When Jesus reveals himself to the churches in Thyatira and Sardis, we learn a great deal about the Christology of the Book of Revelation. This episode explores how Jesus presents himself to these two Christian communities, paying special attention to how he frames his identity in light of the cities' histories and social contexts. Furthermore, we note that Jesus still has a God, the Father of Jesus. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me...
Nov 26, 2020•42 min•Ep. 150
The risen Jesus appeared to John of Patmos and instructed him to write what he saw to seven churches in Asia Minor. In these letters, Jesus communicates in ways that reveal much about who he is and his authority. This episode examines the first three letters to the seven churches in Revelation to uncover what we can learn about Jesus. We discover a Jesus that is most clearly understood within a high human christological framework. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by do...
Nov 19, 2020•39 min•Ep. 149
In Revelation chapter 1, the exalted Jesus appears to John of Patmos. John offers readers many descriptions of Jesus that reveal much about his Christology. This episode examines seven of these characteristics from a Jewish theological perspective, a Roman imperial perspective, and a scriptural allusion perspective. We find that Jesus is a highly exalted and exceptionally authorized human being. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10m...
Nov 12, 2020•39 min•Ep. 148
In this episode, we explore the implications of Jesus being described in terms that associate him with the Lord God. Our first test case examines the combined biblical citations of God being pierced and the Son of Man. The second test case seeks to understand the meaning of the title "Alpha and Omega," which is used by both the Lord God and Jesus. We conclude that Jesus Christ is regularly portrayed as an authorized human being who has received prerogatives, kingship, and glory from the true God...
Nov 05, 2020•39 min•Ep. 147
The Book of Revelation has much to say about Jesus Christ's person and identity. This episode introduces the Christology of Revelation by examining how Jesus is portrayed in the opening verses of the first chapter. We note that Revelation depicts Jesus as subordinate to God, distinguished from God, and faithful to God. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iMFP9VC Buy The Son of God: Three Views of the Identity of Jesus: https://a.co/d/65WTnrC Subscribe for fre...
Oct 29, 2020•29 min•Ep. 146
The Book of Revelation is known for its images and metaphors. This episode explores how Revelation reveals the person and identity of the true God. The most powerful image of God is that he is the one seated upon the throne. This image, which expresses the truth that God is in charge and he is ruling, is later employed within the narrative of Revelation to show that the exalted Jesus shares in God's rule. The Book of Revelation is also clear that the true God is the God of Jesus. We furthermore ...
Oct 22, 2020•32 min•Ep. 145
While the Hebrew concept called the "plural of majesty" described the one God with plural forms in order to heighten his excellence, what are we to make of plural forms used to describe individual human beings? This episode looks at instances in the Hebrew Bible where human individuals are portrayed with plural nouns, not unlike the plural of majesty examples. If plural forms can be used to describe human beings when it is clear that only one individual is in view, then the same conclusions shou...
Oct 15, 2020•27 min•Ep. 144
As we continue to examine the plural of majesty, which seeks to explain how Israel's one God came to be expressed in occasional plural forms, we see that God's holiness is poetically depicted in the plural. We also explore references to God as the Creator and even as the covenant husband of Israel, which are sometimes in the plural. Lastly, we find that the plural of majesty has extended into biblical Aramaic sections of Scripture, particularly in regard to God as the Most High. Please consider ...
Oct 08, 2020•38 min•Ep. 143
The God revealed in the Old Testament is awesome and majestic, but this God is still a single, undivided self--one person. He is expressed in plural forms, like elohim, for intensification purposes, and this is regarded by Hebrew grammarians as the plural of majesty. This episode explores how the plural of majesty is expressed throughout the Hebrew poetry of Psalms, where plural forms indicative of intensification are observed in verbs and multiple references to God's temple dwelling. Please con...
Oct 01, 2020•28 min•Ep. 142
Does the plural form of the Hebrew noun elohim indicate that Yahweh is a plurality of persons? Hebrew grammarians call this concept the plural of majesty--namely when elohim is paired with singular verbs to indicate that God is only one person (not two or three persons). This episode introduces the plural of majesty in order to understand better the significance of plural references to God within the Hebrew Bible. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https:...
