A Changed Life Towards What Standard?
Although conversion to any religion will result in a changed life, not all change is good. Alan addresses a more fundamental question that needs to be answered first.
Thinking Out Loud with Alan Shlemon
STR speaker Alan Shlemon provides a monthly update while answering questions across a wide range of topics including criticisms of Christianity.
Subscribe:.rss.atom.json.md.m3u.pls
Live Last read · last published · next check
Latest episodes
Saves to your Listen queue, to pick up on another day or another device.
Are Eunuchs Evidence for Transgender Ideology?
Alan responds to three common arguments that enlist eunuchs to support transgender ideology.
How to Assess an Article
Alan provides three simple steps to help you assess an article that is hostile to your Christian convictions.
Islam’s Rising Influence
Muslims are increasing in numbers and influence in the United States. Alan explains the Islamic strategy but also gives Christians a proper perspective on how to view this new reality.
Rejecting the Sex Binary with Bad Evidence
Alan responds to a transgender ideology advocate who argues against the sex binary in human beings.
Answering the Muslim Claim that the Gospel Is Gone
Alan answers the Muslim challenge that the Quran’s reference to the Gospel is not a reference to the four New Testament Gospels.
Roe Is Dead, But Abortion Isn’t
Alan unpacks three steps pro-lifers should take to undermine abortion.
Read Your Bible!
Alan briefly unpacks three reasons why daily Bible reading should be a priority.
Christianity Is the Air We Breathe
Many of the institutions and values our society cherishes exist because Christianity transformed our world. Alan explains one of the most significant changes the Christian worldview made in our culture.
Did Legend Affect the Disciples’ Christology?
Alan answers the challenge that the disciples embellished their depiction of Jesus over time.
Determining the Time to Tell Your Kids about LGBT Ideology
Alan provides five principles to help you, as a parent, determine the right age to begin telling your kids about homosexuality and transgender ideology.
When Criticized, Respond this Way
Alan was harshly criticized by students after an event. He explains three steps he takes whenever this happens.
Should You Permit a Homosexual Couple to Sleep Together in Your Home?
Alan explains how he answers whether he would allow a homosexual couple to stay the night at his house. He also provides a principle that helps him address a variety of similar dilemmas.
Why Denying the Crucifixion of Jesus Is a Big Problem for Muslims
Alan discusses two problems he has with the Quran’s reference to crucifixion and explains why that’s a huge problem for Muslims.
Andy Stanley’s Problematic Approach to Transgenderism
A video was leaked showing leadership at Andy Stanley’s church explaining how they minister to children who identify as transgender or experience gender dysphoria. Alan explains three concerns with their approach.
Arguing Is a Virtue, Not a Vice
Alan explains why people don’t like to argue, and then explains why it’s essential that we learn to argue well.
Yes, Jesus Did Say Something about Homosexuality
Alan responds to the common claim that Jesus never said anything about homosexuality.
Can We Use the Word “Allah” to Refer to God?
Alan explains why the word, “Allah” is not a general term for God.
Which Requires Consent: Puberty or Puberty Blockers?
Alan responds to the claim that children should be required to consent to puberty.
Does Christianity, Like Islam, Order the Death of Apostates?
Some skeptics of Christianity allege that the Bible, like Islam, commands Christians to kill apostates. Alan addresses this claim and explains the three steps he took to resolve this challenge.
How the Film 1946 Fails to Advance Pro-Gay Theology
Alan wrote two critical articles about the film, 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture, prior to ever watching the film. Now that he's seen it, Alan evaluates whether his assessment was correct.
Why Study How to Interpret the Bible?
Alan offers two reasons why every Christian should study how to interpret the Bible.
How to Engage Online
Alan provides three tips for how to properly engage online.
Does Eve Provide Evidence for Transgenderism?
Alan addresses the claim that because Eve was formed from a male rib, she represents the first transgender woman. Consequently, the Bible (and God) permits transgenderism.
Christians, Speak Clearly and Not in Christianese
Alan explains the importance of not speaking in Christianese when you're sharing your Christian convictions.
Pro-Gay Theology Follows a Pattern of Past Interpretive Mistakes
Alan points out how the interpretive mistakes made by pro-gay theology advocates today have been made in the past.
Eight Tips to Become a Professional Apologist
Alan offers eight tips to help someone who is interested in pursuing part-time or full-time apologetics ministry.
