Unitarian Christian Alliance
John 20:28 - Did Thomas Confess that Jesus IS God?
updated
From his paper:
"Biblical Unitarianism requires a sober reassessment of our boundary markers—who is, and who is not, a friend to God. The need for this reassessment should be evident to any Christian who has witnessed anyone coming to Christ without having ever heard of the Trinity, simply through being made conscious of their sin and of their need for God’s forgiveness
through what Jesus did on the cross. Since earliest times, people have come to follow Jesus without the doctrines of the Trinity and the eternal deity of Christ, so any insistence that these doctrines must be held is similar to the Pharisaical “fence around the Torah,” or the demands of the Judaizers which Paul argued nullified the gospel. It is of critical importance for evangelism and missions that we filter out these non-essential traditions, rooted in our own cultural background and religious tradition, and return to preaching nothing but “Jesus Christ and him crucified.”"
He demonstrates that relationship is one of principal and agent, fitting all six tenants of the Jewish principal of agency. And he calls on us to act as agents of Jesus who sends us, just as God sent Jesus.
Thomas Gaston holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Oxford, a Masters in the History of Christianity from the University of Birmingham, and a degree in Philosophy from the University of Warwick. He specializes in historical Christology, early Christianity, and biblical interpretation. He is also the author of Historical Issues in the Book of Daniel (Paternoster, 2016) and many articles on Christian theology and history which have appeared in academic journals. Gaston is a member of the Society of Christian Philosophers and is a senior manager at Wiley. He lives in the United Kingdom.
He argues the passage isn't about movement between two realms, earth and heaven, but rather shifts in the public estimation of Jesus.
He argues the biblical evidence is exactly what we would expect if Jesus was the one who died on the cross, and that the same evidence would be highly surprising if it was God who died on the cross.
youtu.be/YHDwvAEEYFM?si=Tc9Wn5IgDEuy5lMP
RESOURCES
• 83. Trinitarian Cultic Authority (http://podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/83-trinitarian-cultic-authority)
• The Way International - theway.org
• 313 Questioning Way International Doctrines (William Barlow) (restitutio.org/2020/02/06/313-questioning-way-international-doctrines-william-barlow) - Restitutio
• 18. Rex’s Legacy / Music of Grace / The Loaf - Laura Varnadore (http://podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/18-rexs-legacy-music-of-grace-the-loaf-laura-varnadore)
• 78. Success, Hubris, And The Titanic - Rex Cain (http://podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/78-success-hubris-and-the-titanic-rex-cain)
• Record up to a 90 second message (speakpipe.com/UCApodcast) (and be like Matt)
EPISODE INDEX
• 00:01:03 - Two YouTube Commenters
• 00:03:29 - Religious Authority, Damage
• 00:04:51 - Interview
• 00:07:31 - Being A Child In The Way
• 00:09:51 - Interpreted Most Accuracy
• 00:11:10 - The Sermon On The Mount?
• 00:12:15 - Don’t Confess Negatives Out Loud
• 00:16:38 - It Was Different At Home
• 00:19:42 - You Bear The Blame
• 00:22:31 - The Light Cracks In Through Friends
• 00:26:18 - The Realization That There Are Others
• 00:31:55 - Factors From Headquarters
• 00:36:15 - The Final Straw
• 00:38:51 - Seeing What Else Is Out There
• 00:41:21 - The Shocking Approach To Scripture
• 00:44:13 - The Tears
• 00:47:03 - Walking The Loop
• 00:49:13 - How Does The "Lock" Happen?
• 00:53:23 - Fruit Of The Doctrine
• 00:56:26 - To Live in Community
• 00:57:47 - Events
• 00:58:36 - Matt From Australia
• 01:00:14 - Email Me
FEEDBACK
Be like Matt from Australia. Send a short recording. Say your first name and your state or country.
• Email recording to podcast@unitarianchristianalliance.org (mailto:podcast@unitarianchristianalliance.org)
• Click here to RECORD A MESSAGE (speakpipe.com/UCApodcast)
• Or call: 615-581-1158
LISTENING TIPS
Pauses and pacing are hand crafted, artisan efforts. If your podcast app lets you remove silences, please don't. You will enjoy this better with the silences left in.
