Restitutio

This is part 7 of the One God Over All class.

In the bible we encounter a strange phenomenon. Sometimes beings other than Yahweh are called Gods. How can we square that with monotheism–the idea that the Father is the only true God? Although most Christians are aware that the bible calls Jesus God a couple of times, most have never noticed that the scriptures also use the term for Moses, angels, judges of Israel, the divine council, and the king of Israel. What do all of these individuals have in common? They are all agents commissioned to do God’s will on earth. In this episode we’ll explore the principle of agency so we can better understand Jesus’ role as God’s supreme representative.

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This is part 6 of the One God Over All class.

The bible routinely recognizes the subordination of the Son to his Father. Throughout his ministry on earth, Jesus repeatedly and unapologetically taught, "The Father is greater than I" (John 14.28). Further, after his exaltation, Jesus remains dependent on the Father as his superior (1 Cor 11.3). Then, even once the age to come arrives, the Son will remain in subjection to the Father forever (1 Cor 15.28). In addition to covering many of these subordination texts, we'll also consider what Jesus meant when he said "I and my Father are one" in John 10.30 and overview some of the possibilities for interpreting John 1.1.

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https://youtu.be/zsCh3iIGDaI

The Father planned salvation, commissioned his Son, authorized him as his agent, empowered him with miraculous powers, guided him in his ministry, provided him the words to speak, instructed him to give his life, raised him from the dead, elevated him to his right hand, poured out the spirit through him, appointed him a priest to intercede in his heavenly ministry, and will one day send him back to restore our world. Then, when the end comes, he will turn everything back over to his Father so that God may be all in all. The Father is the supreme authority who directs his subordinate Son to do the work of salvation. From the Son we see a loyal and loving heart, willing to heroically obey his Father even when it costs everything. He provides the quintessential model for what humanity can be when totally dependent on God.

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This is part 5 of the One God Over All class.

Last time we looked at what Jesus taught about God. Although this class is called "One God Over All," it's also important for us to talk about Jesus. If the Father alone is the one God over all, then what does that mean about Jesus? Who is he? We're going to take the next few sessions to explore what the bible teaches about Jesus. Today our focus is on his primary title--Messiah. In addition we'll briefly look at John 8.58 and whether or not Jesus claimed to be "The Great I AM."

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQbyTyKpuJc&list=PLN9jFDsS3QV0lS6ELFoLnZovP0NKxqTGG&index=5

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This is part 4 of the One God Over All class.

Today we enter the New Testament and ask the question, “What did Jesus believe about God?” After all, whatever Jesus said on the matter is primary for us as Christ-followers, right? As it turns out, Jesus not only believed the Shema, but strongly endorsed it as his core understanding of what’s most important! Furthermore, he repeatedly spoke of the Father as “my God.”  We’ll also engage with the ideas of “compound unity” as well as “splitting the Shema.”

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This is part 3 of the One God Over All class.

Yahweh is particularly sensitive about fidelity.  He wants his people to be solely devoted to him; he’s not content to share them with other gods. Century after century, when Israel strayed from him, Yahweh sent prophets to confront his people.  Eventually, he could not abide their treachery and he took drastic measures, removing them from the land. We’ll cover this tragic history and how God cured his people from their idolatry addiction.  Lastly, we’ll cover Isaiah 7.14 and 9.6–two texts that some allege teach that a coming child would be God.

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This is part 2 of the One God Over All class.

This class is all about who God is. That Yahweh is our God and that Yahweh is one are truths we must take to heart if we want to think biblically about God. Today we'll continue our march through the Hebrew Bible, stopping to see how God reveals himself through his ten commandments, the golden calf incident, and the Shema creed. Although the Shema teaches that "Yahweh is one," some have interpreted the Hebrew word "echad" (translated "one") to mean "compound unity." Fortunately, we can easily dispel this misunderstanding by consulting a standard Hebrew lexicon (HALOT). Not only will this episode introduce you to the Shema, but you'll also learn about the remarkable Jewish legacy of integrating this creed into their daily lives.

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

https://youtu.be/heWcstW7oeI

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Today we are starting a brand new class called "One God Over All!"  My plan is to work through scripture to build a biblical theology of the one true God and his Son, Jesus the Messiah. This class will cover both texts supporting God's exclusive oneness as well as misunderstood verses that seem to teach otherwise.  Additionally, we will briefly explore how Christian theology developed from the New Testament period to the Trinity's full articulation at the Council of Constantinople in a.d. 381.

This is part 1 of the One God Over All class.

Who is God?  Let's begin in the beginning with Genesis 1.1. We encounter the word elohim and ask ourselves, "What does this word mean?" and "Why is it plural?"  Even more to the point, was this what ancient readers would have fixated upon?  In this first class session you'll learn all about the word elohim, what God's name is, and how singular and plural pronouns tell us how many God is.

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https://youtu.be/tSO106waGnA

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Have you heard about the upcoming Unitarian Christian Alliance conference (or as I like to call it, UCA-con)?  It's going to happen next month from October 15-17.  My guest today is Dr. Dale Tuggy, the chairman of the board of the UCA.  Listen in as he discusses what's on the docket for our inaugural UCA conference as well as a teaser for what he will be saying about John 1 in his presentation.  (By the way, if any of you Restitutio listeners make it to the conference, stop by and say "hello" and get your free Restitutio sticker while supplies last.)  We also spend some time talking about the newest UCA publication, a reprint of an interesting book by Thomas Emlyn from the year 1702.  Dale Tuggy and Kegan Chandler worked hard to modernize the old English, provide lots of helpful footnotes, and include an excellent introduction.

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

https://youtu.be/lFPjQDRfG3g

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When was the last time you heard a sermon about singleness?  Married people have lots of sermons, classes, books, and conferences dedicated to them, but singles are largely ignored.  Today, Matthew Elton, himself a single millennial, shares what Jesus and Paul have to teach us about the incredible advantages of singleness for God's people.  Far from second class citizens, singles have much to offer the body of Christ.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZqXEJw4u7Y

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Nearly a year ago, I interviewed Pastor Jeff Deuble from Sydney, Australia about his journey of discovering the genuine Jesus of the first century.  At the close of that interview, he mentioned that he had written a book that makes a case for his understanding of the biblical Christ.  Well, I’m happy to say that this book is now available, published by Living Hope International Ministries.  In what follows, I ask Deuble about the content, purpose, and tone of the book.

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