This episode explores how the "Word of God" (Aramaic: "memra") was used to explain the activity of the God of Israel in the Jewish Targum Onkelos. After organizing the various ways that Onkelos understands and uses the "memra" of God in the Torah, we look at John 1:1-18 to see if our reading of that passage is illuminated by the Jewish context created by Targum Onkelos. We conclude that the memra of God in Targum Onkelos is not a preexisting, conscious person alongside the God of Israel. Please ...
Jun 24, 2021•49 min•Ep. 180
In this episode, we continue exploring how early Christians understood Jesus functioning within sacrificial terminology that was reserved for God alone. The Book of Hebrews has a lot to say about Jesus as a high priest and as one who sacrificially offered himself to the one God. We also look at Paul's theology of the death of Jesus to see how the cross is understood in terms of a sin offering. Lastly, we explore the Lord's Supper--the Eucharist--to better understand how this meal was practiced i...
Jun 18, 2021•36 min•Ep. 179
In this episode, we explore the function of sacrifices in the Ancient Near East, particularly in the ways they were differentiated from acts of worship and bowing down. Since the gods were understood to be the intended object of the offering of sacrifices and burnt offerings, we are able to examine early Christian "sacrificial" language to see whom they regarded as the true object. We note in our survey that God alone is the object of Christian "sacrifice" language, never Jesus Christ, while Jes...
Jun 10, 2021•30 min•Ep. 178
In this episode, we explore a 2004 article written by James Dunn on whether Jesus Christ was a Jewish monotheist. Dunn argues from Jesus' pious upbringing, his teachings within the gospel accounts, and the lasting impact upon his earliest followers that Jesus was, in fact, an adherer to monotheism. 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.c...
Jun 03, 2021•33 min•Ep. 177
In this episode, we explore the often overlooked meaning of the phrase Maranatha, which is an Aramaic expression meaning "Our Lord, Come!" We look into the significance of Paul using this phrase without translating it into Greek for his Greek-speaking audience. We also explore the arguably earliest Aramaic targums to see how the noun mar ("Lord") was used to determining whether Maranatha could refer to Jesus as Yahweh. In the end, we conclude that mar is not a way in which the divine name was re...
May 27, 2021•32 min•Ep. 176
In the final episode dealing with Mark's Christology, we look at the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus. First, we explore the significance of a concentration of "King of the Jews" references in Mark chapter 15, asking why it is that Mark has waited until Jesus' death to associate this royal title with Jesus. Next, we look at Jesus' citation of Psalm 22 in calling God "My God" and discern a noteworthy literary strategy that draws influence from the original psalm. Lastly, we look at the...
May 20, 2021•35 min•Ep. 175
In the final days before Jesus' death on the cross, Mark's narrative continues to unpack what it means to be the Son of God. In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked passage where Jesus is anointed with a costly perfume, which arguably furthers Mark's agenda of redefining the meaning of Son of God to include notions of one who dies for the people. Next, we look closely at Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane to better understand the relationship between the Son and the one called "Abba." Lastly, ...
May 13, 2021•34 min•Ep. 174
In this episode, we will devote all our attention to Mark 13:32, where Jesus claims his ignorance regarding the exact dating of the Son of Man's coming. Only the Father knows this crucial date. We examine the implications of this admission by Jesus for Mark's Christology and consider if high views of Jesus fit with the conclusions of this verse. We also survey early Christian interpreters of Mark 13:32 to note the various ways they regarded the passage. Lastly, we conclude by observing a unanimo...
May 06, 2021•28 min•Ep. 173
Mark chapter 12 offers much data regarding monotheism, Christology, and Jesus' relationship to God. In this episode, we first explore the Parable of the Wicked Tenants, where Jesus is sent by God and God is portrayed in an interesting manner. Second, we look closely at how Jesus defined the Jewish God, and in doing so, expresses his commitment to unitary monotheism. Lastly, we explore how to make sense of Jesus' statement that the son of David is also the exalted Lord alongside God. Please consi...
Apr 29, 2021•35 min•Ep. 172
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem entails noteworthy stories regarding his authority and relationship to God. In this episode, we first examine the parodying nature of the triumphal entry and focus on the Christological understanding of the crowds witnessing the event. Second, we look closely at Jesus' actions within the temple and his words towards the new temple community consisting of the disciples. Finally, we explore the nature of the questions from the temple leadership towards Jesus regarding t...
