How Do We Know God Is Real?

Greg talks about whether or not God hears the prayer of the unbeliever, then he answers questions about what Matthew 21:21 means when it says you can make things happen if you have faith and do not doubt and how to know if you should leave a church or you’re being too critical.   Topics: Commentary: Does God hear the prayer of the unbeliever? (00:00) What does Matthew 21:21 mean when it says that if you have faith and do not doubt, you can make things happen and receive things? (33:00) Should I leave this church, or am I being too critical? (46:00)

Greg talks about the notion of entailment, then he talks to callers about how to respond to someone who says Christianity took ideas from older religions, whether or not there are still descendants of Abraham, and how to respond to someone who says God is transgender.   Topics: Commentary: You need to understand the notion of entailment. (00:00) How would you answer people who say Christianity isn’t original, that it took ideas from other religions, and that other religions are older? (18:00) Are there still descendants of Abraham? (37:00) How would you respond to the claim that God is transgender? (50:00)   Mentioned on the Show:  The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl Reality Student Apologetics Conference – October 18–19 in Seattle, WA; November 8–9 in Minneapolis, MN; February 21–22, 2025 in Dallas, TX; March 21–22, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA   Related Links: Jesus, Recycled Redeemer? by Greg Koukl

Greg talks to Bobby Conway, author of Does Christianity Still Make Sense? about his past before he was a Christian, apologetics as a way of loving people, how to respond to various popular objections to Christianity, and more.   Topics: Interview: Bobby Conway, author of Does Christianity Still Make Sense?: A Former Skeptic Responds to Today’s Toughest Objections to Christianity (00:00)   Mentioned on the Show:  Does Christianity Still Make Sense?: A Former Skeptic Responds to Today’s Toughest Objections to Christianity by Bobby Conway Christianity Still makes Sense – Bobby Conway’s website Doubting Toward Faith: The Journey to Confident Christianity by Bobby Conway Bobby Conway’s YouTube channel   Related Links: One Way or Any Way? Part 1 by Greg Koukl One Way or Any Way? Part 2 by Greg Koukl

Greg answers questions about how we know God is real, when seeking God intellectually becomes a hindrance, what the Bible means when it says Jesus is “begotten,” whether the testing of Abraham was capricious and cruel, and the need for God to ground our rights.   Topics: In light of Greek mythology and evolution, how do we know the God of the Bible is real?(02:00) When do you think seeking to know God intellectually becomes more of a hindrance than a help? (13:00) What does the Bible mean when it says Jesus is the “firstborn” or “begotten”? (29:00) Can you explain the testing of Abraham in Genesis 22 so that it doesn’t seem so cruel and capricious to me? (44:00) How would you respond to an atheist who said we can’t have God-given rights because God doesn’t exist? (53:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions Related Links: Apologetics Aren’t Enough to Connect You with a Person by Amy Hall What Does It Mean That Jesus Is God’s Only Begotten Son? by Tim Barnett #STRask: A God Who Told Me to Kill My Son Would Not Be the God for Me

Greg talks about the difference between “belief in” and ”belief that,” then he talks to callers about an objection to probability arguments for design, whether it can be proved from Scripture that worship in Heaven won’t be forced, and help understanding the end times.   Topics: Commentary: “Belief in” vs. “belief that” (00:00) How would you respond to someone who dismisses a probability argument for design by saying that probability doesn’t prove something is true? (21:00) Can you prove from Scripture that worship in Heaven won’t be forced? (35:00) Can you help me clarify what I should think about the end times? (43:00) Related Links: The Rap on the Rapture by Greg Koukl

