The Council of Nicaea: Dr. J. Warren Smith

The Council of Nicaea: Dr. J. Warren Smith

Dr. J. Warren Smith (PhD, Yale University) is professor of historical theology at Duke Divinity school. He’s written books about several periods in church history, focusing on important figures like Augustine, Ambrose, and Gregory of Nyssa. His most recent book is called “Early Christian Theology: A History,” which basically narrates the first 400 years of Church History. There are 14 chapters, all of which could make for a great conversation, but today I asked Dr. Smith about one particularly important moment in the history of Christianity called the council of Nicaea. Over 300 bishops met to settle some ongoing debates among Christians in the year 325, almost 300 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. By this point, Christianity had spread to many parts of the world, and it became increasingly important for Christian leaders to establish some common shared beliefs, establishing some guard rails on what was now a rapidly growing religion.

Jesus is like Moses, but more? w/Dr. Dale Allison

TheologyU hosts Christian academics and author to talk about their work in a way that anyone can understand. Historian Dale Allison joins TheologyU for the third time to discuss Jesus and his portrayal as a “new Moses” in the New Testament. Dr. Allison is among the most famous and well-respected Biblical scholars in the world, widely publishing work about the Old and New Testaments. He’s still Dearborn professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary. He’s a brilliant scholar and a gracious conversation partner. Moses is among the most important and commendable people in the Old Testament. He speaks directly with God, confronts Pharoah, and leads the people out of Egypt- serving as their mediator with God throughout.It makes sense that Jesus, the liberator of all people and our permanent mediator with the Father, would resemble Moses in some ways, but the parallels go much deeper. Both Jesus himself and the Gospel writers who recount his life picked up on and emphasized the ways that he re-enacts many of the things Moses did. At the end of this episode, we also talk about some of the critical ways Jesus is differentiated from Moses, and anyone else for that matter, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth noticing and learning from the similarities, too. What is Biblical typology?Is Jesus like Moses?Does Jesus fulfill prophecy?How does Jesus relate to Deuteronomy 18?Did Jesus believe he was the Messiah?Does Matthew create the Jesus-Moses typology?Is the New Testament reliable?

We Need Help to Read the Bible: Dr. Max Botner

TheologyU hosts Christian academics and authors to talk about their work in a way that anyone can understand. Dr. Max Botner is associate professor for the school of theology and leadership at Jessup University and the director of their center for bible study. His PhD in New Testament Studies is from the University of St. Andrews. Dr. Botner's newest book is called: How then shall we read? A Students Guide to Interpreting the New Testament Why should I read the Bible? How do I read the Bible? Acts 8 and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Writing on the Wall: Daniel 5 with Dr. John Walton and Dr. Aubrey Buster

TheologyU hosts Christian academics and authors to talk about their work in a way that anyone cane understand. Today, we walk through a close reading of the book of Daniel, chapter 5. Dr. John Walton is emeritus professor of Old Testament at Wheaton college and a true legend in the world of Evangelical study of the Bible.  His PhD is from Hebrew Union college and he specializes in the Old Testament and its cultural background- what scholars refer to as the Ancient Near East.  Dr. Aubrey Buster is associate professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. Her PhD is from Emory University and she joins TheologyU for the second time to talk about the book of Daniel.

Why 27 Books in the New Testament? with Dr. Joel B. Green

TheologyU hosts Christian academics and authors to talk about their work in a way that anyone can understand. Dr. Joel B. Green is senior professor of New Testament interpretation at fuller seminary. His PhD is from the university of Aberdeen in Scotland. He’s written or edited 55 books along with countless essays and reviews.  Today's conversation is based on his new book, Introducing the New Testament: Its Literature and Theology. Who wrote the New Testament? Is the Bible reliable? Where did the New Testament come from? Who decided on the New Testament books? What does the Bible teach?