Your Salvation Doesn’t Depend on Following the Old Testament Laws

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

Greg responds to objections to last week’s shows on antisemitism, talks to a caller who objects to the term “antisemitism” and says it’s not hateful to notice patterns about people, and responds to a question about whether our justice system should also allow for substitutions like God does.   Topics: Commentary: Objections to last week’s shows on antisemitism (00:00) If you say you can’t recognize patterns from certain groups of people because it’s hateful to do so, then doesn’t that go against reason and logic? (27:00) Should our justice system work the way God’s justice works (i.e., should it allow substitutions)? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Last week’s episodes: A Response to the Rising Antisemitism and How Should Christians View and Treat the Jews? The Middle East Problem by PragerU

Greg interviews Scott Keith, author of Being Family: Passing Down the Faith Through the Generations, discussing the beauty and importance of the Christian vocations of marriage and family and how God works through both.   Topics: Interview: Scott Keith, author of Being Family: Passing Down the Faith Through the Generations (00:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Scott Keith Being Family: Passing Down the Faith Through the Generations by Scott Keith Being Dad: Father As a Picture of God’s Grace by Scott Keith The Thinking Fellows – Podcast 1517 – Website Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Related Links: God Placed You Where You Are for a Reason by Amy Hall Let Your Worldview Shape How You Do Your Work by Amy Hall Why You Don’t Need to Choose Between Glorifying God and Enjoying Life by Greg Koukl and Amy Hall

Greg and Amy continue their discussion about antisemitism, explaining what Romans 9–11 has to say about how we ought to view and treat the Jews and answering questions about the meaning of Revelation’s reference to the “synagogue of Satan” and whether Jews worship a different God.   Topics: Commentary: How should Christians view and treat the Jews? (00:00) Mentioned on the Show:  The Bible: Fast Forward – DVD (Also available as a digital download or audio) Romans 9–11 What is the Synagogue of Satan in Revelation? by Sixbert Sangwa

Greg and Amy talk about the antisemitism spreading among young conservative men and begin a discussion about what the Bible says about God’s relationship with the Jews and how Gentile believers in Christ ought to treat them.   Topics: Commentary: A response to the rising antisemitism (00:00) Mentioned on the Show:  The Bible: Fast Forward – DVD (Also available as a digital download or audio)

Greg talks about a card he received from a group saying we have to follow the Old Testament laws to be saved, then he answers questions about what happens to everyone who doesn’t trust in Jesus, making a case God sustains the universe, and a couple in a celibate same-sex marriage serving in a church.   Topics: Commentary: Your salvation doesn’t depend on following the Old Testament laws. (00:00) If Jesus really is the only way, does that mean everybody else goes to Hell? (31:00) How can I make the case that God sustains our contingent universe without referencing the Bible? (45:00) What do you think about a couple in a same-sex marriage who live together celibately functioning as worship leaders in a church? (51:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Better Together Conference – April 17–18 in Phoenix, AZ Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Related Links: One Way or Any Way? Part 1 and Part 2

Greg talks to Stephen Meyer about The Story of Everything, a film based on Meyer’s book Return of the God Hypothesis, discussing the two competing stories of reality in our culture—one materialist and one theist—and scientific evidence that points to God.   Topics: Interview: Stephen Meyer discusses The Story of Everything, a film based on his book Return of the God Hypothesis. (00:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Stephen Meyer The Story of Everything – In theaters April 30–May 6 Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe by Stephen Meyer Stephen Meyer’s books Mind & Cosmos: Why the Materialist Neo-Darwinian Conception of Nature is Almost Certainly False by Thomas Nagel Undeniable: How Biology Confirms Our Intuition That Life Is Designed by Douglas Axe Unlocking the Mystery of Life The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos Is Designed for Discovery by Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay Richards

Greg tells an April Fools’ Day story from his past, then he answers questions about using people’s preferred names and pronouns, what becoming saved looks like if it doesn’t involve asking Jesus into your life, and not feeling the love for God that other people seem to feel.   Topics: Commentary: An April Fools’ Day story (00:00) What is your view on using people’s preferred names and pronouns? (15:00) What does becoming saved look like if it doesn’t involve asking Jesus into your life? (31:00) Should I be feeling more love for God? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  STR Outposts Red Pen Logic with Mr. B Why I no longer use Transgender Pronouns—and Why You shouldn’t, either. by Rosaria Butterfield Related Links: Why Agree to Use Preferred Names but Not Preferred Pronouns? by Amy Hall A Response to an Employer’s Request for Pronouns by Amy Hall Problems with Preferred Pronouns by Alan Shlemon Why the “Sinner’s Prayer” Has Me Concerned...and a Biblical Alternative by Greg Koukl #STRask: Is There Something I Can Do to Develop Love for Christ if I Am Emotionally Detached? #STRask question about resources for developing the non-cerebral side of living a Christian life

Greg talks about the grounding for morality, then he answers questions about whether the criteria for the canon is contained in Scripture, how it’s possible that Satan rebelled if there was no sin in Heaven, and how Satan was able to be in the garden of Eden in the first place if it was perfect.   Topics: Commentary: Is morality just limited to God’s say-so? (00:00) Are the criteria for the canon contained in Scripture? (20:00) If there was no sin in Heaven, how is it possible that Satan rebelled, and if the garden of Eden was perfect, how was Satan able to be there in the first place? (45:00) Mentioned on the Show: Submit a question on the Open Mic Line The New Testament Canon: Which Books and Why? by Greg Koukl The Canon of Scripture by F.F. Bruce #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy

Greg goes step by step through the passage in Hebrews 10 that many interpret to mean you can lose your salvation, then he answers questions about 1 Corinthians 2:10–16 in light of his view on hearing God’s voice and the mechanism by which the Holy Spirit comforts, convicts, etc.   Topics: Commentary: Does Hebrews 10 teach that you can lose you salvation? (00:00) What do you think about 1 Corinthians 2:10–16 in terms of your view on God speaking, and by what mechanism does the Holy Spirit do the things you mentioned in your “Does God Whisper?” article? (34:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line Reality Student Apologetics Conference – April 24–25 in Los Angeles, CA Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 by Greg Koukl Related Links: When God Speaks by Greg Koukl