As we continue to look into the Hebrew Bible for clues about the promised Messiah's description, role, and relationship with the God of Israel, we come across Ezekiel 34 and its prophecy about the Davidic shepherd-king. We explore how Yahweh is the true shepherd and how he empowers his servant David--the Davidic messiah--with the divine prerogatives of the shepherd. Then we turn to the New Testament to see how Jesus is illustrated with the God-given role as the shepherd of God's flock. Please co...
Mar 16, 2023•28 min•Ep. 270
This week we examine the fourth of Isaiah's servant songs, often deemed the Suffering Servant Song (Isaiah 52-53). We look closely at how this figure interacts with kings and his sinful countrymen, as well as his relationship with Yahweh. We then turn to explore at how the authors of the New Testament depict Jesus Christ as the Suffering Servant in his ministry, death, and resurrection. Lastly, we consider whether the christological passage in Philippians 2 depicts Christ Jesus taking the form o...
Mar 09, 2023•27 min•Ep. 269
This week's episode explores the third Isaianic Servant Song, located in Isaiah 50. This passage describes both the obedient nature of the servant to Yahweh, while also highlighting the ways in which he is rejected and humiliated by his peers. We then turn to the New Testament to note the impact that Isaiah 50 has had on the portrayal of Jesus as humiliated during his crucifixion, as one who is obedient to the only true God, and one who demonstrated nonviolent endurance. Please consider supporti...
Mar 02, 2023•27 min•Ep. 268
This week's episode of the Biblical Unitarian Podcast explores the second Isaianic Servant Song, located within Isaiah 49. This passage speaks of a servant created by Yahweh in the womb who has the destiny of restoring the children of Israel as well as being a light to the ends of the earth. We also take time to consider how the NT authors, especially Luke, the writer of Hebrews, and John the Revelator, draw heavily upon Isaiah 49 in their Christian portrayals of Jesus the Jewish messiah. Please...
Feb 23, 2023•28 min•Ep. 267
In the first of Isaiah's famous Servant Songs, the chosen servant of Yahweh has a spirit-enabled mission to be a covenant to the people and a light to the Gentiles. This episode explores the original meaning of this servant song and the ways it was adapted to illustrate Jesus Christ by the NT authors. 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.googl...
Feb 16, 2023•35 min•Ep. 266
This week's episode explores the ways in which Isaiah 28:16 and its portrayal of the cornerstone in Zion was interpreted in Judaism and early Christianity to refer to the son of God--the royal Messiah. 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/1wCRwiIcxioh7c-fX3KI7lrg0Zrb9JYdEciUAhlzcEeM/edit?usp=sharing Check out some of my v...
Feb 09, 2023•24 min•Ep. 265
This week's episode explores the "Branch" imagery used for the royal Davidic king within the Book of Isaiah. Our first reference illustrates this figure as a descendant of Jesse, David's father. We also look at a similar reference that associates this Branch with Yahweh, and in doing so, we examine the possible ways that this reference came to possess the characteristics of a bright shining star. Finally, we look into the New Testament to survey the manner in which Jesus is the Son of David, bea...
Feb 02, 2023•27 min•Ep. 264
This week's episode looks at the prophet Isaiah and his oracle concerning Immanuel. We explore the meaning of Immanuel in Isaiah's context and in Matthew's context. After considering the messianic relevance of Isaiah 7:14, we examine the meaning of "with us is God" in light of Matthew's Wisdom Christology. 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....
Jan 26, 2023•36 min•Ep. 263
This week's episode of the Biblical Unitarian Podcast asks if the erotic Song of Solomon had any influence on Jesus' self-understanding and on the NT portrayal of the Jewish Messiah. Our study looks for traces of influence of the Song of Solomon upon Jesus' role as the bridegroom and his interaction with two women in the Gospel of John. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks To view the notes from this episode please clic...
Jan 19, 2023•26 min•Ep. 262
This episode of the Biblical Unitarian Podcast explores how the Jewish sages portrayed personified wisdom alongside personified folly in Proverbs chapter 9. We then turn to note the many ways that this illustration of God's wisdom impacted the historical Jesus and the early Church in their messianic understandings, namely by seeing Jesus as the embodiment of Lady Wisdom. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks To view the ...
