
- What did John the Baptist mean when he said, “He must increase, but I must decrease,” and how does that apply to us?
- In John 1:34, John the Baptist acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God after baptizing him, so why does he seem confused in Luke 7:19 and Matthew 11:3?
If We Can’t Impose a Moral Standard from One Period of Time on Another, How Does That Affect the Moral Argument?
29 januari 2024 |
27 min
Questions about how one can use the moral argument and also say we can’t impose a moral standard from one period of time on another and responding to someone who says she would never follow a God who killed his own son.
- If you say we can’t impose a moral standard from one period of time on another, then how does the moral argument fit into this way of thinking?
- How would you respond to someone who says she would never follow a God who killed his own son?
Does This Prove We Can’t Ground Objective Morality in God?
25 januari 2024 |
33 min
Question about an objection to grounding objective morality in God that states that if God has a morally perfect nature, and he either engaged in or directly allowed genocide, slavery, and torture, then that means genocide, slavery, and torture are objectively good.
- How would you address this atheist challenge to grounding objective morality in God: If God has an unchanging, morally perfect nature, and he either engaged in or directly allowed genocide, slavery, and torture, then doesn’t that mean genocide, slavery, and torture are objectively good?
How Concerned Should I Be about My Spouse Believing in Annihilationism?
22 januari 2024 |
27 min
Questions about how concerned one should be and what to do about a spouse who now believes in annihilationism and how to navigate differences in doctrine with those who take strong stands on their distinctives.
- My wife has changed her view on Hell to annihilationism, and I feel betrayed and worried for her and how she’ll influence our kids. How should I think about this and deal with it?
- How do you navigate differences in doctrine with those who take strong stands on their distinctives?
Do These Verses Support the Idea That Everyone Will Be Saved?
18 januari 2024 |
24 min
Question about whether Romans 5:18, 1 Corinthians 15:22, and 1 John 2:2 support the idea that everyone will be saved (universalism) as a New York Times opinion piece by David Bentley Hart claims.
- Do Romans 5:18, 1 Corinthians 15:22, and 1 John 2:2 support universalism (i.e., the idea that everyone will be saved and the doctrine of Hell is incorrect) as a New York Times opinion piece by Dr. David Hart claims?
Is Consent to Sex Consent to Pregnancy?
15 januari 2024 |
22 min
Questions about how to respond to the claim that consent to sex is not consent to pregnancy and what to say to a Christian who argues that the law should give women a choice about abortion because God allows us to have free will and doesn’t force us to follow his commands.
- How would you respond to the claim that consent to sex is not consent to pregnancy?
- How should I respond to a Christian who argues that the law should give women a choice about abortion because God allows us to have free will as human beings and doesn’t force us to follow his commands?
Should I Stop Telling People That Attempting to Speak to Ancestors Is Demonic?
11 januari 2024 |
23 min
Questions about how to respond to someone who says we should stop saying that attempting to speak to ancestors is demonic, how to answer a Sikh who doesn’t understand why a Christian wouldn’t marry a non-Christian, and a response to the claim “God is not out there; he is in here.”
- How would you respond to someone who says from an African spirituality perspective we should stop saying that listening to or attempting to speak to ancestors is demonic?
- How would you answer a Sikh who is questioning why a Christian wouldn’t marry a non-Christian if all gods are the same?
- What would be a tactical way of responding to someone who says, “God is not out/up there; he/it is in here” (pointing to himself)?
Should I Provide My Preferred Pronouns When Asked by a Judge During Jury Duty?
8 januari 2024 |
21 min
Questions about whether we should provide our preferred pronouns during jury duty when a judge asks for them and how to respond to a Christian who says it’s kind to use a person’s preferred pronouns and that not using them is unkind, unloving, and judgmental.
- When a judge asks me to provide my preferred pronouns in a courtroom during jury duty, is that the wrong place to resist providing them?
- How should I respond to a Christian who says it’s kind to use a person’s preferred pronouns, that by not doing so I’m being a hypocrite, unkind, unloving, and judgmental, and that not all translations of the Bible say God made male and female?
Is Romans 14 Saying That Christians Can Just Make up Their Own Rules?
4 januari 2024 |
22 min
Questions about whether the Christian liberty described in Romans 14 is the same thing as making up our own rules, weaker and stronger Christians in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, and the claim that once a person accepts Jesus as Savior, he is redeemed and no longer a sinner.