Apr 22, 2021•38 min•Ep. 171
This episode focuses entirely on the initial dialogue between the rich young ruler and Jesus, where Jesus plainly deflects the good compliment and claims instead that no one is good but God alone. While this basic statement made by Jesus clearly suggests that he is not the good God, this has not stopped an army of internet apologists from trying to find ways to get the text to say that Jesus really is the good God. We also look at what modern critical scholars on the Gospel of Mark have to say a...
Apr 15, 2021•31 min•Ep. 170
This episode looks at the portrayals of Jesus within Mark chapter 9. We first explore the account of the Transfiguration to see if we should conclude that Jesus is either divine or a prophet like Moses. We then turn to look at predictions of the suffering Son of Man and ask what this means and where the Old Testament speaks of the suffering of the Son of Man. Lastly, we explore what Mark possibly had in mind when he said that Jesus has been sent by God, asking if this "sending" language implies ...
Apr 08, 2021•36 min•Ep. 169
Mark is able to tell us about his high Christology by using healing stories of Jesus. We first look at the exorcism of the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman, who offers worship to Jesus and calls him "Lord." We then look at the first of two two-stage healing stories to see how Mark frames miracles by involving multiple steps. Just as the first stage of healing was not enough to fully restore sight to the blind man, the first confession by Peter is not enough to fully understand Mark's Christo...
Apr 01, 2021•39 min•Ep. 168
This episode explores the Christology portrayed in Mark chapter six. We first look at Jesus' hometown rejection, where he outright claims to be a prophetic figure. Next, we examine Jesus' claim to be the shepherd of the sheep. Third, we ask about the Christological portrayal of Jesus when he miraculously divides the loaves and the fish. Lastly, we ask what sort of thing is Jesus saying when he speaks of himself as he walks on the water. It is concluded that Mark depicted Jesus in chapter six as ...
Mar 25, 2021•36 min•Ep. 167
As we continue to work through the high christological statements in the Gospel of Mark, we come across three fascinating stories. First, Jesus demonstrates authority over the wind and the seas, something regularly attributed to Yahweh. Second, Jesus receives worship from the demonized man. Lastly, Jesus calls himself "the Lord." This episode explores how these exalted things describing Jesus make the most sense as pertaining to one who is authorized and empowered by God. Please consider support...
Mar 18, 2021•41 min•Ep. 166
As we continue our study in the Gospel of Mark to understand better the highest and most exalted things said of Jesus, we come across some interesting passages. Jesus claims to be the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus also renames disciples and commissions them in ministry. Furthermore, Jesus redefines the family structure. And yet, Jesus performs all these feats while remaining a human being, a highly authorized agent of God. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: ...
Mar 11, 2021•30 min•Ep. 165
Too often, interpreters interested in Christology gravitate to their favorite verses while ignoring passages used by their opponents. This episode begins a study that examines Mark's Gospel to wrestle with the most challenging things it has to say for the Biblical Unitarian position. We focus on the highest, most exalted claims of Jesus. The goal is to understand better and become more comfortable with all that the Gospel of Mark teaches about Jesus. Please consider supporting this Podcast and f...
Mar 04, 2021•34 min•Ep. 164
The hymn of worship in Revelation 19 is the only occurrence where the proper name of God, Yahweh, is brought forth into the New Testament within the phrase "Hallelujah." This episode explores this hymn to see what it says about Yahweh, his worshippers, and his righteous acts. We also examine the implications for monotheism as we look at how Yahweh is portrayed in this hymn. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks To view t...
Feb 25, 2021•30 min•Ep. 163
The hymn of worship in Revelation chapter 15 depicts the ideal readers as conquering persons combined with exodus imagery. We examine how worship serves as a means of faithful behavior and why the true God is praised as righteous, holy, and sovereign. Furthermore, we discuss how the Lord God's praise fits within a monotheistic context to gain a deeper understanding of what the early Christians thought about God. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://...
Feb 18, 2021•29 min•Ep. 162
The fifth worship hymn within the Book of Revelation celebrates the inauguration of God's kingdom and the authority of Jesus. Furthermore, the hymn praises the behavior of the faithful people of God in three specific ways. Since the people of God are thoroughly described in this hymn, it raises the question regarding the intended application of worship. Lastly, we examine the nature of monotheism and how the highly exalted Jesus operates in conjunction with the only true God. Please consider sup...
