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Truth Talk
Truth Talk is a bold, dialogue-driven podcast where filters die and truth speaks. Hosted by Caleb Cross and Eliana Rivers, each episode strips away religious fluff, hyper-grace distortions, self-help illusions, and New Age counterfeits to uncover the raw, Edenic truth of Scripture.
Through honest back-and-forth conversation, they expose the hidden layers of sin, the scandal of the Cross, and the shocking hope of resurrection life. From the garden of Eden to the torn veil of the temple, every episode connects ancient wisdom to your daily walk with clarity, conviction, and courage.
This isn’t safe religion. It’s not motivational hype. It’s unfiltered gospel: Adam’s curse overturned, Christ’s blood shed, Eden’s gate reopened.
If you’re hungry for answers no one else dares to ask, Truth Talk will take you there.
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Meet the Voices
Caleb Cross — the prophetic voice of Truth Talk. Bold, uncompromising, and always pointing back to Eden’s blueprint and Christ’s cross, Caleb embodies the fiery watchman who calls out distortions, exposes hidden deceptions, and declares raw truth without filters.
Eliana Rivers — the seeker’s voice. Honest, curious, and sometimes hesitant, she asks the questions many listeners carry: “But doesn’t this sound harsh?” or “Isn’t grace supposed to be effortless?” Her role is to bring the human wrestle to the table so the answers land where real people live.
Together — Caleb and Eliana are narrative voices created for Truth Talk. They aren’t individual preachers but conversation partners who embody two sides we all need: conviction and curiosity. Their dynamic makes weighty biblical truth engaging, relatable, and unforgettable.
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A Note on the Voices
Caleb Cross and Eliana Rivers are not literal people but narrative voices created for Truth Talk. They embody the journey every believer faces: conviction and curiosity. Caleb carries the prophetic, truth-declaring weight; Eliana gives space to the honest questions we all wrestle with. Together, they make room for Scripture to speak with both fire and tenderness.
This podcast does not target people but weighs doctrines. We believe most preachers genuinely desire to point people to God. Our purpose is simply to measure every message against Scripture and, where needed, bring correction — so that Eden’s air can breathe through again.
Truth Talk
The Wrath Problem: Why "God's Not Mad at You" Creates Dangerous Saints
What happens when the comforting phrase "God's not mad at you" becomes an excuse for spiritual carelessness? In this raw, unfiltered conversation, we dissect popular "hyper-grace" teachings that have swept through modern Christianity, revealing both the liberating truth and hidden dangers within these messages.
At the heart of our discussion lies a critical distinction many believers miss: the difference between judicial standing and relational intimacy with God. While Romans 8:1 assures us there's "no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus," we explore how this judicial freedom transforms our relationship with God from Judge to Father—without eliminating His heartbreak over our sin. As Ephesians 4:30 reminds us, we can still "grieve the Holy Spirit" even when our salvation remains secure.
We challenge listeners to reconsider what motivated Adam's obedience in Eden. Was it merely fear of punishment, or something deeper—the desire not to wound the heart of love itself? This perspective reshapes how we understand grace, discipline, and holiness. God's love isn't indifferent to our choices; it's a "consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29) that refines us for deeper intimacy.
The most transformative insight comes in shifting our internal dialogue: stop asking "Will God punish me?" and start asking "Will this grieve the One who died for me?" True grace doesn't make us careless with our freedom; it makes us profoundly careful with the heart of Christ. Join us as we strip away comfortable clichés and rediscover how grace invites us not just to avoid God's wrath, but to walk worthy of His extraordinary love. Listen now, and never view "God's not mad at you" the same way again.
💡 Hosted by Caleb Cross & Eliana Rivers
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Disclaimer: The content of this podcast addresses theological ideas and teachings often described as “hyper-grace.” We do not target or attack any individual by name. Our goal is to measure doctrine against the Word of God and encourage listeners to walk in truth, holiness, and grace. Any quotes referenced are from publicly available teachings and are examined for the purpose of biblical analysis.
This podcast critiques doctrines commonly called hyper-grace. Our focus is on teachings, not individuals. All views expressed are biblical reflections intended to help listeners weigh every message against Scripture.
Speaker 2:Caleb, last episode you talked about abiding through obedience, but I keep hearing this phrase everywhere God's not mad at you. And honestly it's comforting, like if he's not angry, then I can just rest in his love without worrying about well anything. Really, isn't that what grace means Eliana.
Speaker 1:That phrase contains truth and poison in equal measure. Here's the truth for those in Christ, God's wrath has been satisfied. Romans 8.1,. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. But here's the twist that comfort becomes deadly when it's used to justify carelessness, when God's not mad becomes God doesn't care what I do.
Speaker 2:But, caleb, if Jesus took all God's anger, shouldn't that give us total peace? Why would we need to worry about his displeasure anymore?
Speaker 1:Because we've confused judicial standing with relational intimacy. Listen carefully. God isn't your judge anymore. If you're in Christ, he's your father, and fathers discipline their children. Here's the hidden layer. Eden wasn't just about avoiding God's wrath. It was about walking in his delight. Adam didn't obey just to avoid punishment. He obeyed because disobedience grieved the heart of love itself.
Speaker 2:So it's not about fear of punishment anymore. It's about not wanting to disappoint someone who loves you.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and Ephesians 4.30 warns us not to grieve the Holy Spirit. A parent's heart can break without their hand striking. When we sin, we don't lose our salvation, but we wound the heart of the one who died for us. That's actually harder to bear, isn't it? Knowing you've hurt someone who loves you perfectly.
Speaker 2:I think I've used God's not mad as permission to be sloppy Like if his love never corrects. Why take holiness seriously?
Speaker 1:And that's the forbidden insight. When we preach no wrath without preaching holy love, we create careless Christians who mistake indifference for grace. But God's love isn't indifferent, it's consuming fire. Hebrews 12 29 says our God is a consuming fire, not to terrify us but to refine us. His love burns away everything that hinders intimacy. Think about it. Would you rather have a father who never cared enough to be grieved by your choices, or one whose love runs so deep that your rebellion breaks his heart?
Speaker 2:The second one, because that means I actually matter to him.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and here's what hyper-grace misses. God's displeasure isn't the same as his wrath. A loving father can be deeply displeased without rejecting his child. His discipline flows from covenant love, not covenant breaking. 1 Corinthians 11.32 says. But when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world. His correction keeps us from destruction condemned with the world.
Speaker 2:His correction keeps us from destruction.
Speaker 1:So God's not mad, should lead me deeper into his heart, not away from caring about his heart. Yes, here's the next step. Shift your frame. Stop asking will God punish me? Start asking. Stop asking. Will God punish me? Start asking will this grieve the one who died for me? Embrace tender conviction. When the spirit nudges, don't silence it with slogans. Let his gentle voice guide you deeper into love. Remember the cross Every time you're tempted to be careless. Remember what your freedom costs him Not his anger, but his blood.
Speaker 2:So grace isn't permission to be sloppy, it's invitation to walk, worthy of such love.
Speaker 1:Exactly, that's the raw truth. No filters, just freedom. True grace doesn't make you careless. It makes you careful with the heart of the one who loves you. And in episode 12, we'll see how this heart response transforms obedience from burden into breath. This is Truth Talk, where filters die and truth speaks.