Thinking Out Loud with Alan Shlemon

If someone asked you how you know Christianity is true, how would you answer them? In this episode, Alan offers his response to that question by appealing to some powerful truths that people live by.

An upcoming film claims that Christian opposition to homosexuality is based on a 1946 mistranslation of a Greek word in the RSV Bible. Alan explains why their argument doesn’t change the Christian understanding of sexuality.

Alan received some harsh feedback from a recent event. He explains three steps he takes when he gets these kinds of critical comments.

When you realize your theology is in error, do you overcorrect by swinging wildly to the opposite position? Alan offers a biblical approach to correcting your view, one that looks more like using a plumb line than a pendulum.

Have you ever been called a "phobic" term like homophobic, Islamophobic, transphobic, or xenophobic? Alan discusses three reasons why you don’t have to fear the “phobic” label.

Does God require a certain amount of faith before he accepts it? Alan addresses this question by clarifying the nature of faith.

A worldview that denies God and embraces naturalism has serious repercussions, the most egregious being a logical slide to nihilism. Alan unpacks three reasons why nihilism flows logically from naturalism.

Alan sounds the alarm on a pop Christian culture habit called Coffee Cup Christianity. He unpacks three of its harms and explains how they are fueling biblical illiteracy.

Alan talks about how Christians were caught off guard by the current cultural revolution sweeping society today. He offers a two-step strategy to prepare for the next revolution and to protect believers from succumbing to its ideas.

Skeptics and atheists find the problem of evil so repugnant and our solutions so hollow because they refuse to accept a fundamental reality that every Christian believes. Alan explains what that reality is in this episode, thereby demonstrating why the problem of evil is still a problem for many non-Christians.

Alan explains why you’re likely feeling fatigued and frustrated with 2020. He quotes what he believes is the comment of the year because it provides valuable insight into how God made us and what we’re created to handle. This episode is from the STR broadcast when Alan was a guest host.

Believe it or not, there’s a valuable lesson that Christians can learn from the violent video game Mortal Kombat. Alan explains the lesson and how it should affect your conversations with people who don’t share your convictions.

What should you say to your non-Christian friend who rejects Christianity? In this episode, Alan explains an important principle to help him navigate this situation.

The culture has been pressuring Christians to pick a side: celebrate homosexuality and same-sex unions or continue to consider them sinful. Alan discusses whether Christians should divide over this question or can we agree to disagree? Download the mp3...

While speaking on embryonic stem cell research at a church recently, Alan was challenged by an attendee. She made an argument that, based on Leviticus 17:11, killing a developing human being before implantation could be morally permissible. Alan responds to this question in today’s episode. Download the mp3...

The Columbo Tactic – asking question – is powerful. But what if you could amplify the impact you make with it? In this episode, Alan explains how to upgrade your approach to create even more powerful questions. Download the mp3...

Alan explains how to use a common yet powerful question to help point people to God. Download the mp3...

Alan talks about the six verses in Scripture that address homosexuality and how pro-gay theology advocates love to call them “clobber passages.” Download the mp3...

Alan explains how the atheist’s materialistic worldview makes several miracle claims to explain reality. Download the mp3...

While it’s true that Christians should prioritize their understanding of Scripture and Christian theology, Alan offers four reasons why Christians should add the study of false ideas to their to-do list. Download the mp3...

Alan explains how the birth and survival of the smallest baby challenges four tenets of abortion-choice advocacy. Download the mp3...

Alan points out that Jesus didn’t always answer questions directly. Sometimes He took a different approach. Perhaps we can take a cue from Jesus since He’s the smartest person in history. Alan explains three ways we can answer tough questions in the way Jesus answered tough questions in His day. Download the mp3...

Guest Host: Alan Shlemon Alan interviews Christopher Yuan about his new book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story. Download the mp3...

Sometimes people claim that the only reason someone is a Christian is because they were born in the United States. In this episode, Alan gives three reasons why such a claim is wrong headed. Download the mp3...

Alan recently taught Palestinian Christians in the West Bank of Israel about the subject of homosexuality. In this podcast, he shares three principles he told them that help them navigate their relationships with Christians who struggle with same-sex attraction. Download the mp3...

Alan recently returned from Australia after spending some time training local believers on how to graciously engage Muslims. In this episode, Alan discusses one key tactic he taught Australian Christians before taking them to the mosque. Download the mp3...

Since February 12 was Darwin Day, Alan discusses Darwin’s contribution to the worldview of naturalism and explains why atheists had no choice but to accept evolution. Download the mp3...

Besides abortion, there are several new biotechnologies that threaten innocent human life. Alan describes four of them. Download the mp3...

Alan explains gender identity and what the Bible says about it. Download the mp3...

Alan explains the implications of being made in the image of God and why society is shooting itself in the foot for rejecting this principle. Download the mp3...

Alan addresses the concern some Christians have with God being so restrictive about sex. Download the mp3...

Alan offers a piece of evidence that suggests that the DNA in your body is intelligently designed. Download the mp3...

What do you do when you are tempted to make scripture submit to your own thinking? Do you try to find someone who has provided a possible interpretation that neutralizes the teaching you don’t like? Alan discusses this temptation and offers three tips to help you overcome this challenge. Download the mp3...

Would you like to improve your ability to engage others in spiritual conversations? Do what Jesus did 284 times in the Gospels. Find out what that is in this episode. Download the mp3...

Some abortion-choice advocates claim that abortion is no different than taking someone off life support. Alan explains why that is not the case. Download the mp3...

Alan answers the question why Jesus is necessary by explaining how the Gospel works in non-Christian lingo. Download the mp3...

Alan discusses how Christians should respond to the recent legal challenges in Australia and the United States. Download the mp3...

Alan talks about how every apologetic subject comes back to God and that often times it’s more prudent to discuss God’s existence rather than a secondary issue. Download the mp3...

Alan answers the question of whether our soul continues to develop in heaven and, if so, in what way or capacity. Download the mp3...

Alan responds to the challenge that his work is misguided because he cares more about apologetics than the Gospel. Download the mp3...

Alan explains one of the challenges that ambassadors for Christ will face in 2018. Download the mp3...

Alan describes the significant shift that is occurring in our society that affects how human beings are valued. Download the mp3...

Alan shows how you can use two simple questions to show that the Christian story of creation is true and reasonable. Download the mp3...

There are many reasons why pro-gay theology is mistaken. Alan addresses a particular defense that fails to understand what Scripture is saying. Download the mp3...

Is knowledge discovered by science un-Christian or anti-God? Alan addresses the question of how we come to gain knowledge and what sources are credible. Download the mp3...

Alan recently spent the week teaching in the world's first country that declared itself atheist by its constitution. Download the mp3...

Alan explains three ways that Muslims miss the true Jesus and why it should matter to them. Download the mp3...

Alan evaluates a church’s decision to dismiss a man from membership because he engaged in a homosexual relationship. Download the mp3...

Alan responds to an article claiming that women’s equality can’t exist until the government doesn’t regulate a woman’s body, in the same way it doesn’t regulate a man’s body. Download the mp3...

Alan explains why although atheists may not have to prove the absence of God, their view still entails three incredible assertions that require a lot of explaining. Download the mp3...