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Christology

SUMMARY

The speaker discusses the Divine Council worldview, the godhead in the Old Testament, and how these concepts address criticisms of Jesus' deity and the Incarnation.

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

Understanding divine plurality in the Old Testament can address modern criticisms of Jesus' deity and Incarnation.

IDEAS:

  • The Divine Council worldview and godhead in the Old Testament are interrelated.
  • Criticisms of Jesus' deity and Incarnation are common in modern discussions.
  • Some argue the New Testament writers invented the concept of Jesus' deity.
  • Jewish evangelism can benefit from understanding divine plurality in the Old Testament.
  • Deuteronomy 6:4 (the Shema) can be translated in multiple ways.
  • John 1:18 presents a complex view of God and Jesus' relationship.
  • First-century Jews embraced Jesus as Yahweh incarnate without violating monotheism.
  • Old Testament passages suggest a divine plurality, contributing to the godhead concept.
  • Genesis 19:24 and Amos 4:11 show Yahweh acting in dual roles.
  • Illeism (referring to oneself in the third person) is present in Old Testament texts.
  • Alan Siegel's "The Two Powers in Heaven" explores divine plurality in Judaism.
  • Exodus 15:3 and Daniel 7:9-13 depict God in human-like forms.
  • The "Two Powers" concept was accepted in Judaism until the second century A.D.
  • The angel of Yahweh in Exodus 3 and 23 embodies God's presence.
  • "Name theology" in the Old Testament links God's name to His presence.
  • The "word of the Lord" often appears as a visual, human-like figure.
  • The "Cloud Rider" title, used for Baal, is also applied to Yahweh.
  • Daniel 7's "son of man" is a second divine figure alongside the Ancient of Days.
  • Jesus' use of "son of man" in the New Testament ties to Daniel 7's divine figure.
  • Inter-testamental Jewish literature speculated on a second power in heaven.
  • The second power concept became heretical in Judaism after Christianity's rise.
  • The Holy Spirit is sometimes linked to the second divine figure in Old Testament texts.

INSIGHTS

  • Divine plurality in the Old Testament supports the concept of a godhead.
  • First-century Jews saw no conflict between monotheism and Jesus as Yahweh incarnate.
  • The Shema's multiple translations complicate its interpretation regarding monotheism.
  • Old Testament passages hint at a complex, multi-personal Godhead.
  • Jewish acceptance of Jesus as divine challenges modern criticisms of His deity.
  • The "Two Powers" concept was mainstream in Judaism before Christianity's rise.
  • The angel of Yahweh represents God's presence and authority on Earth.
  • "Name theology" emphasizes God's presence through His name in specific locations.
  • The "word of the Lord" often appears as a human-like figure, prefiguring Jesus.
  • The "Cloud Rider" title for Yahweh asserts His supremacy over other deities.

FACTS:

  • The Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4) can be translated six different ways.
  • John 1:18 presents a complex view of God and Jesus' relationship.
  • First-century Jews embraced Jesus as Yahweh incarnate without violating monotheism.
  • Genesis 19:24 and Amos 4:11 show Yahweh acting in dual roles.
  • Alan Siegel's "The Two Powers in Heaven" explores divine plurality in Judaism.
  • Exodus 15:3 and Daniel 7:9-13 depict God in human-like forms.
  • The angel of Yahweh in Exodus 3 and 23 embodies God's presence.
  • "Name theology" in the Old Testament links God's name to His presence.
  • The "word of the Lord" often appears as a visual, human-like figure.
  • The "Cloud Rider" title, used for Baal, is also applied to Yahweh.