The Biblical Unitarian Podcast

In the Gospel of John, there is a narrative device that scholars call the theme of misunderstanding. This episode will introduce the theme, explain how it functions, talk about what scholars have to say about it, and examine it in a test case involving Jesus and the temple to be destroyed and raised. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/...

This episode continues the topic from the previous week, which sought to examine how the one true God is portrayed as a single person in passages of the New Testament that are not typically considered in these sorts of discussions. This episode will explore passages from 2 Corinthians to the Book of Revelation where God is portrayed by the biblical authors as a single self, one person.  Please con...

In the Greek New Testament, there are many ways in which the true God is portrayed as a single person. While it is common to point to verses stressing God’s oneness and the Shema, there are other ways in which the Greek expresses this important truth. This week’s episode will begin to explore how independent pronouns–both reflective and intensive–are used to highlight the clear fact that God is on...

This episode offers reflections from four years of podcasting in the form of ten tips for exploring, seeking, teaching, and discerning truth as we aim to honor the one true God and his human son, 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 please cl...

In our 200th episode, we listen to the closing statements from the recent debate on the Unitarian God in the Old Testament, I then bring on Brandon Duke to interview regarding the debate, the arguments therein, and whether there should be further debates in the future. If you would like to see the debate in its entirety, follow this link: https://youtu.be/b0t90eJe0q4   Please consider supporting t...

In this episode, we listen to the second cross-examination portion of the recent debate entitled, "Does the Old Testament Teach Unitarianism?". I offer my hindsight reactions and perspectives on the ways in which Kelly Powers answered my questions, discuss what his answers say about the strength of his case, and offer my feelings about declaring a winner of the debate. You can watch the debate in...

This week's episode will focus on the first cross-examination portion of the recent debate "Does the Old Testament Teach Unitarianism?". I also offer some personal reactions to the answers revealed in the cross-examination as well as assess the strength of the opposition position. You can find the entire debate video here: https://youtu.be/b0t90eJe0q4   Please consider supporting this Podcast and...

This episode explores the rebuttal phase of the recent debate entitled, "Does the Old Testament Teach Unitarianism?". I offer my insider strategies for preparing for a rebuttal as well as share my reactions to my opponent's attempt to rebut my opening statement. You can watch the debate in its entirety here: https://youtu.be/b0t90eJe0q4   Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects...

This episode will feature the opening statements of my recent debate on the topic "Does the Old Testament Teach Unitarianism?" with Kelly Powers. I open by discussing my reasons for organizing my opening statement in the manner that I did, my overarching strategy, and a few of my observations. You can watch the debate in its entirety here: https://youtu.be/b0t90eJe0q4    Please consider supporting...

The author of Hebrews offers a unique contribution to New Testament theology by portraying Jesus as the high priest. This episode explores the theology surrounding Jesus' high priesthood, looking at how the author of Hebrews understands this role and its wider purposes. We also discuss how Jesus came to inherit the position, the ways in which Jesus is qualified, how Jesus' priesthood is superior t...

The latter part of Hebrew chapter 2 is one of the Bible's most persuasive and extended arguments for Jesus' humanity. The passage cites two quotations from the Old Testament in order to demonstrate that Jesus has human brothers and sisters. It argues that Jesus was likened to human beings in all things, including mortality, ability to be tempted, and possessing a faithful relationship with God. We...

The grammatically ambiguous reference to the number one in Hebrews 2:11 opens the door for two competing interpretations, both with significant implications for Biblical Unitarians. Does the passage indicate that Jesus and the believers all derive from a single creator--the Father alone? Or did the author of Hebrews intend to portray Jesus as sharing the same humanity as believers? This episode wi...

Although Psalm 8 is cited and alluded to frequently in the New Testament, Biblical Unitarians have only seldom used it in their portrayals of Jesus. This episode looks at Hebrews chapter 2 and its use of Psalm 8 in order to better understand its Christological impact. We discuss the differences between the Hebrew version and the Greek version of Psalm 8, the meaning of the phrase "He made him lowe...

