The Biblical Unitarian Podcast

Origen of Alexandria was a famous Middle Platonist who introduced the idea of the Son's eternal generation, but did he believe in the doctrine of the Trinity? This week's episode examines what Origen believed and taught about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In short, no, Origen was not a trinitarian, and he was highly criticized by later trinitarians for his beliefs. He was a Platonically influe...

What does Jesus mean when he speaks of the preexistent glory that he possessed with the only true God before the world existed? How does wisdom christology shed much-needed light on this disputed passage? This week's episode explores John 17:5 and reveals that it has nothing to do with conscious preexistence at all. To view the video version of this episode, go here: https://youtu.be/lJ7qd4eC0W4  ...

What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, and why did Jesus say that it was unforgivable? This week’s episode examines the context of the controversy, particularly the accusations hurled at Jesus, who admits to casting out demons by the power of the Spirit. The Father empowered Jesus with the Spirit at his baptism, so to speak against the Spirit is to speak against the Most High God himself. To vi...

Within the Bible, the God of Israel shares his unique privileges, prerogatives, titles, name, and even his glory with his human agents. Some readers of Isaiah, however, are convinced that Yahweh never shares his glory with anyone at all. In this week’s episode, we will explore how the God of Israel glorifies his human agents, including Jesus Christ. To view the video version of this episode, go he...

Theodotus of Byzantium was a second-century teacher who came to Rome around 190 AD. Bishop Victor I of Rome excommunicated him for teaching that Christ was a man. Drawing on comments from his opponents, this episode reconstructs what Theodotus believed about God and Jesus Christ. It turns out Theodotus was a biblical unitarian. To view the video version of this episode, go here: https://youtu.be/-...

On August 29, 2026, Dr. George Antonios (affirmative) debated Dr. Dustin R. Smith (denying) on the topic "Is the Doctrine of the Trinity Taught in the Bible?" This was a respectful and cordial debate, resulting in the conclusion that, no, the doctrine is not explicitly taught by the biblical authors. BIO Dustin R. Smith, PhD, is a New Testament scholar at Spartanburg Methodist College. His researc...

This week’s episode demonstrates how God shares his divine name (YHWH) with his authorized agents. These agents include heavenly angelic beings, the human Messiah, and even the physical city of Jerusalem. We also explore how other Jewish texts express their acceptance and agreement with the principle of agency. Jesus can be called Yahweh in his role as Yahweh's agent, without being identified as Y...

This episode explores the development of Christology, beginning with the subordinate human Messiah taught by the New Testament authors and culminating in the coequal second member of the Trinity, who has two natures (from the fifth century). The Chalcedonian creed of 451 AD is not the doctrine of God and Christ presented by the biblical authors. To view the video version of this episode, go here:...

This presentation explores how the Book of Revelation portrays the Lamb as God's highly empowered and highly authorized agent. This high Lamb Christology nevertheless regards the one seated upon the throne as the God and Father of the Lamb. To view the video version of this episode, go here: https://youtu.be/KOtVeqSDqHU           Link to information about my Fall 2026 Intro to New Testament Greek...

Does Jesus Christ possess the divine attribute of eternality? This week's episode contrasts Yahweh's eternality with Jesus Christ, who was created by God. The New Testament repeatedly affirms that Jesus came into existence in Mary's womb. God is uncreated, but the Son was brought into existence, proving he is not fully God. To view the video version of this episode, go here: https://youtu.be/-1T_L...

Does Jesus Christ innately possess the divine attribute of immortality? This week's episode contrasts Yahweh's innate immortality (the inability to die) with Jesus Christ, who gave himself up to die on the cross. Jesus did something God cannot do: stop living. God gave Jesus immortality at the resurrection, but the Son is not innately immortal, proving he is not fully God. To view the video versio...

Does Jesus Christ possess the divine attribute of impassibility? This week's episode contrasts Yahweh's impassibility (the inability to suffer) with Jesus Christ, who suffered, bled, and died on the cross. Christ plainly taught that he would suffer, and he showed his wounds after his resurrection. The Son is not impassible. To view the video version of this episode, go here: https://youtu.be/mkcUO...