Jan 12, 2023•32 min•Ep. 261
Proverbs chapter eight contains the most heightened picture of personified wisdom within the Hebrew Bible. This episode of the Biblical Unitarian Podcast examines this chapter, discusses the portrayal of Lady Wisdom, and explores how the New Testament authors understood Jesus Christ as embodying many of personified wisdom's characteristics. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks To view the notes from this episode please ...
Jan 05, 2023•43 min•Ep. 260
Proverbs chapter three had a massive impact on Jesus himself and on the NT writers who portrayed him as the locus of God's wisdom. This episode of the Biblical Unitarian Podcast explores the portrayal of personified wisdom in Proverbs chapter three and notes many of her traits and qualities. Next, we turn to the New Testament to see six discernable ways in which Jesus functions as the embodiment of God's wisdom (without indicating that Jesus consciously preexisted his birth). We also speculate o...
Dec 29, 2022•34 min•Ep. 259
Little do most readers of the Bible know, the Book of Proverbs significantly shaped the way that the New Testament writers characterized Jesus Christ. This episode of the Biblical Unitarian Podcast explores the first chapter of Proverbs and its depiction of the wisdom of God as a personified female figure. After examining wisdom in Proverbs 1, we offer some suggestions on ways in which the chapter influenced the NT picture of the man Jesus Christ. We even discuss the nature of preexistence in te...
Dec 22, 2022•36 min•Ep. 258
Psalm 132 longs for a time when the Davidic kingship will be restored by God. This episode of the Biblical Unitarian Podcast looks at the contents of this oft-neglected psalm in order to better understand the implications behind the strong New Testament commitment to portraying Jesus as the Son of David. We will, furthermore, consider how this messianic title further defines the humanity of Jesus and his position within the human race. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects ...
Dec 15, 2022•27 min•Ep. 257
Psalm 118 was deeply influential upon the New Testament writers in portraying Jesus as the rejected Son of God, but originally it was a temple psalm that celebrated the battle fought by the psalmist. This episode of the Biblical Unitarian Podcast explores Psalm 118, first in its original context and then in the way it was used by the NT authors. We also explore the messianic pun with the stone and the son as well as the ways in which Jesus is portrayed as the agent of Yahweh because of this psal...
Dec 08, 2022•28 min•Ep. 256
Psalm 110 is arguably the most impactful passage upon New Testament Christology. This episode examines the psalm and its contents and discusses the differences between the two lords. Afterward, we explore some of the many ways in which the various New Testament authors portrayed Jesus Christ as the exalted lord at the right hand of Israel's God. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks To view the notes from this episode pl...
Dec 01, 2022•35 min•Ep. 255
This episode examines the messianic implications contained within Psalm 89--a psalm that expounds the Davidic covenant between Israel's God and the regent David. We explore how God shares his prerogatives and authority over the chaotic waters with the Davidic king and the vital relationship between the human king and God. Lastly, we look at the various ways in which Psalm 89 has impacted the messianic outlook of the NT authors. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donat...
Nov 24, 2022•34 min•Ep. 254
Psalm 72 impacted the expectation of the Israelite Messiah in many noteworthy ways. This episode of the Biblical Unitarian Podcast explores the contents of Psalm 72, notes how the human king is empowered by the God of Israel, and observes how the contents of the psalm shaped the messianic expectations in the Babylonian Talmud and in the New Testament, especially pertaining to the subject of preexistence. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.payp...
Nov 17, 2022•28 min•Ep. 253
Psalm 69 might not be the most popular psalm in the collection, but it was highly influential upon early Christians as they framed Jesus Christ as the crucified and risen messiah. This episode explores Psalm 69, examines the subject as a persecuted righteous person, and takes note of the relationship between the psalmist and the God of Israel. Then we turn to the many New Testament authors who drew upon Psalm 69 to illustrate Jesus, the church, and those who reject Jesus' gospel. Please consider...
Nov 10, 2022•32 min•Ep. 252
Psalm 45 proves to be yet another remarkable passage that inspired early interpreters in their understanding of the Messiah. This psalm is a love song sung towards the human king--a royal groom who is highly empowered by the God of Israel's attributes, prerogatives, and authority. This episode looks at three ways in which the Gospel of John draws upon Psalm 45 in order to portray Jesus Christ distinctively. Furthermore, we look at the citation from Psalm 45 in Hebrews chapter one, which addresse...
