This episode focuses entirely on John 1:3 and its Jewish wisdom context. Prior to the writing of the Prologue of John, many Jews and Christians portrayed God as having created all things through his personified word/wisdom. We also explore the impact that Genesis chapter one had upon John 1:3. 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://podca...
Apr 30, 2020•40 min•Ep. 120
This episode explores what some modern scholars are saying about the last phrase in John 1:1, "the Word was God." These specialists argue that "the Word" and "God" are clearly distinguished and that "God" is an adjectival predication for the personified Word. 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-biblic...
Apr 23, 2020•24 min•Ep. 119
In this episode, we explore how portrayals of the personified word and personified wisdom of God influenced the opening line of John's Gospel, "The Word was with God" (John 1:1). We note several Jewish texts—all predating the Gospel of John—where poets depicted God alongside his word/wisdom without suggesting that these personified attributes were conscious divine persons. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iMFP9VC Buy The Son of God: Three Views of the Iden...
Apr 16, 2020•30 min•Ep. 118
This episode explores the origins of the Logos from what is depicted in John chapter 1, namely, the "word" that was present in the beginning with God." We look into the Hebrew counterpart of Logos within the Old Testament, surveying its range of lexical meaning. This episode gives special attention to the passages in the Old Testament where the "word" is personified as an agent of God's creation and redemption. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iMFP9VC Buy ...
Apr 09, 2020•31 min•Ep. 117
As we conclude our study on the "Son of Man" sayings in the Gospel of John, we note an insistence that Jesus is a representative figure for human beings who are drawn to him. We also observe particular stress upon the fact that Jesus died fully and completely, indicating his mortality. Moreover, we discuss the hour of the Son of Man's glorification and note how this helps frame the important relationship between the true God and his human agent, Jesus. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of Joh...
Apr 02, 2020•30 min•Ep. 116
In John chapter 9, the blind man is healed and confesses Jesus as the Son of Man. In doing so, we learn that the Son of Man is a fully-fledged human being, functioning as God's agent. Those who do not regard Jesus as the true agent of God in the passage are judged as blind and still in their sins. 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://p...
Mar 26, 2020•37 min•Ep. 115
In John 8:28, the Son of Man claims, "I am he." This has led to a variety of interpretations. This episode looks at three modern scholarly views of what this phrase means for our current passage and the Gospel of John as a whole. 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-unitarian-podcast/id1347983...
Mar 19, 2020•34 min•Ep. 114
This episode focuses on John 6:62, where the Son of Man speaks of the scandal of ascending to where he was previously. How can we take seriously the identity of the Son of Man as the human agent of God while also giving fair weight to the insistence that he is to ascend to where he was before? This episode provides a balanced interpretation worth considering. My latest book, Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John, further develops this reading with additional context of Jewish speculation conc...
Mar 12, 2020•29 min•Ep. 113
In John chapter six, the narrative presents Jesus as the Son of Man who is the bread of life. In doing so, Jesus is portrayed as a human being in the strongest possible terms. However, the Son of Man's flesh is also depicted as coming down out of heaven, arguably as a reference to Logos Christology and Wisdom Christology. 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 ...
Mar 05, 2020•36 min•Ep. 112
As we continue to explore the Fourth Gospel's depiction of Jesus as the Son of Man, we observe that this human being is to be the object of a believer's faith. We also note that the Son of Man is authorized to exercise divine prerogatives, specifically, to give eternal life and to execute judgment. 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://...
Feb 27, 2020•22 min•Season 1Ep. 111
The Gospel of John has many "Son of Man" sayings that are not located in the previous three Gospels. In this episode, we explore the Son of Man who acts as the ladder between the open heavens and those on earth. We also explore how this authorized human being functions as an exclusive revealer of the things of heaven while remaining an actual human being. 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: htt...
Feb 20, 2020•36 min•Season 1Ep. 110
In this episode, we explore the Gospel of Luke and its understanding of Jesus' favorite self-reference, the Son of Man. We discuss passages where Jesus is the human representative of the suffering people of God, both past and present, and depictions of the Son of Man as personified wisdom's embodiment and as the mortal one who died and rose. 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/65...
Feb 13, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 109
As we continue our study through the Gospel of Matthew to better understand the Christological significance of Jesus' favorite self-reference, "the Son of Man," we encounter passages where the Son of Man possesses authority over the angels, the right to rule as a king, and the role of judge. We also observe that Jesus calls other human beings his "brothers," which further indicates that the Son of Man is an authentic member of the human race. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperba...
Feb 06, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 108
The Gospel of Matthew has additional sayings about the Son of Man that are absent from the Gospel of Mark. In this episode, we begin to explore these sayings in Matthew, where the Son of Man is a rejected figure, a figure who "comes," one who speaks in terms of Lady Wisdom, and who is greater than Jonah and Solomon. Matthew illustrates his Christology in terms of Jesus as a high-ranking human Messiah. (This is an older episode now uploaded to YouTube for the first time.) Buy Wisdom Christology i...
Jan 30, 2020•27 min•Season 1Ep. 107
In the final "Son of Man" story within the Gospel of Mark, Jesus stands before the High Priest in a trial regarding Jesus' temple actions and claims to be the Messiah. The messianic secret is finally revealed to Israel's leadership, but Jesus' claim to being the human Son of Man possessing authority from God results in being sentenced to death. 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...