Hebrews 1:10-12 is one of the most difficult passages for Biblical Unitarians, especially in light of its apparent designation of Jesus as the creator of the heavens and the earth. This episode offers a few suggestions on ways in which the text probably was intended to be understood by the author of Hebrews, focusing specifically on the precise wording of the citation from Psalm 102, the ongoing a...

Hebrews 1:6 presents some interesting interpretive issues for such a lesser-known passage. We discuss the meaning of the "world" where God led Jesus (and whether this was the first time or the second time this has occurred). We also explore the meaning of "firstborn" in the current argument between Jesus' status and that of the heavenly angels. We also look into how the heavenly realm is framed in...

Hebrews 1:5 cites two passages from the Old Testament that both speak about God becoming the Father of the Son. Some have interpreted these passages in light of the argument in the Book of Hebrews to refer to Jesus' birth, where Jesus came into existence. Others have suggested that these quotations are referring to Jesus' baptism or even his resurrection/exaltation. This episode discusses the meri...

In this episode, we explore whether the author of the Book of Hebrews teaches Wisdom Christology in the opening three verses. We give an honest listen to what other scholars are saying about this possibility, we interact with modern objections, we look at the evidence for allusions to personified wisdom, and discuss the possibility of typology as the probable relationship between wisdom and Jesus....

As we begin our study of the Book of Hebrews, we need to identify the main actors--God and Jesus. This episode looks at the person of God, his roles, and the ways in which he interacts with his creation. We also look at Jesus, the various ways he is described, and the difficult passages involving him. Lastly, we explore how God and Jesus interact and are distinguished throughout the Book of Hebrew...

This episode explores the history, language, and persons involved in the transmission of the Johannine Comma, which is the textual corruption of 1 John 5:7-8 that mentions the oneness of the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit. The facts presented are organized into ten points. Please consider supporting this Podcast and future projects by donating at: https://www.paypal.me/10mintruthtalks      ...

As we wrap up our study of Pauline Yahweh texts for Jesus, we look at 1 Cor 10:26, 2 Cor 3:16-17, and the future "day of the Lord." David Capes, a leading scholar in the field of early high Christology, argues that these passages clearly indicate that Jesus is the referent to OT Yahweh texts. This episode looks closely at each of these passages, their OT counterparts, and suggests that Dr Capes is...

As we continue to understand how Paul uses OT Yahweh passages for Jesus, we note that Paul cites Jer. 9:24 in both 1 Cor. 1:31 and 2 Cor. 10:17. Yet Paul's intent does not seem Christological in either instance. Furthermore, we explore Paul's quotation of Isa. 40:13 for both the Father and for Jesus (allegedly). While it is ultimately concluded that Paul does occasionally cite Yahweh passages for...

This week's episode continues to explore the ways in which Paul cites OT Yahweh passages for Christ (and for God). We note that Paul is flexible with some of his quotations, demonstrating that the original referent in the OT citation can come to have a new referent in Paul's letters. We also explore a passage that David Capes, a leading scholar in the field of early high Christology, argues is a O...

In this episode, we begin exploring how the Apostle Paul used OT YHWH texts for both God and for Jesus. We note how Philippians 2 indicates that God has shared the divine name with the risen and exalted Jesus. We also see another passage referring to Jesus' lordship that indicates that he possesses the shared divine name, which Paul indicates with a YHWH citation from the Old Testament. Lastly, we...

The New Testament authors felt comfortable using Yahweh texts from the Hebrew Bible for the human Jesus. Some scholars have concluded that this data indicates that the NT authors identified Jesus as Yahweh, but this is problematic for many reasons. This episode will introduce the concept of OT Yahweh passages used in the NT for Jesus, looking at some examples as well as some helpful parallels in s...

This episode closely studies Titus 2:13--a passage that is often used to suggest Jesus Christ is called "God." Titus 2:13 is a well-known ambiguous passage when it comes to the Greek, and it is certainly possible that Jesus is distinguished from the great God (i.e., the Father). This episode will look at both interpretations, examine the strengths of their arguments, and offer a nuanced reading th...