Read more about the article Does “Born of a Woman” in Galatians 4:4 Support the Incarnation or Dual Natures of Christ?
Nativity, Antonio Correggio,16th century
Dual Natures of Christ / Paul's Christology and Theology / Preexistence / Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ

Does “Born of a Woman” in Galatians 4:4 Support the Incarnation or Dual Natures of Christ?

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul writes to Gentile believers (who were being persuaded to be circumcised according to the law) about what it means to be children and heirs of God. In chapter four, the apostle writes:   Galatians 4:1-7 (NASB) Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. 3…

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January 21, 2023
Read more about the article The Rock That Followed Them Was Christ
Moses and water from a rock
Paul's Christology and Theology / Preexistence / Who is Jesus

The Rock That Followed Them Was Christ

There are a handful of verses that are used by some to try and prove the preexistence of Jesus, which, according to modern orthodoxy, equates with Jesus being God.  One of those verses is found in Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth: 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 (NASB) For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; 2  and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the…

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June 16, 2021
Read more about the article Did Micah Prophesy That Jesus Preexisted?
The Prophet Micah, Jan van Eyck, 1432 (The banner quotes the beginning of Micah 5:2)
Preexistence / Principle of Agency / Who is Jesus

Did Micah Prophesy That Jesus Preexisted?

There are a handful of passages that some point to in an effort to prove that Jesus preexisted as God in heaven.  One of those verses appears in the book of Micah:  Micah 5:2 (NASB) "But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity."Jerusalem was going to muster troops to fight Assyria, but God took…

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January 28, 2021
Read more about the article Did John the Baptist Say Jesus Preexisted?
St. John the Baptist, Mattia Preti, c. 1665
Who is Jesus / Preexistence

Did John the Baptist Say Jesus Preexisted?

John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus is sometimes used in an attempt to prove that Jesus preexisted in heaven: John 1:15, 27 and 29-30 (NASB) John *testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'" ...27  "It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie."...29  The next day he *saw Jesus coming to him and…

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December 19, 2020
Read more about the article The Gods Have Become Like Men
Paul and Barnabas at Lystra, Johann Heiss, 1678
Book of Acts / Paul's Christology and Theology / Preexistence / Who is Jesus

The Gods Have Become Like Men

The book of Acts should play a key role in the development of our theology because it demonstrates what the early Church believed and taught.  In other words, the book of Acts offers a firsthand look at how the disciples implemented Jesus' mandate to go into all the world "teaching them all that I have commanded you."[1]  If the doctrine of the Trinity and Jesus' incarnation are foundational teachings, as modern orthodoxy claims, we should find them in abundance in the book that records the…

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October 25, 2020
Read more about the article Through Whom He Made the World: An Examination of Hebrews 1:1-2
Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ / Creation and Jesus / Preexistence

Through Whom He Made the World: An Examination of Hebrews 1:1-2

Post-biblical orthodoxy has long held that Jesus created the world.  Passages such as Genesis 1:26, John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:15-18, when viewed through a Nicene lens, appear to some to support this interpretation.  Another passage that is often referenced is found in Hebrews: Hebrews 1:1-2 (NASB) God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2  in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through…

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November 23, 2019
Read more about the article Jesus Existed in the Form of God: An Examination of Philippians 2:5-11
El Greco, c. 1600
Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ / Preexistence

Jesus Existed in the Form of God: An Examination of Philippians 2:5-11

One of the most often quoted passages in support of Jesus' deity is also one of the most contested.  Trinitarians and non-Trinitarians alike each assert that it supports their own Christological view:  Philippians 2:5-11 (NASB) Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6  who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7  but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.…

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September 15, 2019
Read more about the article How Plato Influenced Our View of God
Trifacial Trinity: Anonymous, Cusco School c. 1750
Church History / Preexistence

How Plato Influenced Our View of God

Many Christians sitting in the pew believe that their view of God, indeed orthodoxy's view, is derived solely from the Bible.  They would never suspect, however, that the roots of their belief in a triune God comes, not from Scripture, but from Greek philosophy.  Nor could they imagine that the respected early Church Fathers were to blame for synthesizing pagan philosophy, such as Plato's, with the sacred texts.  While the average Christian is unaware of such matters, Biblical scholars find this to be old news.…

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August 12, 2019
Read more about the article Jesus’ Pre-existing Glory: An Examination of John 17:5
Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ / Dual Natures of Christ / Preexistence

Jesus’ Pre-existing Glory: An Examination of John 17:5

One of the passages cited as proof that Jesus pre-existed in heaven before being incarnated into the world comes from what is referred to as Jesus' high priestly prayer:John 17:4-5 (NASB) "I glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. 5  "Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was. (emphasis added)The Definition of GloryThe word "glorify" in the Greek is doxazô, and it means to render or…

11 Comments
August 3, 2019
Read more about the article John 8:58 Before Abraham Was Born, I Am
Proof Texts for the Deity of Christ / Peter's Christology / Preexistence

John 8:58 Before Abraham Was Born, I Am

At the climax of a rather heated exchange between Jesus and certain antagonistic Jews, Jesus uttered what has become for some, a proof text of his preexistence in heaven as God.John 8:58-59 (NASB)  Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am." 59  Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. (emphasis added)When the above passage is read, especially without the preceding context, it appears the Jews…

11 Comments
June 4, 2019
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