Jan 23, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 106
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus says that the demise of the Son of Man is predicted in Scripture. However, there are no passages within the Hebrew Bible that talk about the suffering and death of a "son of man" figure. This episode explores the possibility that Daniel chapter 7 was the passage Jesus had in mind, a conclusion with important implications for the Christology of the title "Son of Man" in Mark. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iMFP9VC Buy The Son ...
Jan 16, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 105
In Mark chapter 13, Jesus gives the Olivet Discourse, which tells of a coming tribulation that will face the people of God. What most readers miss is that Mark portrays the events surrounding the betrayal, suffering, and death of the Son of Man with much of the same language used in Mark 13. This episode explores the relevance of the Son of Man representing the suffering people of God and how this strengthens the argument that the Son of Man is a human being. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel...
Jan 09, 2020•18 min•Season 1Ep. 104
The Gospel of Mark portrays the Son of Man returning with God's glory to act as judge. What are we to make of the Son of Man who performs God's role of judge and bears God's glory? Do these descriptions make Jesus divine, or are they indicators that God has empowered Jesus as an exceptional human agent of the true God? This episode explores these points within the depiction of the Son of Man in Mark 8:38. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iMFP9VC Buy The So...
Jan 02, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 103
The vocation of "Christ" in Mark's Gospel is unpacked as the Son of Man who will be rejected and killed. This episode explores how this expansion of the role belonging to Israel's Messiah, precisely as an authorized human being, contributes to Mark's Christology and discipleship. 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/...
Dec 26, 2019•21 min•Season 1Ep. 102
In the conflict story of Jesus' authority on the Sabbath, the title "Son of Man" is again referenced in Mark's Gospel. This episode explores what Jesus means by this title and how it makes the most sense as a reference to a special human agent of the true God who bears considerable authority. 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://podcas...
Dec 19, 2019•18 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Mark's Gospel depicts the very first occurrence of Jesus claiming to be the Son of Man in a conflict story regarding whether Jesus can forgive sins, a feat typically reserved for God alone. This episode explores how Jesus is portrayed as the authorized Son of Man as a window into the high human christology of Mark. 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...
Dec 12, 2019•24 min•Season 1Ep. 100
It seems clear that Jesus Christ drew heavily on the depiction of the "one like a son of man" in Daniel 7:13. What are we to make of this enigmatic figure? This episode seeks to understand what can be reasonably known about Daniel's "son of man" and speculate on what significance Jesus might have drawn from its imagery. 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 fr...
Dec 05, 2019•28 min•Season 1Ep. 99
Jesus used the phrase "Son of Man" of himself more frequently than any other title. What was it about this phrase that was so important to Jesus? This episode seeks to explore the origins of the phrase by looking at its appearances within the Hebrew Bible. We conclude that a "son of man" casually indicates a mortal human being. 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 Subscrib...
Nov 28, 2019•24 min•Season 1Ep. 98
Is the reference to baptism "in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit" in Matt 28:19 authentic Scripture? Many argue today that this verse has been tampered with and is now corrupt. This episode seeks to ascertain the details surrounding Matt 28:19 and its original meaning (how the author intended it to be understood). 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 ...
Nov 21, 2019•28 min•Season 1Ep. 97
Although the Book of Revelation is ignored and regarded as confusing by many Christians, some have insisted that it portrays the risen Jesus as one of the heavenly angels. In fact, a few published books by PhD-holding scholars have contributed to this argument. This episode examines their arguments to see if the Book of Revelation, like the rest of the New Testament, depicts Jesus as the human Messiah or as a heavenly angel. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/...
Nov 14, 2019•35 min•Season 1Ep. 96
What sort of picture of Jesus do we get from examining the arguments of Hebrews and 1 Peter? Is the risen Jesus, in any sense, a heavenly angel? Or is Jesus the highly exalted human Messiah, seated at Yahweh's right hand? The writers of Hebrews and 1 Peter both point to the latter conclusion. 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://podcas...
Nov 07, 2019•27 min•Season 1Ep. 95
This episode will look at some objections to suggesting that Paul regarded the risen Jesus as a human being. Two passages within the letters of Paul are often pointed to in order to argue that Paul actually did think of the risen Jesus as a nonhuman heavenly angel, even an archangel. This episode examines Gal. 4:14 and 1 Thes. 4:16 to determine what they teach regarding the risen Jesus' identity. Buy Wisdom Christology in the Gospel of John (paperback): https://a.co/d/iMFP9VC Buy The Son of God:...
Oct 31, 2019•25 min•Season 1Ep. 94
According to the Apostle Paul, Jesus was highly exalted after his resurrection. Was this exaltation a transformation into one of the heavenly angels, perhaps even into an archangel? This episode will examine the theology of Paul to discern if he understood the risen Jesus as a member of the heavenly hosts of angels or whether he is still a human being. 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:...
Oct 24, 2019•21 min•Season 1Ep. 93
Was Jesus transformed into one of the heavenly angels in his resurrected and exalted state? Or did the human Jesus remain human in his exalted status? This episode will explore the preaching of the early Church as summarized in the theology of the Book of Acts to see if Jesus was portrayed as one of the heavenly angels. 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 fr...
Oct 17, 2019•24 min•Season 1Ep. 92
In this episode, we turn to Mark and John to see if they portray Jesus as an angel from heaven. While both of these gospel accounts offer verses involving both Jesus and the heavenly angels, never once is there a suggestion that these two categories are to be confused with one another. Jesus is regarded as the human Messiah, both prior to and after his resurrection. 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...
Oct 10, 2019•22 min•Season 1Ep. 91