ENGAGE
The UCA Podcast email list (unitarianchristianalliance.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=011820058548fafb99b72f833&id=0c0d3b530b) ! Large and enjoyable episode art, additional thoughts from the host, and notifications when there are delays.
The UCA events listing (unitarianchristianalliance.org/events) . Keep up on what's coming up.
Podcast twitter @UCApodcast (twitter.com/UCApodcast) - Episode announcements
Official UCA twitter account @UnitarianChrist (twitter.com/UnitarianChrist)
Podcast Webpage: podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org
youtu.be/ky2SaHscSIo?si=d3bMY0oY0rYHjzR2&t=1614
youtu.be/ky2SaHscSIo?si=d3bMY0oY0rYHjzR2&t=1614
youtu.be/ky2SaHscSIo?si=d3bMY0oY0rYHjzR2&t=1614
youtu.be/ky2SaHscSIo?si=d3bMY0oY0rYHjzR2&t=1614
RESOURCES
• Restorationist Manifesto, Restitutio (restitutio.org/2017/05/15/restorationist-manifesto)
• James White and Dale Tuggy debate: “Is Jesus YHWH?” (youtu.be/ky2SaHscSIo?si=dQ_iSksU_mf3omQP)
• 13. An Absolute Distrust of Unitarians - Kevin George (Part 1) (http://podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/13-an-absolute-distrust-of-unitarians-kevin-george-part-1)
• 14. An Astounding Disappointment in Experts - Kevin George (Part 2) (http://podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/14-an-astounding-disappointment-in-experts)
• Jehovah’s Witnesses (jw.org)
• The Way International (theway.org)
• Inglesia Ni Christo (iglesianicristo.net)
• 80. Deconstrucing to Agnostic - Josiah Wright (Part 1) (sites.libsyn.com/300404/80-deconstructing-to-agnostic-josiah-wright-part-1)
• 81. Reconstructing to Relationship - Josiah Wright (Part 2) (http://podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/81-reconstructing-to-relationship-josiah-wright-part-2)
• do Theology podcast (dotheology.com)
• 67. Why Is the Trinity Mainstream? (http://podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/67-why-is-the-trinity-mainstream)
• Monte Python - Dead Parrot (youtu.be/4vuW6tQ0218?si=k4VzH2dnzBKsfVE-)
• The Forgotten Trinity (https://a.co/d/1AZLHYC) - James White
• Jude 1:3 - the faith once for all delivered to the saints
• Mark 9:24 - the father who asks for help with his unbelief
• Christ Before Creeds: Rediscovering the Jesus of History (https://a.co/d/8skH8Hp) audio book
• Workshops submissions (unitarianchristianalliance.org/workshops-participate-in-the-planning-for-uca-conference-2024-usa)
• 82. Experiencing the Tuggy/White Debate, Street Interviews, and Post-debate Roundtable (http://podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/82-experiencing-the-tuggywhite-debate-street-interviews-and-post-debate-roundtable)
• Articulate Aplogetics (youtube.com/@ArticulateApologetics) - YouTube Channel
THE CHALLENGE, SIX FACTS
1. No NT author ever collected the Trinitarian propositions together as a basis for any teaching.
2. No Bible author teaches us about a being that has three persons.
3. The contradictions that are self-evident from the Trinity are unnoticed and not addressed by any NT author.
4. No Biblical author teaches a dual nature theory or uses it to explain these contradictions
5. No New Testament author ever resorted to “mystery” to defend their complex and difficult explanation of God and his Christ.
6. No New Testament author ever made belief in the Trinity a requirement for being a follower of Christ.
EPISODE INDEX
• 00:00:38 - Not What a Trinitarian Expects?
• 00:04:35 - Cults
• 00:07:09 - The Comic Of Christian Branches
• 00:09:48 - A Reflection On Human Traits
• 00:11:45 - Fist Pumping
• 00:14:16 - Truth Is Formidable
• 00:17:20 - Our Prepensity To Certainty
• 00:18:14 - He Had To Be God
• 00:23:09 - Animal Brain
• 00:25:52 - But Cults Have Bibles, Right?