Feb 11, 2021•30 min•Ep. 161
At the return of Jesus to consummate the kingdom of God, a hymn breaks out within the narrative of the Book of Revelation. This episode examines the contents of the call-and-response hymn (in Rev. 11), exploring how it serves as praise within the context of suffering and how those praised in the hymn would have been understood within early Christian monotheism. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks To view the notes from...
Feb 04, 2021•34 min•Ep. 160
This episode explores the call-and-response hymn in Revelation chapter 7. In doing so, we notice that Revelation's ideal readers are offering worship to both God and Jesus within a single hymn. We discuss the implications of worshipping the Lamb alongside the only true God and suggest that God's identity is not threatened within this worship practice. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks To view the notes from this epis...
Jan 28, 2021•29 min•Ep. 159
In Revelation chapter 5, the ideal readers initiate a worship hymn to Jesus. In doing so, they detail the reasons for Jesus' worthiness, giving attentive readers a better understanding of why hymnic praise can (and should) be offered to a highly exalted human being. This episode explores the hymn offered to Jesus and encourages its listeners to become participants rather than mere readers. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintrut...
Jan 21, 2021•29 min•Ep. 158
The Book of Revelation offers seven hymns that tell us much about the worship practices of the early church. This episode looks at Revelation's first hymn, located in chapter 4. The object is seated upon the throne, which is repeatedly expressed with singular pronouns and verbs. We also look at how the ideal readers of Revelation are invited to participate in this hymn through active worship practices, by singing about God's unique role as the Creator, and even acknowledging creation's preexiste...
Jan 14, 2021•29 min•Ep. 157
In Revelation 19:13, Jesus is called "the word of God." Is this a reference to the Prologue of John's Gospel, where the Word is with God in the beginning? Or is the word of God a descriptive reference to Jesus' preaching of the gospel of the kingdom? This episode explores how the phrase "word of God" functions in the Book of Revelation, looking closely at Jesus as a faithful witness of the good news. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.m...
Jan 07, 2021•35 min•Ep. 156
The covenant is often portrayed as a marriage in both testaments of the Bible. While the Hebrew Bible regards Yahweh as the covenantal husband, the New Testament unambiguously insists that the husband is now Jesus, God's human agent. This episode explores how both testaments depict the marriage metaphor within the covenant relationship to discern the Christological implications of the husband/groom. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me...
Dec 31, 2020•30 min•Ep. 155
Biblical scholars and commentaries on the Book of Revelation often portray the three antagonists--the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet--loosely as the "unholy Trinity." The implication is that the unholy Trinity must be the evil counterpart to the "Holy Trinity." This episode explores these concepts and examines whether "trinity" is an appropriate term for the three antagonists. We also look at the parallels between the unholy triad and the holy triad to see if the doctrine of the Trinit...
Dec 24, 2020•32 min•Ep. 154
Revelation 12:1-6 depicts the cosmic struggle between the woman and the dragon. While modern readers are probably correct in interpreting these figures are the people of God and the devil, they often fail to note that this story is a retelling of an ancient mythic fable involving the woman Leto and the dragon Python. This episode explores the Leto Myth and compares it with its Christian retelling in Revelation 12 in order to see the Christology presented for Revelation's readers to adopt. Please...
Dec 17, 2020•28 min•Ep. 153
The Christology within the Book of Revelation portrays Jesus as both a lion and a lamb. This episode explores these images, asks about their messianic significance, and emphasizes the literary motif where the lamb further defines how Jesus conquered as a lion. The result is that Jesus is thoroughly regarded as a human ruler who descended from a long line of notable Israelite persons. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks...
Dec 10, 2020•41 min•Ep. 152
As Jesus speaks to the Christian communities in Philadelphia and Laodicea, much can be gathered about the Christology presented in the Book of Revelation. Various titles insist that Jesus is a trustworthy and reliable speaker. Furthermore, Jesus differentiates himself from God, who is identified as Jesus' God and Jesus' Father. Moreover, we learn that God has shared his prerogatives of kingship and dominion with the risen and exalted Jesus. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future proj...
Dec 03, 2020•35 min•Ep. 151