Nov 03, 2022•22 min•Ep. 251
This week's episode looks at Psalm 40 and the ways in which the New Testament authors drew upon this psalm to portray Jesus Christ as one who was faithful to God, resulting in the sacrificial death of Jesus. Psalm 40 illustrates the life of a faithful Israelite whose ear is opened to obeying the will of Yahweh, his God. This obedient orientation is highlighted in the psalm over the offering of various sacrifices. The Gospel of John picks up the theme of Jesus' obedience to God while the author o...
Oct 27, 2022•29 min•Ep. 250
Psalm 22 was a highly influential passage for early Christians as they tried to understand the death of Jesus as well as the God who delivered Jesus from the grave. This episode explores the impact that Psalm 22 had upon both the historical Jesus and the writers of the New Testament. In doing so, we observe how Jesus has a God, how Jesus is a genuine human being, and how God delivered Jesus from the crisis of death. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: http...
Oct 21, 2022•26 min•Ep. 249
This week's episode examines the contents of Psalm 16 and the ways in which it influences the NT author's christological understanding of Jesus. While the psalm originally petitioned God for protection from death, the writers of the New Testament saw an application in the death and resurrection of Jesus--the Holy One of God. We explore how the psalm addresses and understands God, how the psalm highlights Jesus' full humanity, and the relationship between Jesus and the God of Israel. Please consi...
Oct 13, 2022•23 min•Ep. 248
As we turn to Psalm 8 in order to explore how it shaped the messianic expectations of early Jews and Christians, we note in this episode the various ways in which the passage draws upon Genesis 1 and its portrayal of the creator God and Adam. We also look into the ways in which Yahweh shares his privileges and prerogatives with human beings, as well as the ways in which God has done the very same with Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Lastly, we look at two prominent authors who cite Psalm 8 in...
Oct 06, 2022•29 min•Ep. 247
This week's episode explores the highly influential Psalm 2. This psalm introduces "the Christ" as Yahweh's anointed king, the son of God. These titles proved to be impactful to early Christians in their understanding of Jesus, his role, and his relationship with the God of Israel. After exploring Psalm 2 in its original context, we look at three significant ways in which Psalm 2 reappears in the pages of the New Testament and what it means for our understanding of God and Jesus. Please consider...
Sep 29, 2022•31 min•Ep. 246
The Davidic covenant is arguably the most influential OT passage for New Testament Christology. This episode explores the contents of God's treaty with King David, examines the qualifications of David's royal descendants, looks into how the biblical chronicler understood this covenant, before turning to the New Testament to get a glimpse at some of the ways in which Jesus Christ is portrayed as the rightful heir of the covenant promises. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future project...
Sep 22, 2022•27 min•Ep. 245
This week's episode explores the "Prophet like Moses" from Deuteronomy. This authorized and empowered spokesman for God is a member of the children of Israel (i.e., a human being), a bearer of the words of Yahweh, and one who speaks in God's name. There is evidence that the author of 1 Maccabees still looked forward to this highly authorized prophet. The New Testament, particularly the Gospel of John and the Book of Acts, attributes the role of this prophet to Jesus Christ, making him the Israel...
Sep 15, 2022•26 min•Ep. 244
In our ongoing study of messianic references within the Hebrew Bible, we explore Numbers 24:17, which speaks of a promised star and scepter coming forth from Jacob. We look at how Jews understood, interpreted, and applied this passage before we make some suggestions about how the NT authors might have attributed this reference to Jesus Christ. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks To view the notes from this episode plea...
Sep 08, 2022•22 min•Ep. 243
In this week's episode, we explore the messianic implications of the promised Lion from the Tribe of Judah. We look closely at this figure, noting his worthiness to be worshipped, his royal status as a king, and his warrior imagery likened unto a lion. Furthermore, we ask what might the reference to Shiloh mean by discussing scholarly views on this strange phrase. Then we explore how the NT authors depict Jesus as the lineal human descendant of Judah, and even the Book of Revelation calls Jesus ...
Sep 01, 2022•28 min•Ep. 242
Who is the promised seed of Abraham? Is Abraham's seed a reference to his family or to the promised Jewish messiah? This episode explores the messianic prophecy concerning the seed of Abraham, looking at the original basis for the promise, the ways in which NT authors interpret the "seed of Abraham," and the implications for Jesus' genuine humanity as a member of Abraham's promised family. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintrut...
Aug 25, 2022•29 min•Ep. 241
