The big debate is almost upon us! Below is the flyer produced by Dr. Brown’s Fire Church. The debate is open to all, with no charge for admission. Here is the church’s website.
I am looking forward to presenting a comprehensive case that the New Testament authors are all unitarian in their theology; in other words, they all hold that the one God is the Father (and no one else).
If you can’t attend, I believe (though I not sure) that the host church may live-stream it. In any case, the edited audio should eventually be episodes of trinities podcast, and the fully produced video should be available at the 21st Century Reformation website.
Thanks to Tracy @ Kingdom of God Ministry & Missions for her ongoing work coordinating this event! Other sponsors are listed and linked on my previous post.
Update: Didn’t see the debate? It is now posted in full here, in HD TV quality, thanks to Sharon Gill.
Dale,
Been praying for you and Dr. Brown on this debate…can’t think of two better folks to do it!
Was listening to podcast 201 recently, and the 13-14min. mark reminded me – I’ve been meaning to ask you something, as I’ve recently had a disagreement with some fellow biblical Unitarians who, like you and I, also believe we are in the New Covenant, but they don’t believe Jesus even kept Mosaic law in the letter. Are their arguments below valid?
Argument#1: “If Jesus kept the law of Moses in the letter, then we as Jesus’ followers would be required to keep it in the letter. Therefore Jesus broke the letter of Mosaic Law.”
Argument#2: “If Christians are not required to keep the letter of Mosaic Law, and Jesus kept the letter of Mosaic Law, then Jesus fails to be the model Christian.”
I guess both are essentially the same argument. Are they illogical or invalid, or maybe just not biblical in spirit?
In Christ,
Matt
Hi Matt – thanks for your prayers!
Argument #1 is invalid as it stands. But if we add what is probably an unstated premise, we get a valid argument:
If Jesus kept the law of Moses in the letter, then we as Jesus’ followers would be required to keep it in the letter.
[Jesus’ followers are not required to keep the Law.]
Therefore Jesus broke the letter of Mosaic Law.
I think any Christian should deny the first premise (which, if false, makes the argument valid but unsound). Jesus is a Jew. Happily, we Gentiles have now been included in God’s new deal, but not base on our being observant Jews.
Myself, I see Jesus keeping the law, not breaking it – although, he did intentionally break with popular Jewish interpretations of and applications of the law – what eventually was dubbed “the oral law” and made a pillar of Rabinic, post-Temple Judaism.
Now about the second argument – well, it’s really just as statement, not an argument:
If Christians are not required to keep the letter of Mosaic Law, and Jesus kept the letter of Mosaic Law, then Jesus fails to be the model Christian.
It’s a strange assertion. Jesus, during his brief earthly ministry, wasn’t a Christian at all, so who cares if he was a model Christian or not? He was a Jew, but also of course, is *the* model human being, who always obeys and trusts God, and who gives his life in an act of love.
Completely agree brother, well stated, and thank you for clarifying that! You are most welcome for the prayers, and will keep them coming, also I’ll remind the brothers in our group/fellowship to pray & watch on 11 Jan.
When you get a chance, can you send your new email to my gmail address? Back in May, I sent you some updates to the Christology stick figure stuff I shared with you last spring, but it went to your Fredonia email which I’m guessing you don’t have any longer since moving to TN. Appreciate your work!
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