- How can we explain the idea of Christian liberty as found in Romans 14 to someone who claims it’s just the same thing as making up our own rules?
- Regarding the “weaker” and “stronger” Christians Paul talks about in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, should weaker Christians eventually mature in their faith and understanding, and is it the stronger’s job to help correct the weaker’s theology?
- How should I respond to the claim that once a person accepts Jesus as Savior, he has been redeemed and is no longer a sinner?
Was Moses Wrong for Giving a Law That Regulated Something God Hates?
1 januari 2024 |
29 min
Questions about whether Jesus thought Moses was wrong for giving a law to accommodate the hard hearts of the people, whether our civil laws should reflect the ideal or take into account man’s brokenness, and how to counsel someone who has “lost his joy in the Lord” because of sin.
- In Mark 10:2–9, is Jesus reprimanding Moses or claiming Moses was wrong for giving a law regulating divorce to accommodate the hard hearts of the people? Should civil laws reflect God’s good will or take into account man’s brokenness?
- How would you counsel someone who made some poor choices recently and “lost his joy in the Lord”? He is repentant and is fervently seeking to restore his relationship with God, but he has not regained his joy.
Should Feelings Have Any Epistemological Weight in Our Decision Making?
28 december 2023 |
24 min
Questions about whether feelings should have any epistemological weight in our decision making and how to interpret several verses in Acts in light of Greg’s views on being led by the Spirit.
- Should feelings have any epistemological weight in our decision making? For example, should a pastoral candidate who has a “check in his spirit” reject a church job even if there are no objective biblical or wisdom reasons to do so?
- In light of your views on being led by the Spirit in your decision making material, how would you interpret the following verses: Acts 8:29, 10:19–20, 11:12, 13:2, 13:4, 16:6, and 20:22? Are we to follow these by example, and what does that look like?
How Should I Respond to a Formerly Muslim Friend Who Is Unwilling to Pay the Price for Becoming a Christian?
21 december 2023 |
21 min
Questions about how to respond to a formerly Muslim friend who is unwilling to pay the price for becoming a Christian and doesn’t want to respond to challenges or discuss differences and whether Acts 17:23 implies that people who never hear the gospel will be judged differently.
- How should I respond to a formerly Muslim friend who is unwilling to pay the price for becoming a Christian and doesn’t want to respond to challenges because his philosophy in life is to love and help, not discuss differences?
- Does Acts 17:23 imply that people who never hear the gospel will be judged differently?
What Questions Should I Ask Someone Who Claims He Only Believes in Things He Can See?
18 december 2023 |
23 min
Questions about what to ask a strict empiricist who claims he only believes in things he can see, the purpose behind God making people with senses that can’t find him, and thoughts on whether a particular way of introducing the topic of objective truth is adequate.
- What questions should I ask someone who claims he only believes in things he can see?
- What is the purpose behind God making animals and people with senses that can’t find him?
- Does my way of introducing the topic of objective truth encompass the main idea enough?
Should I Call a Man’s Partner His Husband if They’re Legally Married?
14 december 2023 |
29 min
Questions about whether we should call a man’s partner his husband if they’re legally married and whether it’s appropriate to remove kids from a middle school youth group where a male high schooler who has socially transitioned to female is serving.
- What are your thoughts on calling a man’s partner his husband or a woman’s partner her wife if they have had a same-sex wedding?
- A male high schooler who has socially transitioned to female is serving in our church’s middle school ministry. If I pull my kids from their youth group, am I punishing them for someone else’s error?
Why Didn’t Anyone Besides Matthew Mention the Resurrection of Multiple People after the Crucifixion?
11 december 2023 |
21 min
Questions about why no one besides Matthew mentioned the resurrection of multiple people after the crucifixion, whether there were rainbows before Noah, and why Jesus told the restored demon-possessed man to tell people about his healing but commanded the formerly deaf man not to tell anyone.
- Why are there no extra-biblical accounts of the resurrection of multiple people described in Matthew 27:52, and why isn’t it mentioned elsewhere in the Bible?
- Do you think the mechanics for the creation of a rainbow did not naturally exist before God put it in the sky for Noah?
- Why do you think Jesus told the restored demon-possessed man in Mark 5 to go tell his people what the Lord had done but commanded the deaf man he healed in Mark 7 not to tell anyone about the healing?
What Is the Hardest Aspect of Christianity to Defend?
7 december 2023 |
23 min
Question about the hardest aspect of Christianity to defend.
- What is the hardest aspect of Christianity to defend?
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En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.