Sep 24, 2020•35 min•Ep. 141
Apologists who attempt to defend the preexistence of Jesus sometimes suggest that Malachi 3:1 proves their claim. This episode examines Malachi 3:1 to see what it says, if anything, about the preexistence of Jesus. We listen to the wisdom of biblical scholars on Malachi and consider how the New Testament authors interpret it. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks To view the notes from this episode please click the link ...
Sep 17, 2020•36 min•Ep. 140
This episode of the Biblical Unitarian Podcast lets us tune into the never before released live Q&A that took place after my recent debate on whether Jesus Christ consciously preexisted his birth. You can listen to the debate in its entirety here: https://youtu.be/Nmg_y4q4RsQ . Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks To view the notes from this episode please click the link below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xB...
Sep 10, 2020•36 min•Ep. 139
In this episode, we get to hear the final portions of my recent debate regarding whether Jesus Christ preexisted his birth consciously. In particular, we will listen to the cross-examination and the closing statements. I also offer some insider perspective on why I chose the cross-examination question that I used as well as some thoughts on the conclusion of the debate. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks To view the n...
Sep 03, 2020•40 min•Ep. 138
In this episode, we listen to the next segment of my recent debate/dialogue with Mr. Eric Miller on the nature of Jesus' preexistence. Eric Miller argued that Jesus did consciously preexist his birth while I argued that Jesus came into existence at his birth. We both have a chance to offer two rebuttals, with Mr. Miller beginning and with me following afterward. I offer some insights and commentary on why I framed my two rebuttals in the manner that I did. Feel free to listen to the debate in it...
Aug 27, 2020•38 min•Ep. 137
In this week's episode, we will listen to the opening statements of my recent debate with Mr. Eric Miller on the nature of Jesus' preexistence. I also offer a few reflections on the debate. To listen to the entire debate, click on this link: https://youtu.be/Nmg_y4q4RsQ Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks To view the notes from this episode please click the link below: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XMOlDtwGV3B3at...
Aug 20, 2020•35 min•Ep. 136
The first letter of Peter offers much insight into Petrine Christianity, especially its monotheism and Christology. This episode examines how Peter regarded the God of Jesus and wrestles with difficult passages surrounding Jesus' person and preexistence. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iMFP9VC Buy The Son of God: Three Views of the Identity of Jesus: https://a.co/d/65WTnrC Subscribe for free on iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-biblical-un...
Aug 13, 2020•41 min•Ep. 135
Philippians is the letter of Paul that many interpreters feel exhibits high Christology. What we actually find is that Paul holds a high human Christology, where the obedient king took upon the attitude of the Suffering Servant and was highly exalted afterward. Paul continues to portray his monotheism, human Christology, and his understanding of the relationship between God and Christ in terms that are consistent with second temple Judaism. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future proj...
Aug 06, 2020•40 min•Ep. 134
Paul's massive letter to the Romans has much to say about monotheism, Christology, and the relationship between God and Jesus. For Paul, God continues to be one person, as expressed in the Jewish Shema. Jesus is the descendant of David and the second Adam--a human being. This episode also explores some of the trickier passages in Romans surrounding the person of Jesus and his exalted role as Lord. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iMFP9VC Buy The Son of God...
Jul 30, 2020•44 min•Ep. 133
In this episode, we examine 2 Corinthians to see how Paul understands the true God and the risen Jesus. We discuss the benediction of 2 Corinthians, which is often thought of being a reference to the Trinity. Furthermore, we examine the theology of the "rich" Jesus who became poor, asking if this is even a reference to incarnation at all. We also pay special attention to the theology of the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https:/...
Jul 23, 2020•39 min•Ep. 132
In 1 Corinthians, Paul clearly defines the Christian God to be one person, the Father alone. Jesus is the human Messiah whose death was sufficient to cover sins. The risen and exalted Jesus remains subordinate to the Father in both rank and function. Paul also details his Wisdom Christology in 1 Corinthians, and in doing so, he regards God's personified Wisdom as the type of the man Jesus Christ. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iMFP9VC Buy The Son of God:...
Jul 16, 2020•37 min•Ep. 131
In this episode, we examine how God and Christ are portrayed in the early letter of Galatians. We note that Paul regards God as a single person--the Father alone. Furthermore, we observe that Jesus is the Son of God who was born of a woman and who died. God, of course, woke Jesus up from the dead. The resurrected Jesus represents believers as those who are "in Christ"—those who are represented by the anointed king Jesus. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iM...
