Category: Judaism

7 Reasons Why Not To Think The Memra Of The Targums Is A Second Hypostasis Of God

By Troy Salinger

MemraThe purpose of this article is to counter some of the torrent of misinformation being promulgated on the internet concerning the ‘memra’ of the targums. Many of the claims made regarding the meaning and function of memra in the targums is greatly over-exaggerated or just plain false. Most of the misinformation and hyperbolic claims being disseminated by online apologists have been derived, whether correctly or incorrectly understood, from the work of two scholars – the Jewish Professor … Read the rest

The Shift from Messiah, Son of God, to Jesus as “God.”

by Sir Anthony Buzzard

downloadLee Strobel in his well known investigation of the Christian faith spoke with an evangelical professor, Ben Witherington. The conversation proceded as follows. Strobel said:

“Jesus tended to shy away from forthrightly proclaiming himself to be the Messiah or Son of God. Was that because he did not think of himself in those terms or because he had other reasons?”

Ben Witherington replied:

“No, its not because he did not think of himself in those terms. … Read the rest

The Dark Legacy of the Nicene Creed

by Carlos Xavier [source]

imagesThe Nicene Creed is an example of what happens when unbelievers (like pagan philosophers and especially politicians, like Roman emperors) get mixed up in religion.

First comes confusion, since the Creed itself is replete with ambigous and contradictory language.

For example, the creed violates the later trinitarian formula of 3 distinct hypostasis in 1 ousia or 3 Persons in 1 Being or Substance. According to the noted church historian Richard Hanson, “for at least the … Read the rest

Servetus, Jews, and Trinitarians

From “Did Calvin Murder Servetus?” by Stanford Rives,

[NOTE: This post is not to argue whether or not Calvin murdered Servetus (whojustinian was a Monotarian), but to show what has occurred in Church history when Governing Authorities dictate what Christians must believe or be treated as heretics (worthy of death in many cases, like Servetus). This has been especially true when it comes to the doctrine of “The Trinity.”

This excerpt is more about “Orthodox” anti-Semitism than it is about … Read the rest

What or Who is Logos

by Carlos Xavier

downloadMany assume that the “word” in John 1:1 is a person because in Greek logos is grammatically a masculine gender noun (logos) accompanied by masculine pronouns outos (he) and autou (his).

However, it’s a fundamental mistake to confuse grammatical gender with natural gender. In this case the inanimate object of “word” with an animate object, a human male person, no less!

This has led to the millennia old misinterpretation that John was describing the existence of Jesus … Read the rest

What Did Christianity Lose when it Parted from Judaism

The article was written by well respected scholar James Dunn, and this is from an article in Explorations vol 8, Num 2, 1994. (bolds are mine for emphasis)

1. Monotheism.

The simple answer is that Christianity lost the clarity of a belief in God as one,Judaism that is, one without further qualification.

Of course, Christianity continued to claim that it is and always has been a monotheistic faith. But there is no doubt that the doctrine of the Trinity, … Read the rest