Gospel Truth Project

Terms Defined (Solo Episode)

Welcome back to the Gospel Truth Project! This week, host Jason is flying solo (Dylan is out) and gives a quick update on the audiobook recording for his book, A Nobody's Opinion, before diving deep into a crucial, foundational topic: defining our biblical terms. In a world where cults and cultural Christianity often use Christian vocabulary but rely on a completely different dictionary, how do we know we are actually speaking the same language? Jason emphasizes the importance of going Ad Fontes (to the original sources) to expose false claims and solidify true, historical, Christ-centered orthodoxy. In this episode, we tackle the big questions: What does it actually mean to call yourself a Christian? How do we engage with fringe groups or door-to-door missionaries who use the same biblical words but entirely change their meanings? Join us as we explore: * Ad Fontes & Prima Scriptura: Why getting to the root of the original Greek and Hebrew text is vital, and how early church writings can help us understand Scripture without replacing its ultimate authority. * Defining the Terms: A deep dive into the original, historical meaning of words like Christian (Christianos), Belief/Faith (Pistis), Grace (Charis), and the Sabbath. * The Nicene Test: Defining the non-negotiable core of historic Christianity that unites believers (The Trinity, the Virgin Birth, the dual nature of Christ, salvation by grace, and the bodily return of Jesus). * Apologetics in Action: Practical "Socratic Questions" you can use when talking to friends or members of the LDS church and Jehovah's Witnesses to expose doctrinal errors. * Equipping the Saints: A look at free study tools like Blue Letter Bible, BibleRef, and Catena Bible to help you study the Word for yourself. Don't just take Jason's word for it—grab your Bible, look up the original languages, and test everything against Scripture! Resources mentioned in this episode: * Blue Letter Bible (App & Website) * BibleRef.com [http://BibleRef.com] * CatenaBible.com [http://CatenaBible.com] * A Nobody's Opinion by Jason Cooper To read our latest blog posts, check out our merch, or support the podcast, visit us at gospeltruthproject.com [http://gospeltruthproject.com].

The Depth of the Trinity

Welcome back to the Gospel Truth Project! This week is a special milestone—Jason and Brandon are sitting down for their very first IN-PERSON recording! No screens, no remote delays, just two friends with their Bibles open (and bellies full of sushi) diving deep into one of the most foundational, yet complex, doctrines of the Christian faith: The Trinity. In this episode, we tackle the big questions: What does it actually mean that God is three distinct Persons but one Being? Does the Bible really teach the Trinity, or did the Council of Nicaea just make it up? (Spoiler alert: It’s all over the text!). Join us as we explore: * Genesis 1 & John 1: The beautiful connection between Elohim and the Word who was God. * The Danger of Bad Analogies: Why explaining God as an egg, a shamrock, or water actually leads to the heresy of Modalism. * The "I AM" Statements: How Jesus boldly used the Greek Septuagint to declare His deity during His trial. * The Holy Spirit: Defending the personhood of the Spirit against the idea that He is just an "impersonal force," and addressing the difficult topic of the unforgivable sin. * Exegesis vs. Eisegesis: Why getting to the root of the original Hebrew and Greek text is vital for understanding what the authors actually meant in their historical context. Whether you're a long-time believer trying to wrap your mind around this majestic doctrine or someone exploring the faith for the first time, this conversation will remind you of the depth, power, and relational beauty of our Triune God. As Jason reminds us, you don't need a perfect intellectual grasp of the Trinity to be saved—you just need faith in Christ Jesus—but studying who God truly is brings us to a place of profound awe and humility. Plus, stick around for some fun tangents about Star Trek conventions, the value of the Blue Letter Bible app, and a powerful testimony of how the Holy Spirit is moving in the world today. Grab your study Bible and join the conversation! (Note: Dylan will be jumping back on with us very soon!)

The Root and the Fruit (or Surviving Florida Lizards)

