Why Are There So Many Different Denominations?

Greg talks to callers about the rebellion of angels in Genesis 6, how to respond to a naturalism-of-the-gaps argument, how to use Shedd’s Dogmatics, whether an abandoned spouse can remarry, and whether human beings are responsible for the salvation of others.   Topics: What is your view on the rebellion of the angels referred to in Genesis 6, Jude, and 2 Peter? (01:00) What would you say to someone who responded to an argument for intelligent design by saying, “We just need to wait for science to give us the answer”? (11:00) I purchased Shedd’s Dogmatics. Can you tell me how to use it? (29:00) My husband left me. Does that mean I can never get remarried? (38:00) Am I right in challenging the idea that God would give human beings the responsibility for other people’s salvation? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Were the sons of God in Genesis 6 fallen angels? Who were the Nephilim? – Peter Gentry The Privileged Planet (20th Anniversary Edition): How Our Place in the Cosmos Is Designed for Discovery by Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay W. Richards STR U Online Training The Design of Life DVD Collection: Volumes 1–3 Dogmatic Theology by William G.T. Shedd What the Bible Says about Divorce and Remarriage by Wayne Grudem Related Links: God of the Gaps? by Greg Koukl

Greg reminds Christians to be mindful of their character when making their case, then he answers questions about Jesus’ prayer to “forgive them, for they know not what they do” and how we know the Protestant canon is the correct canon.   Topics: Commentary: Be mindful of your character when making your case. (00:00) Should I apply Jesus’ prayer to “forgive them, for they know not what they do” to everyone? (16:00) How can we know the Protestant canon is the correct canon? (30:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 25–26 in Dayton, OH STR U Online Training The New Testament Canon: Which Books and Why? by Greg Koukl  

Greg talks about the House of David series, then he answers questions about why someone should read the Bible rather than the Quran or the Book of Mormon, how God stirs our hearts to do things, and whether or not one category of the Old Testament Law still applies to us.   Topics: Commentary: Thoughts on the House of David series (00:00) Why should I read the Bible rather than the Quran or the Book of Mormon? (20:00) How does God stir our hearts to do things? (36:00) What do you think of the idea that we can divide the Old Testament Law into three categories—judicial levitical, and moral—and the moral regulations still apply? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 25–26 in Dayton, OH House of David – Series on Prime The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 by Greg Koukl Related Links: Where Did These Minimal Facts about the Resurrection Come From? by Amy Hall (quoting Gary Habermas) How Does the Old Testament Law Apply to Christians Today? by Greg Koukl Why We’re Not Under the Mosaic Law by Amy Hall Should Followers of Christ Observe the Torah? by Amy Hall The Law Is Good by Amy Hall

Greg talks to author Rod Dreher about the soft totalitarianism he describes in Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents, the Christians who resisted that totalitarianism, and the new documentary series based on the book.   Topics: Interview: Rod Dreher – Live Not by Lies documentary series (00:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Live Not by Lies – Documentary series Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents by Rod Dreher Freedom Fading by Greg Koukl Brave New World by Aldous Huxley The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William Shirer The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt The Triumph of the Therapeutic: Uses of Faith after Freud by Philip Rieff Related Links: We Need Confidence to Endure by Amy Hall

Greg talks to callers about how we know people didn’t take things out of the Bible, whether people who die young can earn eternal rewards, whether Jesus appeared to Mary after his resurrection, dealing with an abusive parent, and why more pastors don’t believe in an old earth.   Topics: With all the translations of the Bible, how do we know people didn’t take things out of it that they didn’t want us to know about? (03:00) Is it the case that people who die young can’t earn any eternal rewards? (08:00) Is there any indication in the Bible that Jesus appeared to his mother after his resurrection? (15:00) As a Christian, how should I deal with an abusive and controlling father in light of the command to honor our parents? (28:00) Why don’t more pastors believe in an old earth? (49:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 25–26 in Dayton, OH

Greg reflects on the futility of man-based idealism, then he answers questions about why he isn’t Eastern Orthodox and how to show that philosophical materialism isn’t supported by materialism itself.   Topics: Commentary: The futility of man-based idealism (00:00) What are your arguments against Eastern Orthodox Christianity? (26:00) How do I show that philosophical materialism isn’t supported by materialism itself? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 25–26 in Dayton, OH A Complete Unknown – Film

Greg answers questions from callers about the likelihood that we’re living in a simulation, using the laws of nature to argue against evolution, and recommendations for a young man starting out in apologetics.   Topics: What do you think about the fact that, when asked about the origins of the universe, one of the smartest AI computers in the world said it’s more likely that we’re living in a simulation? (01:00) How can I spread my idea of using the laws of nature to argue against evolution? (10:00) What would you recommend for a young man starting out in apologetics? (32:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Bloom Where You’re Planted by Greg Koukl Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl Related Links: For the Student Who Wants to Be a Christian Apologist by Amy Hall

Greg talks about recent examples of moral insanity in California and England, then he answers questions about whether apostasy can happen unknowingly and how Greg comes up with his Street-Smarts-style questions.   Topics: Commentary: Moral insanity in California and England (00:00) Can apostasy happen unknowingly? (27:00) How do you come up your Street-Smarts-style questions? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  California ballot measure named after Luigi Mangione would make it illegal to ‘delay, deny’ healthcare coverage: ‘Crazy’ by Isabel Keane Toddler is kicked out of nursery ‘for being transphobic’ - as families blast school’s ‘insanity’ by Noor Qurashi STR U Online Training Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 25–26 in Dayton, OH #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement by Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Challenges by Greg Koukl

Greg answers questions about why there are so many different denominations, how to help someone who prayed a prayer as a child but doesn’t seem to be following Jesus, people saying, “Oh my God,” and knowledge of Jesus through existential experience.   Topics: Why are there so many different denominations? (05:00) How can I help people who are counting on a prayer they prayed as a child—but have no evidence of sanctification in their lives—understand that they have a need for Jesus? (23:00) Can you explain why you don’t have a problem with people saying, “Oh my God”? (40:00) My fundamental existential experience of Jesus seems undeniable. Is this a category in epistemology? (48:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers Reality Student Apologetics Conference – March 21–22, in Philadelphia, PA; April 25–26 in Dayton, OH The Magic Prayer by Greg Koukl Why the “Sinner’s Prayer” Has Me Concerned...and a Biblical Alternative by Greg Koukl The Invisible Man by Greg Koukl Related Links: Three Reasons Why People Interpret the Bible Differently by Amy Hall

Greg talks about the meaning of the “Word of God” in Acts, then he warns against holding grudges and answers questions about requiring repentance before forgiveness, whether Jesus will have the only scars in Heaven, and making sense of the origin of evil as a Calvinist.   Topics: Commentary: The “Word of God” in Acts (00:00) Is repentance required for believers to grant forgiveness to others? (12:00) Commentary: If you hold grudges, you will destroy your soul. (38:00) Is Jesus the only one with scars in Heaven? (47:00) How do you make sense of the origin of evil? (51:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Dogmatic Theology by William G.T. Shedd Related Links: The Sin of Forgiveness? by Greg Koukl How Can We Condemn Evil if God Is Sovereign? by Amy Hall