Greg answers questions about Hebrews 6:4–8 applying to a former believer, whether there’s anything in the universe that wouldn’t count as evidence for God, responding to King James Only, and whether feeling compelled to do something is an example of the Holy Spirit speaking to you.   Topics: Could Hebrews 6:4–8 be applied to someone who used to be a believer but isn’t anymore? (00:00) What object, thing, idea, etc. is there in the universe that would not count as evidence for God? (27:00) How do you respond to a King James Only person? (37:00) How would you respond to someone who says that feeling compelled to help someone is an example of the Holy Spirit speaking to you? (50:00)   Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – October 18–19 in Seattle, WA; November 8–9 in Minneapolis, MN; February 21–22, 2025 in Dallas, TX; March 21–22, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA The King James Version Debate: A Plea for Realism by D.A. Carson The King James Only Controversy: Can You Trust Modern Translations? by James White   Related Links: Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 (online articles) by Greg Koukl

Greg talks about the canon being a list of authoritative books rather than an authoritative list of books, then he talks to callers about feeling guilt about one’s blessings, a cordial exchange regarding abortion, and whether election and predestination are the same thing.   Topics: Commentary: A list of authoritative books, not an authoritative list of books (00:00) Do you have any advice about feeling guilty about my blessings? (26:00) A story about a cordial exchange regarding abortion. (41:00) Are election and predestination the same thing? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers Reality Student Apologetics Conference – October 18–19 in Seattle, WA; November 8–9 in Minneapolis, MN; February 21–22, 2025 in Dallas, TX; March 21–22, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA

Greg answers questions from callers about the Shroud of Turin, the difference between objective truth, proof, and a fact, how to talk to a spouse about speaking in tongues without hurting their feelings, and whether we can know why God is keeping Trump alive.   Topics: What do you think about the Shroud of Turin? (02:00) What is the difference between an objective truth, a proof, and a fact, and is circular reasoning always fallacious? (24:00) How do I talk to my wife about speaking in tongues without hurting her feelings and while remaining scriptural? (43:00) What would you say to someone who says God is keeping Trump alive so his policies can keep America more in line with God’s morality? (52:00)   Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – October 18–19 in Seattle, WA; November 8–9 in Minneapolis, MN; February 21–22, 2025 in Dallas, TX; March 21–22, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA

Greg gives advice to young people on how to live well on their own, then he talks to a caller about the point of glory and honor and why we need to give it to God.   Topics: Commentary: Advice for young people leaving home (00:00) What’s the point of glory and honor, and why do we need to give it to God? (39:00)   Mentioned on the Show:  When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square by Natasha Crain Reality Student Apologetics Conference – October 18–19 in Seattle, WA; November 8–9 in Minneapolis, MN; February 21–22, 2025 in Dallas, TX; March 21–22, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA STR U Online Training Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis   Related Links: Ten Tips to Help Your Prayer Life by Greg Koukl How I Pray...Even When It’s Hard by Greg Koukl Tips for Developing a Habit of Bible Reading by Greg Koukl How (and Why) to Make Habits, Not Just Resolutions by Amy Hall (quoting Joe Carter) Why Would God Want Us to Praise Him? by Amy Hall (quoting C.S. Lewis) How to Think about God Promoting His Own Glory by Amy Hall

Greg talks to a caller about his interaction with a Mormon, then he answers questions about how he keeps his cool in debates, how to prove biblically that Jesus is 100% God and 100% man, and whether Jesus ever asked to be worshiped.   Topics: A caller reports back on his interaction with a Mormon. (02:00) How do you keep your cool in debates? (16:00) How can I prove biblically that Jesus is 100% God and 100% man? (31:00) Did Jesus ever ask to be worshiped? (45:00) Download the mp3...   Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 13–14 in Los Angeles, CA; October 18–19 in Seattle, WA; November 8–9 in Minneapolis, MN; February 21–22, 2025 in Dallas, TX; March 21–22, 2025 in Philadelphia, PA Greg Koukl vs. John Baker: Do Moral Truths Exist? Deity of Christ: Case Closed by Greg Koukl Was Jesus Worshiped? by Greg Koukl   Related Links: Discussing “17 Points of the True Church” with Mormons by Amy Hall Who Is the God of Mormonism? by Amy Hall Verses for Your Conversations with Mormons by Amy Hall