The Biblical Unitarian Podcast

In this episode, we explore how the concept of God's "word" (Aramaic: "memra") is used in Targum Neofiti. After surveying the four ways in which this Aramaic Targum interprets the activity of the God of Israel in light of his word/memra, we turn to the prologue of John's Gospel (John 1:1-18) in order to see how the context created by Neofiti's use of word/memra helps us better understand God and h...

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...

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. Las...

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...

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/10...

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 ref...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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 reall...

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...

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 si...

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 spe...

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...

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 a...

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...

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 suppor...

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 tho...

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...

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 Pod...

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 fu...

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...

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 pract...