Can Evolution Explain Our Sense of Meaning?

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

Greg reflects on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and a question he received about why God would let something like this happen, then he talks to a caller about what it means to be a biblically faithful Christian in politics right now.   Topics: Commentary: The assassination of Charlie Kirk (00:00) What does it mean to be a biblically faithful Christian in politics right now? (28:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi Reality Student Apologetics Conference – October 17–18 in Seattle, WA; 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 Truth Rising – Watch for free online Related Links: Wilberforce by John Pollock William Wilberforce: His Unpublished Spiritual Journals by Michael McMullen Grace Victorious: The Story of William Wilberforce – Focus on the Family Radio Theater Getting “Political”—Vice or Christian Virtue? by Greg Koukl

Greg talks to John Stonestreet about the Truth Rising documentary, the civilizational moment we’re in, what we’re called to do in light of this, and stories of some who are currently standing for Christ and the truth, then he answers a question about how to communicate the gospel.   Topics: Interview: John Stonestreet on the Truth Rising documentary, the state of the West, and how we can be a voice for truth and courage (00:00) Do you have a systematic approach to helping people understand the gospel of Christ? (39:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Reality Student Apologetics Conference – October 17–18 in Seattle, WA; 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 John Stonestreet – President of the Colson Center Truth Rising – Watch for free online A Practical View of Christianity by William Wilberforce The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again by Justin Brierley Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents by Rod Dreher Hell’s Best Kept Secret by Ray Comfort

Greg answers questions about whether it’s okay to quote a single verse, why Jesus didn’t heal everyone, recommended study Bibles and commentaries, persevering with someone who isn’t responding well, and whether couples should agree on secondary and tertiary issues.   Topics: Commentary: It’s okay to quote a single verse...if you understand the context. (00:00) How many lepers and blind people did Jesus not heal, and why? (16:00) Which study Bible and commentary would you most recommend? (25:00) Should I keep trying to talk to someone who isn’t responding well? (38:00) Should a couple agree on every secondary and tertiary theological issue? (50:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Never Read a Bible Verse by Greg Koukl #STRask podcast with Greg and Amy Christian Theology by Millard J. Erickson Dogmatic Theology by William G.T. Shedd, edited by Alan Gomes Institutes of Elenctic Theology by Francis Turretin Systematic Theology, Second Edition: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine by Wayne Grudem Why the Blood? by Greg Koukl

Greg adds another thought to the objection he addressed in the last episode, then he answers questions about possible proof Proverbs 21:30 is objectively true, drawing lots to get a message from God, grace for sanctification, and blaming God for bad things that happen.   Topics: Commentary: Man’s free will doesn’t determine the course of the universe. (00:00) Does the fact that reason, logic, and deduction seem to be irreducibly complex prove that Proverbs 21:30 is objectively true and not just religious jargon? (06:00) How should we take the Acts 1:23–26 passage, where they drew lots to get a message from God about who should replace Judas, and when is it our place to challenge leaders who are teaching something that isn’t biblical? (14:00) Does the Bible teach that grace is required for sanctification? (29:00) Why does God get the credit for all good things but doesn’t get the blame for bad things (like natural disasters or disease)? (47:00) Mentioned on the Show:  Upcoming events with Stand to Reason speakers Reality Student Apologetics Conference – September 12–13 in Atlanta, GA; October 17–18 in Seattle, WA; 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 Greg’s response to the challenge that it’s arbitrary for God to limit our opportunity to repent and believe to this lifetime Greg’s illustration in last week’s episode about a man stealing the planks from his neighbor’s porch one by one The Enemy Within: Straight Talk about the Power and Defeat of Sin by Kris Lundgaard Related Links: How Can We Condemn Evil if God Is Sovereign? by Amy Hall