The Biblical Unitarian Podcast

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...

Although Jesus is the Son of God in light of his begetting by the Father, the four New Testament gospels also attribute "Son of God" as a title to Jesus at his baptism. At this baptism, John the Baptist immerses Jesus in water and the Spirit descends to anoint Jesus for his royal messianic task. The voice from heaven confirms that the newly appointed Jesus is the royal Son of God. This episode exa...

Having noted that New Testament authors depict Jesus as "Son of God" in distinct ways, we set out to further explore how this designation relates to Jesus' birth. In this episode, we look at how prominent New Testament authors (Matthew, Luke, Paul) portray Jesus' moment of conception in terms of him being the Son of God. We also explore the implications for the preexistence of Jesus as well as the...

New Testament authors regularly portray Jesus Christ as the Son of God. However, not all manners of designating Jesus with this vital description are alike. This episode introduces the various ways in which Jesus is the Son of God in the New Testament by examining the writings of Luke (Gospel of Luke and Acts of the Apostles) to see how one author seems to comfortably regard Jesus as the Son of Go...

This episode examines the NT to see if its authors reimagined the God of Israel or reaffirmed him as he is portrayed in the Hebrew Bible.  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/1wnQtcz3R44WIPa3-LzRduFSjgzK48ETSFJdmDXaF...

This week's episode explores the popular noun Adonai as it describes the God of Israel. We define its meaning and show how its form is plural but singular in function. We then look at biblical examples to demonstrate that the authors of the Hebrew Bible employed the title Adonai to depict God as a single person. We also examine whether Adonai is a plural of majesty word and why that is noteworthy....

After Yahweh, the Hebrew word elohim is the most common noun in the Hebrew Bible. This episode explores the word elohim in its relation to the one true God of Israel. We examine the meaning of the plural form and ask what this means when referencing the Israelite God regularly defined as a single person. We also explore the grammatical concept called the "plural of majesty" and look at how it pert...

The true God has a name, and that name is Yahweh. This episode explores the person of Yahweh and the ways in which he is portrayed in the Hebrew Bible. We examine if "Yahweh" is even the correct pronunciation of the divine name. We also seek to understand if Yahweh is depicted as the Father alone or if he is a multi-personal God. Lastly, we explore the ways in which Yahweh is differentiated from t...

In this final episode dealing with the instances of misunderstanding in the Fourth Gospel, we see Jesus telling his disciples about the forthcoming time of grief when he will be taken away followed by a time of joy. Some of the disciples deliberate as to what Jesus means with this cryptic saying. This results in Jesus clarifying the misunderstanding in a manner that redirects readers forward into...

In this week's episode, we explore the confusion surrounding the role and function of the Jewish agent. Jesus tells his disciples in John chapter 14 that they have known and seen the Father, but what Jesus really means is that he himself has been acting as the Father's authorized agent all this time. We also examine some of the ways in which the Gospel of John portrays Jesus as the definitive agen...

In this episode, we explore the misunderstanding that arises when Jesus speaks about the way to the Father. Thomas, a well-known doubter, fails to grasp that Jesus is speaking about himself as the way. When Jesus clarifies the misunderstanding of Thomas, he claims to be the definitive way to the Father, following with an equal claim of being the truth and the life. We explore what these characteri...

In this week's episode, we explore the conversation on the topic of discipleship that takes place between Jesus and Peter. Peter, who makes a bold statement about his commitment to following Jesus without counting the costs of discipleship, misunderstands Jesus and ends up denying him three times shortly thereafter. This episode also examines what it means for Jesus to be glorified as a martyr, wh...

In John 12, Jesus declares himself to be the Son of Man who will be lifted up in a manner that causes confusion among the crowds. They fail to understand how the messianic Son of Man--who is supposed to remain forever according to Jewish theology--will be lifted away. Jesus, however, is speaking about his impending death when he will be lifted up on the cross to both die and be glorified. This epi...

In yet another example of the Johannine theme of misunderstanding, Jesus speaks about Lazarus rising from the grave in a way that raises the question of timing and the identity of the one who is to perform this miracle. In this episode, we look at how Martha misunderstands Jesus and the manner in which Jesus corrects her confusion. We also explore the Christological significance of Jesus' self-dec...