The Biblical Unitarian Podcast

Do the biblical authors mention the existence of other gods besides the Father—the Most High God? This week's episode explores how Yahweh, the God of Israel, is portrayed as the "God of gods" among the divine council of the heavenly angelic host. We consider whether monotheism (there is only one God) or monolatry (only one God is to be worshipped) best describes the biblical authors.

To view the video version of this episode, go here:

https://youtu.be/vmBzw_7vjVs                          

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Theophilus of Antioch was a second-century bishop who was the very first Christian to use the word 'Trinity" in his writings. Does that mean that Bishop Theophilus was a Trinitarian before Nicaea? This week's episode explores what Theophilus of Antioch believed about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, concluding that he did not, in fact, believe that the God of Israel was triune in nature. Instead, Theophilus regarded the Father alone as the true God.

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https://youtu.be/iSNxS7rnoXQ                         

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In this week’s episode, we look at the various ways biblical authors expressed worship, particularly the objects of their worship. We will see how the Father is worshiped, how the Son is worshiped, and how worship can be rightly given to qualified human beings. We even consider whether the Holy Spirit is worshiped and whether all three (Father, Son, and Spirit) appear as a single object of worship.

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https://youtu.be/Xov8A6_RkAM                         

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Zechariah 12:10 says Yahweh himself was pierced. How did the prophet intend his readers to understand this imagery, and what do we make of the passage being reapplied to the death of Jesus, Yahweh's Son? This episode explores the meaning of Yahweh's piercing, the Jewish messianic reading of the passage, and how the Gospel of John and Revelation reused it for completely new purposes.

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https://youtu.be/dXc-6c9vT8M                        

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Does Jesus Christ have two natures: a divine nature he has always possessed and a human nature he assumed at his birth? In other words, is Jesus 100% God and 100% man? Romans 1:3 states that Jesus was born from the seed of David according to the flesh. In this week’s episode, we will look closely at Romans 1:3 to discuss the birth of the Son of God, which has nothing to do with a preexistent Son coming down from heaven and assuming human nature.

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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 influenced subordinationist who believed the true God was the Father alone.

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https://youtu.be/K7UUqblAUbM                      

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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.

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https://youtu.be/lJ7qd4eC0W4                     

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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.

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https://youtu.be/-LcDsseUlsU                    

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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 here:

https://youtu.be/eKjnrqrW-hU                    

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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/-soZpck5hIk                   

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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 research interests include early Christian unitarianism, high human christology, the Gospel of John, 1–3 John, and the Book of Revelation.

LATEST PUBLICATIONS
A Systematic Theology of the Early Church: https://amzn.to...

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 Yahweh himself.

To view the video version of this episode, go here:

https://youtu.be/e49CxtPklWw           

Link to information about my Fall 2026 Intro to New Testament Greek Online c...

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:

https://youtu.be/xsN5D8nJ0JU          

Link to information about my Fall 2026 Intro to New Testament Greek Online course: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pTvc...

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 Online course: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pTvcdofRw7SmF49rKfjlwQAgQY31xMAYrQIii5klqL8/edit?usp=sharing            

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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_LG3IiFU        

Link to information about my Fall 2026 Intro to New Testament Greek Online course: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pTvcdofRw7SmF49rKfjlw...

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 version of this episode, go here:

https://youtu.be/DfK4K9ThkJk       

Link to information about my Fall 2026 Intro to New Testament Greek Online course: 

https...

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/mkcUOwtRVW8       

Link to information about my Fall 2026 Intro to New Testament Greek Online course: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pTvcdofRw7SmF49rKfjlwQAgQY31xMAYrQIii5klqL8/edit?usp=shari...

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 this episode, go here:

https://youtu.be/yscub5ywfW8      

Link to information of my Fall 2026 Intro to New Testament Greek Online course: 

https://docs.google.com/docum...

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 the video version of this episode, go here:

https://youtu.be/1I-m1Ib1fOM     

Link to information of my Fall 2026 Intro to New Testament Greek Online course: 

https://docs...

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 video version of this episode, go here:

https://youtu.be/AbIY6nQFV5o                        

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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.

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https://youtu.be/yp2LAuFgAX0                       

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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 as a conscious person. 

