Two renowned theologians go head-to-head in a rigorous, respectful debate on one of the most discussed passages in Scripture—**John 1:1–18**. 📖 **Thesis:** *"John 1 is not Trinitarian."* 📖 **Debate Format** * Opening Statements (30 min each) * Rebuttals (10 min each) * Cross-Examination (15 min each) * Audience Q&A (15 min) * Closing Statements (5 min each) **Highlights:** * Historical development of Trinitarian doctrine * The Greek grammar of *John 1:1* ("In the beginning was the Word…") * The meaning of "the Word was God" * Can the Bible teach the Trinity without the word "Trinity"? * Is the Word an eternal divine person, or God's own wisdom personified? Taking the **affirmative**, **Dr. Dale Tuggy** (Unitarian Christian Alliance) argues that John's prologue should be read through a first-century lens, without importing later Trinitarian concepts. Taking the **negative**, **Dr. James White** (Alpha & Omega Ministries) contends that the Greek text itself affirms the eternal deity of Christ and that the doctrine of the Trinity is rooted in Scripture, not post-biblical development. Dr. White defends the classical Trinitarian understanding that "the Word was God," while Dr. Tuggy argues from a Unitarian perspective that *John 1* does not teach a tri-personal God. Together, they explore Greek grammar, early church history, philosophy of time, and biblical theology — offering deep insights into how Christians have read this passage for centuries. 💬 **Moderator:** Jeremiah Nortier (*The Apologetic Dog*) 📍 Hosted by: Covenant Reformed Baptist Church 📅 Dr. White's 200th moderated public debate
Listened to Yuvul Harrari once again laying out the future of a dehumanized earth, and how to "hack" people. The WEF is straight out of a Bond movie, it really is. Then we looked at a number of Roman Catholic claims and Todd Erzen's (Steve Deace's producer) claim that lying is a "sacrament in James' church," and that I "blaspheme" the Roman Church "daily." We examined this attack in context, and then I invited Todd to come on the program, or, to have me on his, to discuss these issues. We will see if he takes me up on it!
When I saw a clip on line about Wes Huff causes a "demon" to come out of Amman Hallman, I had to click. Once I figured out the context, I noted that I was going to comment on it on today's DL. Wes contacted me and wanted to know if I would like him to join us, and of course I said yes! So we managed to snag a full hour from the busy young man as we talked text criticism, translation, and the odd, odd story of Amman Hallman and his amazing attacks upon Jesus and the Christian faith. All Greek geeks, TC aficionados, etc,. will love this one!
Everything sort of hooked up nicely today on the show, from talking about a Baptist converting to Anglicanism, into providing a response to a Roman Catholic on what true peace is (and how we obtain it) to my responding to Doug Wilson's comments to Ross Douthat on what it means to be a Christian and whether Roman Catholicism presents, or obscures, that reality.
Considered issues relating to Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy today, looked a bit at the new "Gay-washed" translation of the Bible accepted by the USCCB (the NRSVue), watched a video with someone washing the foot of a dead saint and then people fighting to get some of the water that fell from the foot, etc., all in reference to veneration and worship.
Started off talking about the passing of Russell Nelson, the 17th prophet of the LDS Church, and talking about the succession crisis in Mormonism, as his successor, Dallin Oaks, is 93 years of age. Then we looked at the newly installed Archbishop of Canterbury, a wild-eyed leftist woman, who truly seems to mirror the denigration of the UK in general, and the Church of England in specific. Finally, we looked at a bad week for Pope Leo, including the really weird blessing of "the waters" via a block of ice, and the unrolling of a big long (sorry, but it looked to me like a) slip-and-slide that the people in the audience (including Arnold Schwarzenegger!) then lifted up and down to make it look like flowing water. It was truly that bad. We talked about how Leo is truly the continuation of Francis, and how given his younger age and evident health, could present a long pontificate during which to confirm Francis' plans and change of direction of the Roman Church.
Two main topics today thrust upon us by recent events: the sudden ecumenical surge ("Yeah, the differences between Roman Catholics and Evangelicals really aren't definitional at all") and how it is being propagated, together with the furor over "Is Mormonism Christianity?" that has been prompted by Senator Mike Lee's promotion of Mormonism as basic Christianity in the aftermath of the Michigan tragedy. An hour and twenty minutes on topics we have addressed for decades.
I heard of the home-going of our dear brother Voddie Baucham right after I finished setting up the fifth wheel here in Oklahoma on my fast trip home from the East Coast. This is another audio-only edition, only thirty minutes in length, but I felt it was appropriate to comment on the brother's life and ministry and how we should think about the loss of men like Johnny Mac, Charlie Kirk, and now Voddie Baucham.