Jul 09, 2020•37 min•Ep. 130
How did early Christians understand the exalted Jesus alongside the one true God of Israel in 2 Thessalonians? This episode examines the contents of this epistle to see if the Jewish God is anything other than a single person—the Father alone. We also examine how the exalted Jesus is described with titles, roles, and acts of judgment. Lastly, we consider whether the Lord Jesus Christ is "our God" in a disputed passage. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iMFP...
Jul 02, 2020•31 min•Ep. 129
In what ways did the early Christians depict God and Christ in terms of Jewish monotheism? Some scholars have argued that, in various ways, the distinction between God and Jesus was blurred by early Christians, especially Paul. This episode examines 1 Thessalonians, the earliest document in the New Testament, to determine how Paul depicted the risen Jesus in relation to the monotheistic God of Judaism. 1 Thessalonians repeatedly insists that the Father is the true God and that Jesus is the risen...
Jun 25, 2020•38 min•Ep. 128
John 1:18 concludes the Prologue of the Fourth Gospel (1:1-18). In doing so, John 1:18 defines the unseen God as the Father alone, thus distinguishing Jesus from God. There is also a tricky textual variant in John 1:18 that continues to divide commentators and translations. Arguments are made in favor of the "unique son" reading as the original. Lastly, the unique son who explains and reveals the unseen God defines the relationship between the two that will appear frequently in the Fourth Gospel...
Jun 18, 2020•34 min•Ep. 127
According to John 1:15, Jesus, born months after John the Baptist, was before John. What does the Greek adjective "protos" mean in John 1:15 (and in its parallel in 1:30)? Is the Baptist saying that Jesus outranked him or that Jesus was prior to John, and if so, in what sense? This episode weighs the strengths and weaknesses of the two different meanings of the ambiguous adjective "protos." The study sets John 1:15 in the context of the Prologue (1:1-18), where Jesus is portrayed as the embodime...
Jun 11, 2020•28 min•Ep. 126
While some translations of John 1:14 have traditionally regarded Jesus as the "only-begotten," modern lexicons and grammarians are arguing that "unique" or "one of a kind" is a more accurate translation. This episode explores how the Prologue and the rest of the Gospel of John use the Greek adjective "monogenes" in regard to the human Jesus. In doing so, we focus on the meaning of the adjective and its origins within Jewish depictions of Lady Wisdom. Please consider supporting this Podcast and f...
Jun 04, 2020•28 min•Ep. 125
In John 1:14, the personified logos of God becomes flesh and "pitches his tent," evoking themes of the tabernacle and temple. In this episode, we explore the imagery of the logos "pitching his tent" within Jewish wisdom traditions. We discuss how Jesus, as a man, serves as the new temple presence in the Fourth Gospel, drawing people to himself while teaching in the physical temple. Lastly, we examine the significance of the temple's glory and its close connection to God's personified wisdom. Buy...
May 28, 2020•33 min•Ep. 124
John 1:14 indicates that the logos (God's personified speech) becomes flesh as the human being Jesus. This episode shows how the embodiment of God's personified attributes was depicted in previous portrayals of Lady Wisdom, specifically in Proverbs, Sirach, and Philo. The Prologue of the Gospel of John, which has been deeply influenced by Jewish wisdom speculation, needs to be interpreted in light of this relevant Jewish context. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://...
May 21, 2020•42 min•Ep. 123
The Prologue of John portrays the personified logos coming to the world and interacting with the Jewish people. Many refused to receive the logos, but some believed and became children of God. This episode explores how the logos/wisdom of God is to be understood as coming to the world in the ministry of Jesus, who summons the world to believe. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iMFP9VC Buy The Son of God: Three Views of the Identity of Jesus: https://a.co/d/...
May 14, 2020•41 min•Ep. 122
The Prologue of the Fourth Gospel depicts the personified logos in terms of life and light for human beings (John 1:4-5). These terms become symbolic of noteworthy narrative points that are picked up later in the Fourth Gospel. The Prologue also introduces John the Baptist and depicts him as one who testifies about the light of the world, the embodied logos, that summons humanity unto belief (John 1:6-8). Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iMFP9VC Buy The So...
May 07, 2020•27 min•Ep. 121
