How Do We Know Objective Values Aren’t a Delusion?

Greg chats with callers about how we know objective values exist and aren’t a delusion, how to redirect someone who’s on the wrong theological road, and how to navigate bringing apologetics to a church in a denomination that doesn’t allow outside speakers.   Topics: How do we know that objective moral values actually exist and we’re not deluded by culture or evolution? (05:00) How can I stop someone from going down a wrong theological road and redirect them towards the right path? (32:00) As I bring apologetics to my church, how can I navigate the exclusivity of my denomination, which doesn’t allow outside speakers? (45:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – November 7–8 in Minneapolis, MN; February 20–21, 2026 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity’s Toughest Challenges by Greg Koukl Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air by Francis Beckwith and Greg Koukl Happy Lies: How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard Of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World by Melissa Dougherty

Greg answers questions about Darwinists who deny there’s something wrong with the world, attending a baptism at an LGBTQ-affirming church, why Christians have pets instead of giving the money to orphans, the name “Lord of Hosts,” and singing worship songs about our feelings.   Topics: You say everyone acknowledges there’s something wrong with the world, but how would you respond to a Darwinist who says that’s simply survival of the fittest, the dog-eat-dog nature of this place? (02:00) What are your thoughts on attending a baptism at a church that affirms LGBTQ lifestyles? (13:00) If humans are more valuable than animals, why do Christians have pets instead of giving the money to orphans? (24:00) Why does God refer to himself repeatedly as “the Lord of Heaven’s armies” (also translated as “Lord of Hosts” or “Lord of Sabaoth”)? (34:00) You said you don’t like to sing about your feelings, but don’t many of the psalms do this? What makes it difficult for us to sing songs with personal pronouns? (43:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line

Guest Host: Megan Almon   Megan Almon talks about the reality and nature of beauty, answers questions about introducing heavy cultural topics to young people who aren’t already asking about them and whether or not God would have destroyed the Israelites if Moses hadn’t intervened, and more.   Topics: Commentary: Beauty is real. (00:00) Is it dangerous to bring up the heavier questions of culture to young people in our church if they’re not asking the questions already? (34:00) If Moses hadn’t stepped in, would God have followed through and destroyed the Israelites? (41:00) Commentary: We can all create beauty with acts of everyday faithfulness. (46:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – November 7–8 in Minneapolis, MN; February 20–21, 2026 in Dallas, TX; March 13–14, 2026 in Philadelphia, PA; April 24–25, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis Cultural Apologetics: Renewing the Christian Voice, Conscience, and Imagination in a Disenchanted World by Paul Gould Echoes of Eden: Reflections on Christianity, Literature, and the Arts by Jerram Barrs Christianity for Modern Pagans: Pascal’s Pensees Edited, Outlined and Explained by Peter Kreeft

Greg and Tim finish their conversation about The Diary of a CEO, discussing anchoring one’s life in Christianity, the existence of evidence for Christianity, why the world is broken, pre-human animal suffering, evolving morality, advice for someone searching for meaning, and more.   Topics: Christianity can anchor your life because it’s true. (00:00) There is evidence that Christianity is true. (09:00) Spiritual thinker Dr. K’s response to why children get cancer. (13:00) Atheist Alex O’Connor challenges Greg’s explanation for why the world is broken. (20:00) What about pre-human animal suffering? (32:00) Does morality evolve over time? (41:00) Do people in every religion all over the world arrive at similar conclusions? (47:00) What Greg would say to someone searching for meaning. (53:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Greg on The Diary of a CEO Get a free copy of a chapter from The Story of Reality Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air by Francis Beckwith and Greg Koukl Related Links: Why God? Part 1 and Part 2 The Mathematical Argument for the Existence of God – Short video from Reasonable Faith, includes links to videos about the kalam cosmological argument, the moral argument, the fine-tuning argument, the contingency argument, and an argument for the resurrection of Jesus.