Welcome back to the Gospel Truth Project! After surviving a sudden banishment to the wilds of Florida, complete with lizard attacks and the capture of a remarkably un-mutant, non-ninja box turtle, Jason has returned to the studio. This week, he is joined once again by returning fan-favorite guest, Brandon, to tackle a massive, life-changing topic: The Fruit of the Spirit. But before they can talk about the fruit, Jason and Brandon have to talk about the Root. The guys kick things off by exploring the true identity of the Holy Spirit. Spoiler alert: He is not an impersonal cosmic force, an "active energy," or a Star Wars reference. He is the third Person of the co-equal, co-eternal Trinity, the divine seal of our salvation, and the life-giving sap flowing between the Vine (Christ) and the branches (us). Once the foundation is laid, Jason and Brandon dive deep into Galatians 5:22-23. They break down why the Apostle Paul intentionally uses the singular word for "Fruit" (karpos). It’s not a buffet where you can load your plate with "joy" and skip the "patience"; it is a singular, unified harvest of Christlikeness. They discuss the three relational spheres of the Fruit, how to avoid the dangerous ditches of legalism and "cheap grace," and why true spiritual growth comes from abiding in Christ, not by white-knuckling your way to good behavior. Expect some robust Greek exegesis, a few hard truths about cultural Christianity, a tangent about God's favorite animal (is it the donkey?), and a highly debatable corporate analogy from Brandon that frames God as the ultimate CEO. Grab your Bibles, check your spiritual branches, and tune in for an episode full of laughs, Socratic questions, and deep biblical truth. Key Scriptures Mentioned: * Galatians 5:16-26 * John 15:4-8 * John 16:13-14 * Ephesians 1:13-14 * Matthew 7:15-23 Resources & Terms to Look Up: * Pneuma: Greek for Spirit * Karpos: Greek for Fruit * Menō: Greek for Abide/Remain * The Nicene Creed (381 AD)

GTP Guest: Brandon - Faith vs Belief

In this deep-diving and thought-provoking episode of the Gospel Truth Project podcast, host Jason is joined once again by special guest and friend, Brandon. While Dylan is away this week, Jason and Brandon tackle a fundamental and often misunderstood topic in modern Christianity: the true difference between mere belief and biblical faith. Diving into scripture and the original Greek, they break down the difference between intellectual assent and saving faith. They unpack why having perfect theology isn't enough, contrasting the danger of "cheap grace" with the costly, lifelong allegiance required of true discipleship. The conversation also explores crucial theological concepts like exegesis versus eisegesis, the defining differences between grace and mercy, and the active nature of Agape love. At the end of the episode, listeners are challenged with two critical questions: Have you merely believed about Jesus, or have you yielded your life into His new covenant? And does your life reflect the obedience of a son or the fear of a servant? Grab your Bible, get ready to check the scriptures yourself, and join us for this powerful conversation!

The Apologist’s Heart: Truth Without Toxicity (Jason Solo Episode)

Welcome back to The Gospel Truth Project Podcast! Today, Jason is riding solo to tackle a struggle many of us are facing right now: Apologetics Fatigue. If you are feeling battered by theological debates at family dinners, ideological battles in the workplace, or toxic comment sections online, this episode is for you. How do we hold the line for historic Christian orthodoxy in a post-Christian culture without our hearts becoming cold, cynical, or arrogant? Join Jason as we dive deep into the original Greek, early church history, and practical tactics to help you keep a "soft heart and a sharp mind." We aren't called to win arguments; we are called to point people to the Kingdom. In This Episode, We Discuss the original medical term used for "restore" and why biblical apologetics is like setting a broken bone, not amputating a limb. The fascinating first-century pagan history behind Paul’s warning about being a "noisy gong or a clanging cymbal." Learn why you don't have to argue anyone into the Kingdom by the sheer force of your intellect. God’s grace goes before you! Why Christians should never play the "gotcha" game. Jason breaks down how to use Steel-Manning and Socratic Questions to dismantle false ideologies with gentleness and respect. The hard truth that even if you have perfect exegesis and flawless logic, you will still face rejection. Jesus was the perfect apologist, and they crucified Him. Scripture References: * 1 Peter 3:15 * Galatians 6:1 * 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 * Titus 2:11 & 2 Peter 3:9 * John 1:14 & John 15:18 * 2 Timothy 3:16 Resources & Study Tools Mentioned: * Blue Letter Bible [https://www.blueletterbible.org/] (For Greek/Hebrew word studies) * Strong's Concordance * EarlyChurchWritings.com [http://EarlyChurchWritings.com] (Referencing Ignatius of Antioch and the Didache) Quote of the Episode: "Apologetics is not about amputating a limb, it's setting a broken bone. It requires firmness to get the bone back in place, which is truth, but it must be done with delicate care, which is grace." Call to Action: Don't just read the Bible—study it! Dig into the Word, check the context, and test everything against Scripture. If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend or a fellow believer who might be exhausted from the culture wars. Subscribe & Follow: Catch every episode of The Gospel Truth Project on RSS.com [http://RSS.com] or wherever you listen to podcasts!