Thinking Out Loud with Alan Shlemon

Alan responds to a trendy new argument that claims that a non-binary interpretation can be imposed on the Genesis account of creation.

You've heard of the Big Bang, but are you aware of the other two big bangs, each of which represents the beginning of a fundamentally new thing that didn't exist before? Alan explains what they are and their theistic implications.

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...