• 00:26:59 - The Magic Of The Cult
• 00:28:45 - New Heresy: Bi-personalism
• 00:34:44 - This Is The Way
• 00:35:30 - Trinitarian Hermeneutical Legacy
• 00:39:19 - The Challenge
• 00:40:57 - The Six Facts
• 00:46:05 - Peace Vs. Doubts
• 00:47:17 - Events
• 00:48:40 - Workshops
• 00:49:14 - Articulate Apologetics
• 00:50:31 - Disclaimer / Fine Print
FEEDBACK
Send a short recording. Say your first name and your state or country.
• Email recording to podcast@unitarianchristianalliance.org (mailto:podcast@unitarianchristianalliance.org)
• Click here to RECORD A MESSAGE (speakpipe.com/UCApodcast)
• Or call: 615-581-1158
LISTENING TIPS
Pauses and pacing are hand crafted, artisan efforts. If your podcast app lets you remove silences, please don't. You will enjoy this better with the silences left in.
ENGAGE
The UCA Podcast email list (unitarianchristianalliance.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=011820058548fafb99b72f833&id=0c0d3b530b) ! Large and enjoyable episode art, additional thoughts from the host, the Audio Geek Corner, and notifications when there are delays.
The UCA events listing (unitarianchristianalliance.org/events) . Keep up on what's coming up.
Podcast twitter @UCApodcast (https://t...
youtube.com/watch?v=eAvYmE2YYIU
unitarianchristianalliance.org/registration-open-join-us-in-little-rock-and-or-windsor
youtu.be/CZdB7H8ty8g?si=DoLfzCH6CbNppzGZ
unitarianchristianalliance.org/registration-open-join-us-in-little-rock-and-or-windsor
youtu.be/CZdB7H8ty8g?si=DoLfzCH6CbNppzGZ
unitarianchristianalliance.org/registration-open-join-us-in-little-rock-and-or-windsor
Link for the full video that was referenced here:
youtu.be/xJp_jfT7vEI?si=YVdJ44zg_y4DsQuR
For more on this, check out Dr. Dale Tuggy's article "Craig's Contradictory Christ".
ojs.uclouvain.be/index.php/theologica/article/view/68363/68513
trinities.org/blog/new-published-paper-craigs-contradictory-christ
youtu.be/uN0gNOWp8QM?si=7PFxYOi_4-XFNpvI
Matthew 24:36 ESV
“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.
Mark 13:32 ESV
“But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
On the substance, debate watchers should take note of the clear and many passages Dr. Dale Tuggy built his case on, in contrast to the few and unclear passages Dr. James White built his case on.
Source for the clips below:
Dale Tuggy and James White debate: "Is Jesus YHWH?" (best quality, with slides)
youtu.be/ky2SaHscSIo?si=6RVjnlay4jfcZ3pK
Why We Believe - The Trinity
youtu.be/C-2nYJHXj60?si=szeIsRAbXbaijR4C
For the terms exegesis and eisegesis:
"In biblical exegesis, the opposite of exegesis (to draw out) is eisegesis (to draw in), in the sense of an eisegetic commentator "importing" or "drawing in" their own subjective interpretations into the text, unsupported by the text itself. Eisegesis is often used as a derogatory term."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exegesis
gotquestions.org/exegesis-eisegesis.html
RESOURCES
• Dale Tuggy and James White debate: "Is Jesus YHWH?" (best quality, with slides) (youtu.be/ky2SaHscSIo?si=571vRf9Thdv1Nx24)
• Curious Christianity (YouTube channel) (youtube.com/@curiouschristianity)
• Curious Christianity - Discussion with Dr. Tuggy on Intellectual Honesty and the Trinity (youtu.be/T35SY52VzkE?si=GyEvVm0ly67PI181)
• Debate Analysis - White/Tuggy Debate - by William Barlow (youtu.be/mZIkpAL8ZJE?si=t0gy7p117IuUxBQD)
