112) John the Baptizer Came Down from Heaven

In this episode our guest, theological author and blogger, Troy Salinger, shows that the biblical metaphors “to come from heaven”, “to come from above” and “to come from God” are to be understood figuratively and apply to John the Baptist (and other Old Testament prophets) as well as to Jesus. 

When referring to human beings, these figures of speech do not mean to literally descend from some existence in heaven.  Rather, the figures refer to humans being commissioned, instructed, authorized and empowered by God.
In his exposition of John 3:31-36, Salinger shows the context of “coming down from heaven” relates to the testimony of John the Baptizer and Jesus on the one side (“from heaven”), in contrast to the Judean religious authorities on the other side (“of the earth”).

 

The testimony of the Baptizer and Jesus is to believed because they (and their testimony) have come from God, from heaven. The testimony of the religious leaders on the other hand, is “from below, from the earth”, that is, of human origin.
For the full text of this podcast, see Salinger’s blog “Let the Truth Come Out”.

https://letthetruthcomeoutblog.wordpress.com/2023/11/24/john-331-36-a-problematic-text/

 

Other resources: “I came down from heaven”: Metaphors in the Gospel of John

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egnYn2JHRjM

 

Pre-incarnate Appearances of the Son of God in the Old Testament: Truth or Myth
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUqWXumvcp5p1klRmE6uAaU7uGSOMDuCX

 

Is the Memra the Pre-incarnate Son of God

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUqWXumvcp5rvmD5Q9dO68RFlfeg_cc8C

 

#deityofchrist, #trinity, #biblicalunitarian, #troysalinger, #billschlegel