The determinetruth Podcast

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie continue their introduction to the book of Acts. "Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel at this time? They look at Ezekiel 37 and how that may illuminate our understanding of the kingdom of God and the message of Acts.   Please "follow" this podcast and give a review on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Your review will go a long way...

In this episode, Rob and Vinnie begin a study of the book of Acts. Acts narrates the Christ movement from the Ascension of Jesus (AD 30) to Paul's imprisonment in Rome (AD 62). The book shows the first Christ-followers doing what Jesus did as they take the message of Christ to the Roman world. While going, however, they experience great opposition. the early years of the Church were filled with gr...

In this episode, Rob leads a zoom Bible study through the Flood episode in Gen 6-9. We note many of the parallels between Adam and Noah and the Flood narrative. 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 Gos...

In this episode, Rob leads a study of Gen 5-6 and a discussion of the sons of God (the divine council). We will wrestle with perhaps what is the most confusing/difficult passage in the Bible (Gen 6:1-4).    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...

In this study, Rob leads through a discussion of Gen 4 and the Cain and Abel story. We will note how sin is increasing and getting worse. Adam and Eve are deceived and so is Cain (1 John 3:11-12). As we move through Genesis 4 we note Cain kills his brother and hides--just like Adam and Even hid. Then as the story continues we learn that within 7 generations one of Cain's descendants (Lamech) kills...

Rob and Vinnie interview Johannine scholar and former professor Marianne Meye Thompson to discuss her thoughts on the Gospel of John. What is John's objective? What does John want us to know and do?  Click here for Dr Thompson’s book on Introducing the NT Click here for her book on the God of the Gospel of John  Click here for the  painting Dr Thompson refers to  Please "follow" this podcast and g...

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!   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 thi...

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...