Trying to get back across the US two days faster than I had planned, so each day is a long one, and I am not feeling well. So, audio only, but did want to address a few topics like the Kirk memorial and how people are viewing how the gospel was presented, etc., and then also talked about Tucker Carlson's comments on Shariah law. Also addressed the "black culture" claims out of Ogden, and finally, about how Romans 12 is not about a general call the unbelievers to hate evil, etc. Just under forty minutes in length.
Today on a Road Trip DL from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, we report on ministry here and then talk a bit about Acts 20 and the words of Paul to elders that echo today loudly, to be sure. We talked a little more about Charlie Kirk, a little about "Defiant Baptist," and a bit more about Pope Leo and developments regarding whether he is, or isn't, continuing the policies and perspectives of Francis.
Today I covered the last few days in light of the Charlie Kirk murder, talking about grief, martyrdom, assassination, and the foolishness of telling people they should leave their churches. I will confess, I wandered around a bit---should have put that outline together, but didn't have time! Part of the "what you need to get done on the road" syndrome. But, hopefully helpful anyway!
Did an hour long program today on the road as we prepare for the "Harbor Freight G3" conference this weekend, as well as my debate with Dale Tuggy. Not sure if we going to get another show in tomorrow, we will see!
Another Road Trip Dividing Line today from eastern Oklahoma on my way to Nashville, Tennessee. Started off talking about the upcoming conferences and debates, including the big debate get-together in Dallas next February. Then we talked about Pope Leo and Father James Martin and the future of Roman Catholicism and the LGBTQ movement, which led naturally into a discussion about the interview Matt Fradd with with Fr. Josémaría M. Barbin, F.I. on the topic of Marian devotion. Played one section and interacted with it, but will do more in the future. A tremendous example of what happens when you abandon, and in fact, reject, vociferously and purposefully, sola scriptura.
This was a hot program! Mainly because the AC units had not yet caught up with the Arizona heat in the RV! Anyway, talked about the sad state of affairs, worldview wise, on social media, then talked about what the Bible says about purity in speech. Then we looked at a statement about the "Reformed Ghetto" from Joel Webbon and his view that Rome is not even in the top 50 issues to worry about today, and yet, how glorious "Christendom" once was! The next program will definitely be from on the road as I depart on Saturday for Tennessee.
Going to try to get two programs in before we head back out on the road, so hopefully Wednesday at 6pm EDT for the next one. Started off looking at some stuff that happened over the weekend, including people mocking Fritz Erbe, the man martyred by the sacralist Lutherans for not having his children baptized. We looked at the direction being taken by the young Christian Nationalists, and how it requires going soft on the key issues regarding Roman Catholicism. Then we moved back to David Allen's book and started looking specifically as his Romans 8 section.
Started off looking at a new video from Joel Webbon, who recently called Nick "F-Bomb" Fuentes a "political savant," where he had Dr. Taylor Marshall, former Protestant, now more-Catholic-than-the-Pope promoter of Papalism, to talk about (ready for this?) dispensationalism and the red heifer! Webbon is now amplifying his "Rome really isn't our enemy" theme, just as predicted by certain folks who were mocked and ridiculed for it months ago. Then we looked at a particularly bad (though very popular) anti-sola scriptura argument, and finished off noting that the new Pope is promoting Alfonsus Liguori, the author of the astonishingly idolatrous book, The Glories of Mary.
Three major portions to the program today, starting off with some observations on the relationship of the Prologue of the Gospel of John (John 1:1-18) to the Prologue of the First Epistle of John. Then we looked at a post on X from a few weeks ago presenting a very one-sided view of the supposed "Petrine Promise" in Matthew 16, and finished off with about twelve minutes more looking at David Allen's new book.
We continued looking at the unhinged attacks on Penal Substitutionary Atonement today, following up on yesterday's program. Looked at a lot of the reasons for the attacks, as well as the fact that you won't believe the doctrine without the highest view of Scripture, its sufficiency, and its consistency as well. Hopefully a blessing to those wondering why this topic keeps coming up over the years.
After a brief note of some words from Mark Miravalle about the "5th Marian Dogma" movement that continues to this day, we started talking about Penal Substitutionary Atonement, PSA, which exploded on social media a few days ago. It is not that denying PSA is anything new: it's a theological minority broadly speaking. But most evangelicals are unaware of its history, let alone the reasons offered to reject PSA by its opponents. So we started looking at the various kinds of objections, but ran out of time, so we will continue tomorrow at the same time (6pm EDT) with the same topic!
Had to keep it to an hour today, but we started looking at some statements from Dale Tuggy in his debate from a number of years ago with Michael Brown in preparation for my second debate with Dale in Tullahoma next month. Then we got back into David Allen's new book as we move toward it's attempt to deal with Romans 8.
Zach Bartels
Wow! I can’t believe how completely White demolishes every little toothpick and playing card holding up this guy’s arguments! I almost felt bad for the guy. 😆