• Brandon Duke - Why the UCA is an "alliance" (youtu.be/jO3Z0c5x2X0?si=CUoMxC9I5BDYbNS1) (WW2 illustration)
• The Council of Trent: DIALOGUE: Is Jesus God? (and the "Protestant Trinity Problem") (youtu.be/TaoH4sjp58c?si=DoYxw9jo34qbSgxa) - Interview with Sam Tideman
• The God of Jesus in Light of Christian Dogma (https://a.co/d/6ZcFEMt) - Book by Kegan Chandler
• Hebrews 1 - Tuggy/White debate response - Dustin Smith (youtu.be/YNyZrl4-2fM?si=_rQAtC2tR6sI3ZGR)
• John 12 - Tuggy/White debate response - William Barlow (youtu.be/nO7wdFJnzg8?si=cXV4cO2F6x9Qf3eH)
• Philippians 2 - Tuggy/White debate response - Jerry Wierwille (youtu.be/dPn4LAgeGJI?si=xN7WmpdexAGdb0CS)
• 1 Peter 3:15 - Tuggy/White debate response - Sean Finnegan (youtu.be/zEALEK4BneM?si=4zcqHDfbXCTFLFiU)
• Restitutio: 539 Dale Tuggy’s Thoughts on the James White Debate: Is Jesus Yahweh? (restitutio.org/2024/03/14/539-dale-tuggys-thoughts-on-the-james-white-debate-is-jesus-yahweh)
• 55. Meant to Be Understood - Tom Huszti (podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/55-meant-to-be-understood-tom-huszti)
• Unitarian Anabaptist - The Tugboat of Debate, Dale Tuggy Pulls The Weight (youtu.be/rL69HKlnnPE?si=wspBL6x1vvubGXFV)
• James White's follow up thoughts on debate (youtu.be/fLa8vrWuIk8?si=RtNNP9TutCWNapMi&t=384)
• 2. Mother Disrupted - Hildy Chandler (Part 1) (http://podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/2-mother-disrupted-hildy-chandler)
• 3. Scripture vs. Scales - Hildy Chandler (Part 2) (http://podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/3-scripture-vs-scales-hildy-chandler-part-2)
EPISODE INDEX
• 00:01:08 - To The Trinitarians I Met That Night
• 00:03:50 - A Challenge In Next Episode
• 00:05:02 - Pre-debate Street Interviews
• 00:15:31 - Debate Compressed
• 00:16:11 - Post-debate Street Interviews
• 00:25:46 - Roundtable Participants
• 00:27:12 - Roundtable
• 00:27:42 - What Is A Debate?
• 00:29:57 - Projection and Fallacies
• 00:31:36 - Undesirables
• 00:32:17 - The Theory of the Perfect Debate
• 00:33:55 - Corralling the Sheep
• 00:35:04 - Warnings of the Outskirts
• 00:37:03 - Debate Discipline
• 00:39:42 - Subordinating Logic
• 00:41:36 - Cross Examination Rules
• 00:43:20 - Dual Nature Contradictions
• 00:47:57 - The Value Of A Debate
• 00:49:19 - In-person, Real-life, Unitarian Christians
• 00:50:42 - The Energy In The Room
• 00:52:26 - What Is Victory?
• 00:53:52 - Going To An Away Game
• 00:55:58 - Thanks to All
• 00:59:01 - Events
FEEDBACK
Love the sound of your voice. Send a short recording. Say your first name and your state or country.
• Email recording to podcast@unitarianchristianalliance.org (mailto:podcast@unitarianchristianalliance.org)
• Click here to RECORD A MESSAGE (speakpipe.com/UCApodcast)
• Or call: 615-581-1158
LISTENING TIPS
Pauses and pacing are hand crafted, artisan efforts. If your podcast app lets you remove silences, please don't. You will enjoy this better with the silences left in.
ENGAGE
The UCA Podcast email list (unitarianchristianalliance.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=011820058548fafb99b72f833&id=0c0d3b530b) ! Large and enjoyable episode art, additional thoughts from the host, and notifications when there are delays.
The UCA events listing (unitarianchristianalliance.org/events) . Keep up on what's coming up.
