Transfigured

JP Marceau, a philosopher with a focus on ancient church traditions and contemporary thought, dives deep into fascinating topics. He explores the essence-energy distinction in the Trinity, contrasting early church perspectives with modern interpretations. Marceau also discusses panpsychism, emphasizing consciousness as a fundamental reality. The dialogue intertwines theological insights with evolutionary biology, probing the intersections between faith, personhood, and divine consciousness. His unique blend of historical and modern philosophy creates a rich tapestry of ideas about existence and spirituality.

This is a casual 4-way conversation between friends. None of us are professional theologians but we are all very interested in the topics of Unitarians vs Trinitarianism and Universalism vs Annihilationism vs Eternal Conscious Torment.    Jeff has a background in various forms of conservative evangelicalism growing up in Texas. He also is a CS Lewis and George McDonald quote encyclopedia. You can learn more about his story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoAHv6_LG_w   Luke has been on the channel before. He grew up in the young, restless, and reformed circles but is now on the path to Eastern Orthodoxy. You can learn more about his story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSiCZLHkZXA   Charlie is from Arkansas and grew up Southern Baptist being really involved with his church. He had a period of atheism and is now getting back into religion. He has his one youtube channel which you can find here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL-Hga0OoEHlzSJgRNmr7Aw

Dr. Khalil Andani is an Assistant Professor of Religion at Augustana College and a recent PhD graduate from Harvard University. Dr. Andani is a member of the Nizari branch of Ismaili Shi'i Islam. He invited me to have a dialogue with him about my views on Jesus as a Biblical Unitarian Christian for his class "Global Christians: Christian-Muslim Encounters". As far as either of us are aware our particular traditions have never had such a dialogue publicly before and we find a lot we can agree on and understand about each other.  The central topic is who is Jesus? What is Jesus's connection to God? Can Jesus be worshiped? How do we talk about our worship or veneration of Jesus?   Some people mentioned are Photinus of Ancyra, Plotinus, Arius, Athanasius of Alexandria, Thomas Aquinas, Averroes, Avicenna, Aga Khan, Alvin Platinga, Kegan Chandler, John Locke, Isaac Newton, Augustine, and many others. Hope you enjoy.

Brett Salkeld is a Catholic Theologian and author of a new book on Transubstantiation. He explores the often misunderstood Thomistic doctrine of transubstantiation and how that relates to the eucharistic theologies of Martin Luther and John Calvin. His bold proposals suggest that a better understanding of Thomas Aquinas can actually help lead to greater unity between Catholics and Protestants, and even within Protestants, on this often contentious issue. We all talk about the sacramental nature of reality, Paul Vanderklay, Jonathan Pageau, Athanasius, the history of Unitarianism, adoptionism, and much more. Link to Brett's book: https://www.amazon.com/Transubstantiation-Theology-History-Christian-Unity/dp/1540960552

Luke, Julian, and Sam do a debrief on the recent debate between Chris Date and Sam and Preston Sprinkle's "Theology in the Raw" podcast. Various people mentioned are Larry Hurtado, Jonathan Pageau, Alan Kreider's "The Patient Ferment of the Early Church", Jordan Peterson and his rules for good conversation, Paul Vanderklay as always, Jonathan Haidt, and Beau Branson. We discussion Biblical Unitarianism, Eastern Orthodoxy, The Jewish context of the emergence of Christianity, Monarchical Trinitarianism, and just exactly what is means for Jesus to be divine.   Link to the debate video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0a7tsC_6T80&t=1284s   Link to the podcast: https://www.prestonsprinkle.com/theology-in-the-raw/2020/3/16/783-trinitarianism-versus-unitarianism-a-conversation-with-chris-date-and-sam-adams

In this conversation we discuss linguistic confusions relating to Christology, is God eternally and necessarily a Father, Dale Tuggy and his definition of Unitarianism, Chris Date and standard American Evangelical Trinitarianism, the specifics of the Arian Controversy, is the God of the Old Testament the Father or the Son, can God be seen, Two Powers in Heaven by Alan Segal, Richard Bauckham, Justin Martyr and the Dialogue with Trypho, Philo of Alexandria, Josephus, Preston Sprinkle, Hegel, NT Wright, Michael Heiser, William Lane Craig, Neoplatonism, Origen of Alexandria, Plotinus, Is there Platonism in the book of Hebrews, did Apollos write the book of Hebrews, and finally we read the prologue of John 1, Maximus the Confessor and the 3 thickenings of the logos.  Link to our first conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_tuLfkp4_Y&t=5520s

Luke returns for a second conversation. This time Sam and Luke discuss Philippians 2, The Christ Hymn. Sam presents a Biblical Unitarian interpretation of the passage and Luke gives his feedback from an Eastern Orthodox Monarchical Trinitarian perspective. This video in both in response to the debate between Dale Tuggy and Christ Date and in anticipation of an upcoming debate/discussion between Sam and Chris Date. Because this is Sam and Luke they don't always stay on topic and mention Dr. Preston Sprinkle, Paul Vanderklay, Owen Barfield, Julian the Apostate, Lewis Carrol, Guy Sengstock, Jordan Peterson, Arius of Alexandria, David Bentley Hart, and Larry Hurtado.  My previous conversation with Dr. Beau Branson was mentioned multiple times: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_tuLfkp4_Y&t=2235s  Dale Tuggy and Chris Date Debate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c35_uFjEbx8

Tripp in an AI researcher at Amazon and a friend I met through the Paul Vanderklay online community. He is an expert on Aristotelianism, Thomistic theology, and the philosophy of mind with a masters in philosophy from Duke.   We talk about the doctrine of divine simplicity, how that relates to the doctrine of the trinity, Thomas Aquinas, Aristotle, Ray Kurzweil, Alvin Plantinga, the evolutionary argument against naturalism, David Hume, Thomas Bayes, the argument against miracles, Adam Friended, Michael Shermer, Alexander the Great, Tim McGrew, Douglas Murray, Christian Atheists, William Lane Craig, the cosmological argument, the Gospel of John, John the Baptist, and just why was Jesus crucified?   Here is our first conversation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvXOZj4kQGU&t=2s   Here is a link to Tripp, Esther and Adam Friended debating the resurrection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7g9ic521c8   Tim McGrew and the argument from miracles:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSEobV4cHnc

Julian is a friend I met in the community around Paul VanderKlay. He is a Hutterite from Canada who has recently taken upon himself to learn more about the Trinity. We discuss the connection between belief and practice, trinitarian education, the historical connections between Hutterites and Unitarians, primitivism, Schleiermacher, Fred Sanders, Michael Reeves, Karl Barth, Jordan Peterson, evangelical identity, cardinal sins, Michael Polanyi, tacit belief, the difficulties of interpretation, Bart Ehrman, proper Christian cultural engagement, Neoplatonism, Alister McGrath, the Bible Project, and just who is this Jesus? The conversation ends abruptly due to connectivity issues, but we hope to resume it again soon.

Luke, a friend of Sam and member of Paul Vanderklay's online community, dives deep into the nuances of Trinitarianism and Biblical Unitarianism. They critique the evolution of creeds and discuss how these beliefs shape community dynamics and individual faith. Engaging with the historical context of theological debates, such as the Arian conflict, they underscore the importance of authentic dialogue. More than mere propositions, Luke emphasizes the transformative power of faith and connection, illuminating the delicate balance between belief and communal experience.