The Problem with a Christian Attending a Same-Sex Wedding
Should a Christian attend a same-sex wedding? Alan has attended a same-sex wedding in the past, but believes he made the wrong decision. In this episode, he unpacks his past reasoning, explains why he was mistaken, and offers a practical alternative.
If Pro-Gay Theology Advocates Could Change the Past, Would that Change the Future Like They Want?
Alan explains what would happen if someone was to go back in time to 1946 and stop the RSV Bible translation team from using the word “homosexuals.” He unpacks whether this would change the Bible’s teaching on marriage, homosexuality, and sexual ethics today.
Problems with Creating Your Identity When You Reject God
When a person rejects God, they’re left to determine for themselves their own identity. Alan unpacks some problems with this approach.
Why It’s Reasonable to Refuse to Use Preferred Pronouns
Alan addresses whether it’s reasonable to refuse to use a transgender person’s preferred pronouns.
Should You Violate Your Conscience to Maintain Your Relationship with an LGBT Person?
People who identify as LGBT routinely ask their Christian friends and family to accommodate various requests. Are you justified in declining to go along even if it might damage your relationship with them? Alan unpacks his thoughts on this thorny dilemma.
What Are My Concerns with Andy Stanley’s Unconditional Conference?
Alan attended Andy Stanley’s Unconditional Conference, an event intended to equip parents and ministry leaders how to reach out to LGBTQ youth. In this episode, Alan provides his assessment of the conference, including three major concerns.
Is it Difficult to Define a Woman?
Why has it become so hard to define a woman? Alan looks at a few definitions that are offered, explains what’s wrong with them, and then offers his own definition.
Do Christians Have an Ulterior Motive for Being Kind?
Alan addresses the objection that some people claim Christians are only kind to people so they can convert them.
Should Abortion Remain Legal So Women Don’t Pursue Back-Alley Abortions?
Alan offers three steps to respond to the rhetorically powerful, yet flawed argument that women might get injured or killed through dangerous, back-alley abortions if abortion is made illegal.
The Puzzling Inconsistency of Abortion and Homicide Laws
Alan describes the inconsistency in current laws surrounding abortion and homicide and offers a simple solution.
Deconstructing Is Not Reforming Your Faith
Some Christians and many former Christians are promoting a trendy approach to doubting and questioning your faith called deconstruction. Is it the same as reforming your faith? Alan explains the one key element that distinguishes between the two.
Dishonest Images of the Unborn
A recent article in The Guardian displayed some misleading images of what is removed in an abortion from a 9-week pregnancy. Alan explains the problems with the article and the images.
Man or Maker: Who Has the Answers to Humanity’s Most Critical Questions?
When it comes to answering critical questions about how we humans should live, identify, and behave sexually, who should we listen to? Man or our Maker?
Gay Idioms Don’t Time Travel
Alan addresses a progressive Christian who claims that Jesus wants LGBT people to “come out,” by explaining how he misuses a common literary device.
Christ’s Crucifixion Isn’t Child Sacrifice
Some object to the idea that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins through his death on the cross, calling it "child sacrifice." Alan, however, offers three reasons why characterizing it that way is inappropriate.
Why Pro-Choicers Insist Pro-Life Arguments Are Religious
Alan explains two reasons why abortion-choice advocates insist that pro-life arguments are religious.
Humans Come in Only Two Sexes
Many biologists, doctors, and scientists tell us today that sex is on a spectrum or that there are more than two sexes. Alan addresses this claim by looking at the evidence from both Scripture and general principles of science.
If God Became a Man, Can a Man Become a Woman?
A popular tweet claims that if someone can believe God became a man, then they can also believe that a man can become a woman. Alan unpacks this tweet, defines some key terms, and shows why the claim is misleading.
God’s Preferred Pronouns
Alan responds to the claim by some gender theorists that God’s pronouns should be they/them.
A Verse That Illustrates Three Interpretive Principles
Alan looks at passage of Scripture that skeptics like to use to challenge Jesus’ integrity. Then, he clarifies the meaning and application of the passage by using three key interpretive principles.
Are Transgender People Fixing God’s Mistakes?
Alan responds to a tweet that suggests that transgender people are fixing God’s mistakes.
Must You Remain Silent on Abortion Unless You Adopt a Baby?
If you’ve never adopted a child, does this disqualify you from speaking out against abortion? Alan offers five reasons why this challenge is mistaken.
Abortion Is Unjust Discrimination
Do abortion-choice advocates hold a morally superior view or is their position discriminatory? Alan unpacks this question in this month’s episode.