Podcast twitter @UCApodcast (twitter.com/UCApodcast) - Episode announcements
Official UCA twitter account @UnitarianChrist (twitter.com/UnitarianChrist)
Podcast Webpage: podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org
The full debate can be viewed here:
youtu.be/ky2SaHscSIo
For an in depth analysis of James White's opening statement proof texts:
youtu.be/zEALEK4BneM
youtu.be/dPn4LAgeGJI
youtu.be/YNyZrl4-2fM
youtu.be/nO7wdFJnzg8
The debate was held at the First Lutheran Church of Houston Texas, on March 9th, 2024.
For an in depth analysis of James White's opening remark proof texts:
youtu.be/zEALEK4BneM
youtu.be/dPn4LAgeGJI
youtu.be/YNyZrl4-2fM
youtu.be/nO7wdFJnzg8
00:00 Introduction
01:41 James White Opening Remarks
26:50 Dale Tuggy Opening Remarks
51:57 James White Rebuttal
1:01:48 Dale Tuggy Rebuttal
1:12:10 James White Cross Examination
1:22:22 Dale Tuggy Cross Examination
1:32:42 James White Closing Remarks
1:37:54 Dale Tuggy Closing Remarks
1:43:39 Q&A
#uca
#trinitydebate
#unitarianism
youtu.be/ky2SaHscSIo
youtu.be/ky2SaHscSIo
youtu.be/ky2SaHscSIo
youtu.be/ky2SaHscSIo
RESOURCES
• 1. The Perilous Trinity Deep Dive (http://podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/1-the-perilous-trinity-deep-dive)
• 20. The Good, the Bad, and the Boys Home - Josiah Wright (http://podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org/20-the-good)
• 80. Deconstrucing to Agnostic - Josiah Wright (Part 1) (sites.libsyn.com/300404/80-deconstructing-to-agnostic-josiah-wright-part-1)
• Matthew 16 - The Pharisees demanding a sign
• UCA Conference (unitarianchristianalliance.org/conference)
• UCA Events Page (unitarianchristianalliance.org/events)
• Crowdsourced short submissions: media@unitarianchristianalliance.org
• Greg Cheney - we must test inherited doctrine for truth (youtu.be/B1ZBsfRJOic?si=72JSwzKgo_MjZU2l)
• 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 - Not with eloquence...
EPISODE INDEX
• 00:03:30 - Financial Doubts
• 00:07:04 - The Turning Point
• 00:12:17 - Coming Together in Faith
• 00:15:27 - Experiences
• 00:16:55 - God's Voice as Words
• 00:20:42 - My ADHD Brain
• 00:21:49 - God's Personal Help
• 00:23:00 - Peace as God’s Voice
• 00:25:22 - Internal vs. External Pressure
• 00:29:10 - Having Others To Help
• 00:30:16 - Helping Others, Advice
• 00:31:58 - Someone Already Flattend Out
• 00:32:52 - If You Know Someone Going Through It
• 00:34:18 - On Your Way Back Up
• 00:36:06 - Mark's Brief Reflection
• 00:37:19 - Events
• 00:38:56 - Let Someone Know
• 00:39:36 - Podcast Help From Mark Cain
• 00:41:13 - Crowdsourced Videos
• 00:42:42 - Greg's Video
• 00:43:46 - 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
FEEDBACK
Verbalize something. Send a short recording. Say your first name and your state or country.
• Email recording to podcast@unitarianchristianalliance.org (mailto:podcast@unitarianchristianalliance.org)
• Click here to RECORD A MESSAGE (speakpipe.com/UCApodcast)
• Or call: 615-581-1158
LISTENING TIPS
Pauses and pacing are hand crafted, artisan efforts. If your podcast app lets you remove silences, please don't. You will enjoy this better with the silences left in.
ENGAGE
The UCA Podcast email list (unitarianchristianalliance.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=011820058548fafb99b72f833&id=0c0d3b530b) ! Large and enjoyable episode art, additional thoughts from the host, and notifications when there are delays.
The UCA events listing (unitarianchristianalliance.org/events) . Keep up on what's coming up.
Podcast twitter @UCApodcast (twitter.com/UCApodcast) - Episode announcements
Official UCA twitter account @UnitarianChrist (twitter.com/UnitarianChrist)
Podcast Webpage: podcast.unitarianchristianalliance.org