Greg and Tim continue evaluating clips from The Diary of a CEO, discussing the need for meaning to inform purpose, whether evolution can explain our sense of meaning, whether subjective experience can be evidential, atheist Alex O’Connor’s advice for finding meaning, and more.   Topics: Meaning comes first, then purpose flows from meaning. (00:00) It’s not just a matter of finding “something” to give you purpose. (07:00) Is purpose found in working on a task you believe will fulfill you when you finish? (15:00) Can our sense of meaning be explained by evolution? (22:00) Is technology destroying our sense of meaning by exposing us to competing understandings of the world that show us our beliefs are merely subjective? (31:00) Can the subjective sense of meaning a person feels be evidence for the truth of his view? (37:00) Atheist Alex O’Connor’s advice for someone who wants to stir up feelings of meaning in his life. (46:00) What’s the purpose of religion? (52:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Greg on The Diary of a CEO Get a free copy of a chapter from The Story of Reality Christianity for Modern Pagans: Pascal’s Pensees Edited, Outlined and Explained by Peter Kreeft Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air by Francis Beckwith and Greg Koukl Related Links: Values Fight Poverty by Amy Hall The True Story of Christian Missionaries by Amy Hall How Christianity Changed the World – Impact 360 video Wilberforce and Social Change by Melinda Penner

Greg and Tim review clips from a conversation between Greg, atheist Alex O’Connor, and Hindu Alok Kanojia, discussing why human beings flourish in a particular way, the foundation of meaning and purpose, the meaning crisis, Alex’s paperclip analogy, and more.   Topics: Greg was on The Diary of a CEO with host Steven Bartlett, atheist Alex O’Connor, and Hindu Alok Kanojia. (00:00) The biblical take on reality is the best explanation for the way things are. (06:00) Is “death denial” behind our attempts to make meaning in our lives? (17:00) Why is there a meaning crisis? (26:00) Does the paperclip analogy disprove Greg’s claim that we find purpose in doing what we were created to do? (32:00) Would you do anything meaningful if you thought everything would cease to exist tomorrow? (44:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Greg on The Diary of a CEO The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl Get a free copy of a chapter from The Story of Reality #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy

Greg answers questions about how to tell the difference between your own thoughts and God speaking to you, near death experiences, cremation vs. the regular burial process, leaving a church without feeling a calling from God, and dealing with burnout in ministry.   Topics: How can I tell the difference between my thoughts and God speaking to me? (02:00) What do you think about the near death experiences where Jesus gives people a second chance at life? (19:00) What are your thoughts on cremation vs. the regular burial process? (37:00) What advice do you have for someone who is going through burnout, and would you say it’s okay to look for a job at a different church even if we’re not feeling a calling from God to do so? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Submit a question on the Open Mic Line Does God Whisper? Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 by Greg Koukl Beyond Death: Exploring the Evidence for Immortality by Gary Habermas and J.P. Moreland

Greg talks about atheist Alex O’Connor’s use of suffering as an argument against God, then he answers a caller’s question about how God could create people with autism—something that adds such difficulties to a person’s life and makes it harder for people to connect with God.   Topics: Commentary: Why an emotivist can’t use suffering to argue against the existence of God (00:00) How could God create people with autism? (31:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Greg on The Diary of a CEO Get a free copy of a chapter from The Story of Reality How God Destroyed My Atheism – David Wood’s testimony

Greg talks about his experience on The Diary of a CEO podcast talking about meaning and purpose with Alex O’Connor and Alok Kanojia, then he answers questions about whether the term “innocent” can be applied to a fetal human being and whether Cain went to Heaven.   Topics: Commentary: Greg’s experience on The Diary of a CEO podcast (00:00) How would you respond to a pro-choice meme that says the term “innocent” applies only to a being that can do wrong but chooses not to, and since fetuses can’t do anything, the concept of innocence can’t be applied to them? (44:00) Did Cain go to Heaven? (52:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Greg on The Diary of a CEO Get a free copy of a chapter from The Story of Reality

Greg gives advice to students starting college and responds to a question about being aware of what’s being taught that might go against Christianity, then he gives advice to callers on making a case for the Christian God at a local university and apologetics topics to cover in a youth group.   Topics: Commentary: Advice for students starting college (00:00) Do you have any advice on how to approach my opportunity to speak on the topic “Why My God Is Right” at a local university? (21:00) Do you have advice on apologetics topics to talk about in a youth group? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show:  The Trouble with the Elephant by Greg Koukl Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World by Josh and Sean McDowell The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between by Greg Koukl Related Links: Five Apologetics Questions You Need to Think Through by Amy Hall