The determinetruth Podcast

In this episode, we take a look at the abortion debate by contending that pro-life and pro-choice advocates are going about things the wrong way? Today's guest is Andy Smith. Andy is is a practicing attorney disability rights attorney and the coordinator for Evangelicals 4 Justice. She has been involved in reproductive justice organizing for over 30 years. We have asked Andy to come on to discuss...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie look at John's emphasis on the Holy Spirit and how John is a missional gospel. We also examine Jesus' words regarding "His hour." Why does He tell Mary that He isn't supposed to turn the water into wine because "His hour had not yet come"? And why when the Greeks come to see Jesus (John 12:20-26), does Jesus suddenly realize that His hour had come?    Please "follow...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie continue their overview of the Gospel of John by looking at the Prologue (John 1:1-18). What is John trying to say and how does this affect our understanding of the Gospel of John, Jesus, the Father, and Jesus' mission--as well as our mission?    Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go...

Rob and Vinnie continue an introduction to the Gospel of John and explore John's uniqueness as compared to Matt, Mark, and Luke, and John's use of the New Creation motif--Jesus' resurrection was on the "first day of the week" (John 20:1, 19).    Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go a long way towards helping other...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie begin a look at the Gospel of John. They explore some of the keys to understanding John's Gospel and what makes it unique from the Synoptics (Matt-Luke).     Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go a long way towards helping others find this podcast. Then share it with others so that w...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie interview a prominent NT and ancient Roman scholar Warren Carter and discuss the Bible and Empire and how to read Jesus and His proclamation of God's empire in the midst of the Roman empire (spoiler alert: they crucified Him: but He rose so it worked out for Him!)  Warren is the author of numerous books on empire and the NT: including, The Roman Empire and the NT an...

Rob and Vinnie continue to wrestle with the Gospel of Luke and Jesus' call to love the poor and the marginalized even if it doesn't benefit us in the now. In this episode, they interview Lisa Sharon Harper of Freedom Road and wrestle with the questions of Jesus, race, gender, and justice. https://lisasharonharper.com/ (see Bio below)  Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spoti...

Rob and Vinnie look at the central chapters in the Gospel of Luke (9-22) and show how the Gospel of Luke must be understood in light of Jesus' teaching on bringing good news to the poor and justice for the oppressed. We promise that you will gain new insights and come to understand Jesus and the Gospel in fresh new, and exciting, way.    Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Sp...

Rob and Vinnie walk through the Gospels and discuss the events of Jesus' last night from the time they head to the garden to the crucifixion of Jesus. (See notes below) NB: our goal is to keep these episodes free of charge. I do not intend to ever hide them behind a paywall. I can only do this if those of you who have been blessed by them and can afford to give ($5, $10, $25, or more/month) do so....

Rob and Vinnie examine the four Gospels and discuss the events of Jesus' last night. This is episode 1 of their discussion of the Passion of Christ.  Notes:  Thursday Night: Events in the Upper Room 6:00 pm Jesus washes the Disciples' feet: John 13:1-20 Jesus identifies betrayer: John 13:21-30; Mark 14:18-21; Matt 26:20-25; Luke 22:22-23 Jesus inaugurates Communion: Matt 26:26-29; Mark 15:22-25; L...

In this episode, Rob leads a study of Gen 3 and the judgment on the Serpent, the woman, and the man. Rob notes that as a consequence of their sin Adam and Eve will not rule as one but will each try to usurp authority over the other. Genesis, of course, is not prescribing that the man should be in authority over the woman but is describing the way it is going to be. The study finishes by looking at...

In this episode, Rob leads a study of the book of Genesis. This week we look at Adam and Eve eating from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Bad. The problem was that they did so of their own accord and not by listening to the Lord. That is, they did not "fear the Lord" which is the beginning of wisdom (Prov 1:7). Instead, Eve, "saw" she "took" and she "gave" it to Adam who "listened to the voice of...

