Who Are the “Least of These”?

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 Submit a question on the Open Mic Line #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:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line 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) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line

Greg talks about distinguishing between descriptive and prescriptive passages, then he answers questions about a secular case against legalizing prostitution, how a good God could send a lying spirit, fulfilling a rash vow to God, and attending a wedding between a Christian and a non-Christian.   Topics: Commentary: Distinguishing descriptive passages from prescriptive ones (00:00) How would you make a secular case that we shouldn’t legalize prostitution? (06:00) How would you explain God being holy and good to a non-believer reading 1 Kings 22:21–23, where God sends a lying spirit? (29:00) When I thought God called me to be single, I made a vow to do it, but now that I’ve changed my mind about callings, am I still obligated to fulfill that vow? (38:00) Would it be wrong to attend the wedding of a Christian family member who is marrying a non-Christian, and if it’s wrong, what should I do if my wife wants to go? (44:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line

Greg answers questions about why we weren’t made sinless in the first place, the morality of using donor sperm to conceive, whether we would conclude the Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and Jesus without the Nicene Creed, how God knows the future, and baptism for the dead.   Topics: If our evil will be removed in Heaven, why weren’t we made that way in the first place? (02:00) Would it be morally wrong for a Christian married couple to use donor sperm to conceive a child if the husband is infertile? (23:00) Would we come to the conclusion that the Holy Spirit is equal to the Father and Jesus Christ without the Nicene Creed, and if early Christians didn’t believe in the Trinity, were they not saved? (31:00) Does God only know the future simply because he plans the future? (41:00) What are your thoughts on the reference to baptism for the dead in 1 Corinthians 15:29? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line

Greg answers questions about why Jesus lists heart, soul, and mind separately in Mark 12:29–30, whether the Bible is written for laypeople rather than scholars, responding to someone who thinks life is a simulation, and whether it’s wrong to forgive someone who hasn’t repented.   Topics: What’s the difference between heart, soul, and mind, and why does Jesus list them separately in Mark 12:29–31? (02:00) Was the Bible written for laypeople, or does it need to be interpreted by people with scholarly or divine knowledge? (15:00) How would you respond to someone who thinks that this life is just a simulation? (33:00) Was it wrong for Erika Kirk to forgive Charlie’s murderer without his repentance (see Luke 17:3–4)? (44:00) How are we supposed to think about forgiving those who don’t repent if Christ doesn’t forgive the unrepentant, and how can our own souls move on from being wronged if we don’t forgive? (46:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line

Greg answers questions about relationships between former offenders and the offended on the new earth, applying Ezekiel 33:1–9 to Christians, handling a Sunday school situation, reading enough to get the author’s intent, and deceased loved ones communicating with us.   Topics: Given that Christians are required to forgive but not to reconcile with each other, what will relationships between former offenders and the offended be like on the new earth? (02:00) Should the passage in Ezekiel 33:1–9, where Ezekiel is appointed a watchman, be applied to believers today such that we’ll be held responsible for not warning non-believers of the coming judgment? (11:00) Do you have any advice for how to handle a situation where a child in my wife’s Sunday School class was very upset about his parents fighting? (25:00) How much of Genesis 1 do you have to read to get the author’s intent? (34:00) Do deceased loved ones communicate with us from the dead, and if not, how can a loving son confront his parents about their belief in this after the death of their daughter? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show:  #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy

Greg answers questions about whether God has always been Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, his thoughts on women in ministry, how a layperson who isn’t into apologetics can defend the idea that Jesus is the only way, and how to approach loved ones who are following a false prophet.   Topics: Has God always consisted of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, was Jesus always intended to come in the same form of those created in his image, and does it necessarily follow that if God were to create anything, it would have to include beings made in his image? (02:00) What are your thoughts on women in ministry? (16:00) Do you have any ideas on how a layperson who is not into apologetics can defend the idea that Jesus is the only way? (38:00) How should I approach loved ones who are in a house church that follows a “prophet” who teaches things that are contrary to classical Christianity and even the gospel? (46:00) Related Links: Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves Should Women Teach in Church? by Greg Koukl Jesus, the Only Way: 100 Verses by Greg Koukl One Way or Any Way? Part 1 and Part 2