The Biblical Unitarian Podcast

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...

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 p...

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 messi...

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 preexi...

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 dre...

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 dist...

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 var...

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 t...

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 hig...

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...

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...

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 th...

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 J...

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 pro...

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 author...

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...

In a new series exploring the contents of various messianic prophecies within the Hebrew Bible, we begin with the so-called Protoevangelion in Gen. 3:15. We discuss the potential meanings of the woman's seed as well as the serpent's seed. Afterward, we look into the New Testament to see how its authors draw influence from Gen. 3:15 in various ways. We also try to figure out when exactly was this p...

The prophet Jeremiah apparently designates the promised Davidic king as bearing the name Yahweh. This episode explores what this means in light of the Davidic king's humanity, the manner in which God invests the king with prerogatives and privileges, the practice of giving new throne names to kings, and the promise of reversal of fortunes that the Davidic king will bring to the state of affairs le...

The noun "mediator" appears six times in the New Testament, most famously in 1 Tim 2:5, which depicts the human being Jesus as the mediator between the one God and humanity. Modern definitions of a mediator include a person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict come to an agreement; a moderator, a counselor. But what did "mediator" mean when these texts were written in the first centu...

In Hebrews 13:8, we read that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. What exactly does it mean? Theologians on the internet are convinced that refers to Jesus' ontological immutability with the Father, according to the post-biblical creeds. This week's episode will explore this passage and seek to understand how this passage is true while still acknowledging that Jesus was born,...

Who is Melchizedek, King of Salem? Some have argued that this figure from Genesis 14 is actually a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son of God. This week's episode will explore the enigmatic figure of Melchizedek by examining all of his appearances in Scripture in order to better understand his relationship with the High Priest Jesus Christ. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projec...

In John chapter 12, two citations from Isaiah are offered to explain the rejection of Jesus' signs. Many have argued that the citations from Isaiah also prove that Isaiah saw Jesus consciously preexisting in his visions. This episode explores the two quotations from Isaiah in order to determine their function in John 12 and the manner in which Jesus' glory is portrayed therein.   Please consider s...

There is no denying that the New Testament authors portrayed Jesus in terms drawn from Isaiah's Suffering Servant. It is rarely asked, however, who the servant figure is according to Isaiah and how this figure came to be identified with the human Jesus. This episode explores the Isaianic Suffering Servant, its identification, and the ways in which the Gospel of Matthew incorporates these themes in...

Is a human being sufficient to atone for the sins of humanity? In this week's episode, we explore how the New Testament authors portray Jesus as man--a member of the human race--who adequately atones for the sins of the world.  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...

While New Testament authors portray Jesus as the Son of God in light of his birth and baptism, the resurrection-exaltation to God's right hand confirms this Christology. This week's episode explores how two NT authors (Luke and Paul) employ "Son of God" language to highlight Jesus' resurrection and exalted status, without taking anything away from the birth and baptism emphases.  Please consider s...