In this study of the early chapters of Genesis, Rob leads a discussion of the beasts. In Genesis, humanity was called to rule over the beasts. Instead, humanity chose to decide right and wrong for themselves. As a result, instead of ruling the beasts, humanity becomes a beast (Dan 4). And instead of ruling the beasts, humanity is ruled by the beast--that is, human governments are viewed as beasts....

In this episode, Rob leads a study of the book of Genesis and a detailed look at the command for humanity to "rule" and "subdue."  We then discuss what this means in terms of creation care and other issues facing the 21st world.    NB: We apologize that the sound quality is not perfect. We would like to fix it but we don't know how!!!   Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spo...

In this episode, Rob leads a study of the book of Genesis and a detailed look at the Tree of Life. From Genesis through the OT and the Life of Jesus (who was died on a tree) to the Tree of Life in the New Jerusalem, trees play a prominent role in the Bible. Jesus even says, "a good tree bears good fruit." The Psalmist equates a person who studies God's word with a "tree planted by streams of water...

In today's study, we look at the creation account in Gen 2 and then survey the biblical literature to see how the theme of the river of life appears throughout the Bible climaxing in the Gospel of John and the water coming from Jesus' side and then culminating in the river that comes from the Throne in Rev 22:1-3.  Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you...

In this study, Rob leads a group through Gen 1:26-28 and discusses the questions of "what does it mean that humankind is made in the Image of God"? and "who was God speaking to when He said, "Let us make man in Our Image"?   Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go a long way towards helping others find this podcast....

In this study, Rob leads a look at Genesis 1 and the creation account. What is the meaning of the waters?  See notes below:  Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go a long way towards helping others find this podcast. Then share it with others so that we can get the word of the Gospel of the Kingdom to more people! N...

Rob and Vinnie continue their overview of the Gospel and examine Jesus' parable of the shrewd steward and the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16. Then they wrestle with the question of what this looks like in the American Church today.    Please "follow" this podcast, give a review on iTunes or Spotify and share it with others so that we can get the word of the Gospel of the Kingdom to more people! ...

Rob and Vinnie continue their overview of the Gospel of Luke by looking at Jesus' message and how it was revolutionary then and what it means for us today. The episode is a bit longer as they wrestle (no not literally) with the issues of love and justice today.  here is the link to my blog "Pro-life means Pro-all-life"    Please "follow" this podcast, give a review on iTunes or Spotify and share i...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie address the background of the Gospel of Luke in order to help us understand this Gospel. They address the Roman system of patronage and how that impacted the poor and marginalized in the Roman world and how Jesus enters that world and demands that His followers turn it upside down.    Here is a link to Warren Carter's book The Roman Empire: an Essential Guide Carter...

Rob and Vinnie hosted two Russian Christian ("Daniel" and "Isaiah") as well to two former missionaries in Russia (Phil and Sacha Opperman) to discuss the Church in Russia, the war and its impact, and how we as Christians can support our brothers and sisters in Christ during this time.  Please "follow" this podcast, give a review on iTunes or Spotify and share it with others so that we can get the...

Rob and Vinnie walk through Matt chapters 10-20 to provide some context for understanding the text. How do we understand Jesus' teachings and Matthew's gospel?  Listen in to find out more.    NB: we apologize that the audio quality is not to our standards. We have fired all those responsible and will see to it that it never happens again! JK. But we do apologize!    Please "follow" this podcast, g...

Rob and Vinnie interview Bruce Fisk, PhD to discuss the Gospel of Matthew and the question of Jesus and the Jews. What does it mean that Jesus is the fulfillment of the OT for the Jewish people and the land of Israel. Were the early Christians antisemitic? Join us for a conversation with former Westmont Profession and senior research fellow for the Network of Evangelicals for the Middle East.  Her...

Rob and Vinnie walk through the Sermon on the Mount discussing what it meant then and how it applies now. What is fasting? Am I sinning because I am anxious? Does God promise me everything as long as I "ask, seek, and knock"?   Tune in to the full episode as we venture to understand Jesus' most famous sermon.    here is the link to Rob's post on Justice in the OT For some good resources to continu...