Does Jesus Christ possess the divine attributes of immutability and aseity? This week's episode contrasts Yahweh's immutability with Jesus Christ's repeated acts of changing. Christ plainly taught that he was not a se, meaning he was not an eternal Son. Despite God granting Jesus unending life at the resurrection, the Son is neither immutable nor possessed of aseity. To view the video version of t...

Does Jesus Christ possess the divine attribute of omniscience? This week's episode contrasts Yahweh's all-knowingness with Jesus Christ's repeated portrayal as lacking omniscience. Christ increased in wisdom, he was taught by God, he learned obedience, and he admitted his ignorance of the day and hour of the second coming. Despite God highly empowering the Son, the Son is not all-knowing. To view...

Does Jesus Christ possess the divine attribute of omnipotence? This episode examines how the biblical authors portray God as the all-powerful Almighty One, while never illustrating Jesus as his omnipotent equal. In fact, Christ often spoke about his inability to do things apart from God's leading and authority. Despite God highly empowering the Son, the Son remains subject to God. To view the vide...

First Peter 3:18 states that Christ was "put to death in the flesh." Does this language hint at the possibility that Jesus only partially died (i.e., in his flesh) while another unnamed part (or nature) continued living? This episode explores the meaning of Jesus' death in the flesh to determine whether Jesus is a God-man possessing two natures. Spoiler alert: he isn't. To view the video version o...

John chapter 6 presents Jesus as the bread from heaven, the Son of Man who offers life to those who partake of his bread and wine. The episode grounds the Bread of Life discourse in its Jewish context—personified Wisdom in Proverbs, the Son of Man indwelt by heavenly Wisdom in 1 Enoch, and Philo’s view of manna as Wisdom—showing that the Son of Man preexists as personified Wisdom/Word rather than...

In this episode, we examine a striking shift in biblical scholarship: fewer and fewer experts now affirm that Jesus is the only true God. I compare two major surveys published in 2025 that reveal the same trend among everyday American Bible readers — a clear majority no longer believe Jesus is God. At the same time, interest in Unitarianism is surging. To view the video version of this episode, go...

While many interpreters see Isaiah 9:6 as a prediction of the birth of Jesus Christ, in its original context, the passage actually described King Hezekiah. This episode offers five arguments for reading this oracle concerning the Prince of Peace in terms of Hezekiah and his just reign in the 8th century BC. To view the video version of this episode, go here: https://youtu.be/OBcDrersqLA          ...

This episode explores the language and meaning behind the fullness of God dwelling in Christ (Col 1:19). Beginning by setting the verse in its context of Wisdom Christology, we turn to examine the verse's often-overlooked origins in Psalm 68:16. Finally, we look at Sirach's portrayal of God sending his wisdom to dwell in the temple, specifically by becoming incarnate in Simon the high priest. The...

In this episode, I explain why I changed my mind on the timing of John 1:14, where the word became flesh. Although it is popular to assume that this occurred at Jesus' birth, a compelling case can be made that it took place at Jesus' baptism by John. We discuss that evidence in this week's episode. To view the video version of this episode, go here: https://youtu.be/OIcKBNVfDdg                    ...

In Romans 10:13, Paul cites a passage about calling on the name of Yahweh, and he applies it to believers calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Does Paul intend with this quotation to identify Christ as Yahweh? No. This episode explores the nature of the quotation, how Christ is "Lord," and God's identity in Romans. To view the video version of this episode, go here: https://youtu.be/kwNTn...

First John is one of the best examples of unitarian theology in the New Testament. This episode examines how the Elder who composed 1 John and his recipients agree that God is one person, the Father alone. Christ is portrayed as the son of the one true God, and the Spirit is illustrated as God's own personal presence. First John is inconsistent with the doctrine of the Trinity. To view the video v...

The biblical authors frequently personify God's attributes. This episode discusses the concept of personification, focusing on a dozen examples of the Father's personified attributes. We also discuss the pitfalls of reading personification incorrectly as real persons alongside the Father. To view the video version of this episode, go here: https://youtu.be/csQr-V00snA                  Visit Amazon...

To whom does Revelation 22:3 illustrate as receiving the highest form of worship, God or the Lamb? This episode explores this grammatically ambiguous passage by situating it within the broader theology of the Book of Revelation. We demonstrate that "latreuo" is intended for God alone. To view the video version of this episode, go here: https://youtu.be/csQr-V00snA                  Visit Amazon to...