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https://youtu.be/BavTfHYkxto                      

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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.

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https://youtu.be/T8JAgnMkDbw                     

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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.

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https://youtu.be/OBcDrersqLA                     

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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 result is a christologically-rich illustration of Jesus, the climactic embodiment of God's wisdom.

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https://youtu.be/Xe7L4mbeAN4                    

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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.

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https://youtu.be/OIcKBNVfDdg                   

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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.

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https://youtu.be/kwNTnKXxuXM                  

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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.

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https://youtu.be/1Ejh1vTc4ds                 

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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                

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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.

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https://youtu.be/csQr-V00snA                

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This episode explores how the concept of the Memra (Aramaic: "word") personified the actions of the transcendent God of Israel in the Jewish Targums. The Memra was not considered a seperate person alongside Yahweh in the minds of the targumists. We also consider the relevance of the Aramaic Memra to interpreting the prologue of the Gospel of John.

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https://youtu.be/NGGfqoYv_pM               

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The Acts of Paul & Thecla, written between 160 and 190 AD, was one of the most popular apocryphal acts among Christian readers. This episode examines what the unknown author believed about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. After removing the later scribal additions, the Acts of Paul & Thecla appears to be a unitarian Christian document.

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https://youtu.be/NRlwAgF149A               

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Within the Old and New Testaments, the figure known as the Most High God is portrayed to be only one person. This episode explores his identity, focusing particularly on Jesus' relationship to the Most High God, who appears to be the Father alone.

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https://youtu.be/93muK7J3CI4              

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This sermon discusses the christological portrayal of Christ Jesus taking the form of the Isaianic Suffering Servant, as it is depicted in Phil 2:5–11. Instead of suggesting that a divine figure descended from heaven to become man, Paul illustrates King Jesus refusing to exploit his messianic privileges, choosing instead to embody the role of the Servant depicted in Isaiah 52–53. Paul expects his readers to imitate the example of Jesus, the human king who chose to serve others in obedience to the true God. 

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https://youtu.be/aD...

What did Jesus mean when he said, "I and the Father are one"? This episode explores the often-overlooked nuances of the cardinal number one in Greek — an adjective that takes on very different meanings depending on its grammatical gender. Rather than saying that the Father and the Son are one in person or one in being/essence, the Gospel of John illustrates a shared mission and purpose--a purpose Jesus later shares with his followers.  

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https://youtu.be/HNMj2VMjq2c              

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2 Peter 1:1 is one of the ambiguous passages that, due to grammar, may collapse God and the Savior Jesus Christ into a single person. This episode discusses this verse, examines the Granville Sharp "Rule," and considers the wider context of 2 Peter, including the clear statements that consistently distinguish God from Jesus.

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https://youtu.be/bjJGSRjXdTM             

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Irenaeus of Lyons was a famous heresy hunter of the late second century AD. This episode examines the theology, christology, and pneumatology of Irenaeus to determine whether he was a Trinitarian. Spoiler alert: he wasn't.

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https://youtu.be/0rWyCT6pxdE             

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This episode discusses how the Son of Man receives worship/service ("pelah"), yet dismantles the assumption that this Aramaic verb applies only to God. We demonstrate that the verb "pelah" is flexible, accommodating objects of worship that include the Most High God as well as worthy human beings. We survey the use of this verb in Daniel, in the Dead Sea Scrolls, and in Targum Onkelos. 

To view the video version of this episode, go here:

https://youtu.be/qHHBhaVwChk            

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On February 6, 2026, I debated James White in a public, moderated debate titled "Does the Bible Teach the Trinity?" James White demonstrably failed to prove the affirmative of the debate.

To view the video version of this episode, go here:

https://youtu.be/hMuDp3XPmbU            

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On Friday, February 6, 2026, I defeated James White in a public, moderated debate concerning whether the Bible teaches the Trinity. In this week's episode, I am joined by Dr. Dale Tuggy to review the six reasons why I emerged as the winner of this debate on the Trinity. 

To view the video version of this episode, go here:

https://youtu.be/OPvIQSi8Oss           

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Visit Amazon to buy your copy of Wisdom Christolo...