Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast

Greg talks about Jesus’ reference to “the least of these” in Matthew 25, then he answers questions about whether all things are good or evil, implications of saying one shouldn’t do anything one thinks is wrong, and how we can make moral judgments about suffering if it’s all working for good.
 
Topics:

Commentary: Who are the “least of these”? (00:00)

Are all things good or evil? (35:00)

If someone truly believes many good things are wrong, how would you counsel them to move forward in life? (42:00)

If we say God has a reason to allow gratuitous (i.e., meaningless) suffering, then aren’t we saying he’s unable or uninterested in bringing about his good ends without the use of suffering, and how do we make moral distinctions about suffering if it’s all doing good? (50:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

The Legend of the Social Justice Jesus by Greg Koukl

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#STRask: Is Doing the Right Thing a Sin If You Truly Believe It’s Wrong? – The #STRask episode about Romans 14 referenced by the caller

Related Links:

#STRask: Is Romans 14 Saying That Christians Can Just Make up Their Own Rules?

What You Need to Know about Evil and Suffering by Amy Hall

Greg answers questions from callers about who sits on the left side of God, why we would matter to God and he would require anything of us, whether it’s wrong to be grateful when other people are suffering, principles for living in a world with AI, and how a Calvinist knows he’s saved.
 
Topics:

Who sits on the left side of God? (04:00)

My atheist friend admits there must have been an Architect of the universe, but he can’t believe that we would matter to him or that he would require anything from us, and he asks why anyone should go to Hell just because they don’t want to submit to his will. (12:00)

Is it wrong to be vocal about the things we’re grateful for when other people are suffering? (32:00)

Can you offer some principles to equip believers to be prepared to live in a world with AI—to avoid pitfalls and be successful in their Christian walk? (38:00)

If people are all born totally depraved and unable to understand spiritual truths, then how does a Calvinist know he’s saved? (51:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

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Dogmatic Theology by William G.T. Shedd, edited by Alan Gomes

Related Links:

Is God Really Blessing American Christians with Answers to Little Prayers While Others Suffer? by Amy Hall

Five Points: Towards a Deeper Experience of God’s Grace by John Piper

Sinners in the Hands of a Good God: Reconciling Divine Judgment and Mercy by David Clotfelter

Greg talks about the marks of a good young man, then he answers questions about why someone would trust dispensationalism when it wasn’t around until the 19th century, and whether Muslims and Jews worship the same God as Christians.
 
Topics:

Commentary: What a good young man looks like (07:00)

Why should Christians trust dispensationalism when it didn’t exist until the 19th century? (23:00)

Do Muslims and Jews worship the same God as Christians? (44:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

CrossExamined Instructor Academy – July 30–August 1

A Response to the Rising Antisemitism – Previous episode

How Should Christians View and Treat the Jews? – Previous episode

Greg chats with Alan Shlemon, Stand to Reason’s new president-elect, discussing how he became a Christian, how he ended up at Stand to Reason, the controversial topics he often speaks on, and more.
 
Topics:

Commentary: Greg announces Stand to Reason’s new president-elect. (00:00)

Mentioned on the Show: 

The Ambassador’s Guide to Islam by Alan Shlemon

Greg answers questions from callers about how one could reconcile the presence of death before the fall with Romans 5 and 8, whether the Bible will still play a role in the new earth, how we know when a psalm is a messianic prophecy, and whether there are strings attached to our free salvation.
 
Topics:

How could one reconcile the presence of death in the world before Adam and Eve with Romans 5 and 8? (06:00)

Will the Bible still play a role in the new earth? (32:00)

How do Bible scholars know that when certain psalms were written, they were prophecies of the Messiah? (37:00)

What would you say to someone who says it seems like there are a lot of strings attached to our "free" salvation (going to church, reading the Bible, etc.), making it sound more conditional than free? (47:00)

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