Explore the intense theological battles of the fourth century that shaped Christianity. Discover how the Council of Nicaea ignited conflicts rather than resolving them. Delve into Athanasius's complex legacy and his fierce opposition to Arianism. Unpack the debates over the Trinity, influenced by ecclesiastical councils and imperial power. Witness the evolution of military Christianity as it intertwined with faith and doctrine, all leading to pivotal changes in the understanding of Christology.

Arius, a presbyter deeply embroiled in fourth-century Christological debates, contrasts sharply with his authoritative bishop, Alexander of Alexandria. The discussion highlights the fascinating theological tensions between their views on the nature of Christ, exploring Arius's perspective of a created Son versus Alexander's belief in eternal divinity. Emperor Constantine’s efforts to mediate these disputes are revealed, shedding light on the early church's evolving relationship with state power and setting the stage for future doctrinal conflicts.

In this engaging discussion, Constantine, the Roman emperor who transformed Christianity, shares insights into his life and reign. He elaborates on his role in ending brutal persecutions and fostering a supportive relationship between the Roman government and the Church. The conversation dives into the implications of his reign, including the merging of Church and State, the impacts on Christian identity, and the fascinating stories surrounding the true cross. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of both the triumphs and challenges that accompanied this pivotal period in church history.

This is part two of a two part series refuting the opening statement of a debate on the question "Is Jesus Yahweh?" This week Brand Duke and I are going to critique Samuel Nesan's opening statement in his recent debate over the question, "Is Jesus Yahweh?" Nesan has a Master of Christian Studies at Seminari Theoloji Malaysia and another Masters of Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a PhD at Southwestern. He's served as a pastor, speaker, and apologist. He's the co-founder of Explain International, a ministry seeking to equip the church to accurately articulate and defend the Christian faith. In our episode today, we'll play out sections of Nesan's opening statement and respond. Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSPU45IWErA —— Links —— Read Troy Salinger's article on the Aramaic word pelach in Daniel 7.14 Check out these other debates and this multi-part refutation of Michael Brown's case for the deity of Christ More about Brandon Duke at TruthBorn.org and on his YouTube channel For an entire class on the biblical unitarian understanding of God, see One God Over All on the web, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube Support Restitutio by donating here Join our Restitutio Facebook Group and follow Sean Finnegan on Twitter @RestitutioSF Leave a voice message via SpeakPipe with questions or comments and we may play them out on the air Intro music: Good Vibes by MBB Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-SA 3.0) Free Download / Stream: Music promoted by Audio Library. Who is Sean Finnegan?  Read his bio here  

Listen to this episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts This is part one of a two part series refuting the opening statement of a debate on the question “Is Jesus Yahweh?” This week and next week we are taking a little break from our Early Church History class to do discuss a recent debate about Christ’s identity. So, if you’re not interested in that, just skip ahead two episodes and you can pick up on the class. But, since this debate just happened, I wanted to take a couple of episodes to respond while it’s still fresh in people’s memories. If you haven’t listened it yet, you can watch it on YouTube or listen on Spotify. Just search “Is Jesus Yahweh debate.” You’ll find the Gospel Truth channel on YouTube or the Biblical Unitarian podcast episode 271 in your podcast app. But, even if you haven’t yet listened to this debate, we are going to play out the audio and respond, so you should be able to follow along fine. Now this was a two on two debate between Dr. Dustin Smith and Pastor William Barlow who took the negative position “Jesus is not Yahweh” vs. Dr. Kyle Essary and Apologist Samuel Nesan who took the affirmative position that “Jesus is Yahweh.” In this episode Brandon Duke of TruthBorn and I are going to perform a postmortem critique of the debate. We’ll play out Dr. Essary’s opening statement and respond to it. Of course Dr. Smith and Pastor Will responded to several of these points in the debate, but I thought it would be helpful to take a little more time with them. Then in our next episode we’ll take on Samuel Nesan’s opening statement. Before jumping into my conversation with Brandon Duke, I first want to formally introduce Kyle Essary. He’s a scholar of the Old Testament with a PhD in biblical studies. He is currently a lecturer at the Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary where he also serves as the interim dean. He is originally from Dallas, USA, but has lived in China, the Middle East, and Malaysia for most of the past decade. And I hasten to add to this little bio, that he also seems like a genuinely kind man. Maybe that’s just his southern accent, but he came across as fair minded and respectful. Well, that’s enough of an introduction. Here now is episode 491 Refuting Kyle Essary’s case that Jesus is Yahweh with Brandon Duke. —— Links —— Check out these other debates and this multi-part refutation of Michael Brown’s case for the deity of Christ More about Brandon Duke at TruthBorn.org and on his YouTube channel For an entire class on the biblical unitarian understanding of God, see One God Over All on the web, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube Support Restitutio

Explore the tumultuous journey of early Christians facing severe persecution in the Roman Empire. Discover the absurdities of trials, influenced by dubious accusations and harsh governance. Dive into the courageous story of Polycarp, who stood firm in his faith to the end. Learn about the impactful sacrifices of martyrs like him and Perpetua, and how their legacies shaped the Christian community. Finally, witness the change brought by Emperor Constantine, marking a pivotal shift in the role of Christianity and prompting critical theological debates.

Discover how early Christians organized their communities and governance through fascinating church orders. Explore the vital roles of bishops, presbyters, and deacons, and the unique responsibilities of women and widows. Delve into the evolution of baptism practices and communal worship, including the significance of rituals like the kiss of peace. Uncover the debates surrounding the origins of the Trinity and how early theological concepts evolved over centuries. This journey into early church history reveals both familiar and surprising insights!

Origen of Alexandria, an influential early Christian theologian, discusses his intellectual contributions that shaped Christianity. He reflects on his ascetic lifestyle and the creation of the Hexapla, a critical synthesis of biblical texts. The conversation delves into his innovative allegorical interpretations and defense against early heresies. Origen also addresses his integration of Neo-Platonism with Christian thought, revealing how his controversial beliefs influenced theological development despite facing persecution. His legacy resonates through centuries of Christian doctrine.

Philo of Alexandria, a key figure in Hellenistic Judaism, fused Platonism with scripture, revolutionizing biblical interpretation. His allegorical methods, especially concerning Adam and Eve, set the stage for later Christian thought. Following him, Clement of Alexandria expanded these ideas to Christian scriptures, exploring the intersection of philosophy and faith. They discuss how Alexandria served as a cultural melting pot, influencing early Christianity and shaping theological debates that echoed through generations.

In the second century, Christians faced new challenges from both within and outside their community. Apologists like Justin Martyr tirelessly advocated for Christianity, confronting misconceptions and demanding tolerance. Meanwhile, heresy hunters like Irenaeus fought against the rise of Gnosticism, defending orthodox beliefs with vigor. The intricate dance between faith and heresy created a rich tapestry of theological debates, ultimately shaping the evolution of doctrines like the Trinity. Discover the passionate defense of faith during this fascinating period.