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The God-Man

This teaching focuses on who Jesus truly is according to Scripture and why partial belief is not enough to save. Many belief systems affirm certain truths about Jesus while denying others, but Scripture makes clear that salvation is grounded in the real Christ, not a version of Him shaped by preference or tradition. This message calls us to move beyond “close enough” theology and trust in the fully revealed Christ, who is both fully God and fully man, and whose death and resurrection are the foundation of the gospel.

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Close enough theology does not save!

Defend the Word Ministries – Sermon Resource Guide

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Follow the order below for a guided study. Begin with the “Start Here” resources, then move into deeper material as desired. All resources will open directly to the appropriate paper on Academia.

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Jesus’ Identity and the Trinity

Foundations of the Trinity

Understanding God’s Nature (Triadology)

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​The Theological Unity Equation

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The Identity of Jesus

 

The Hypostatic Union (Theanthropos, The God-Man)

Foundational Understanding

Full Theological Model

 

Why Partial Belief Fails

Core Doctrine of the Trinity

Responding to Objections

 

Jesus and Pagan “Copycat” Claims

Overview of the Claims

 

Islam and Christological Contrast

The Gospel and the Injil

The Nature of God’s Speech and Identity

 

Historical and Patristic Context

Church History and Development

Apologetic Framework

 

Psalm 22 and the Crucifixion

Overview and Key Arguments

Full Theological Study

 

For those who want to explore beyond this teaching, the full library of papers and audio downloads is available here: GeneWilliamsJr.academia.edu

ADDITIONAL SOURCES 

John of Damascus

  • Writings. Edited by Hermigild Dressler. Translated by Frederic H. Chase Jr. Vol. 37 of The Fathers of the Church. Washington, DC: The Catholic University of America Press, 1958.

  • Islam: On Heresies, Heresy 101

    • Perichoresis: De Fide Orthodoxa, Book I, Chapter 8; Book I, Chapter 14; Book III, Chapters 3–4

Qur'an references concerning Jesus (ʿĪsā)

  • Virgin birth: Surah 3:45–47; Surah 19:16–21

  • Miracles: Surah 3:49; Surah 5:110

  • Messiah (al-Masīḥ): Surah 3:45; Surah 4:171

  • Called the “Word of God” (kalimatuhu): Surah 3:45; Surah 4:171

  • Return at the end time: implied in Surah 4:159; developed in Hadith literature

  • Denial of crucifixion: Surah 4:157

  • Denial of divinity and Sonship: Surah 5:72–75; Surah 9:30; Surah 112:1–4

Jehovah's Witnesses

  • Jesus is the first created being: New World Translation, Colossians 1:15; The Watchtower, April 1, 2010, p. 4

  • Identified with Michael the Archangel before and after earthly life: Insight on the Scriptures, vol. 2, “Michael,” pp. 393–394; The Watchtower, December 15, 1984, p. 29.

  • Denies the Trinity and the full deity of Christ: Should You Believe in the Trinity? (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1989), pp. 8–9; Reasoning from the Scriptures (1985), pp. 405–410.

  • Teaches Jesus was raised as a spirit being, not bodily: The Watchtower, July 15, 1984, p. 31; Reasoning from the Scriptures, pp. 334–339.

​Seventh-day Adventist Movement

  • Early Adventist leaders held anti-Trinitarian views, rejecting the full deity of Christ and the personhood of the Holy Spirit: James White, The Day-Star (1846); Joseph Bates, The Opening Heavens (1846); J. N. Andrews, Review and Herald (1855).

  • Some Adventist interpretations identify Jesus with Michael the Archangel, understood as a title or role rather than a created being: Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p. 430; Questions on Doctrine (1957), pp. 71–72.

  • The movement experienced documented prophetic failures, particularly regarding the expected return of Christ in 1844 (the “Great Disappointment”): Ellen G. White, Early Writings (1882), pp. 14–20; historical accounts of the Millerite movement.

  • Doctrinal development over time led to a formal affirmation of the Trinity, though this represents a shift from earlier positions: Seventh-day Adventist Fundamental Beliefs (1980), Beliefs 2–5; George R. Knight, The Development of Seventh-day Adventist Beliefs (2000).

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

  • God the Father (Elohim), Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are three distinct beings: Doctrine and Covenants 130:22; Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 370.

  • The Trinity is understood as unity of purpose, not one being: Gospel Topics, “Godhead” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org); James E. Talmage, Articles of Faith, ch. 2.

  • Jesus is the literal spirit Son of the Father: The Family: A Proclamation to the World (1995); Gospel Principles (2011), ch. 2.

  • Humans may be exalted to godhood: Doctrine and Covenants 132:20; Lorenzo Snow, quoted in Teachings of the Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, p. 83.

  • The Father possesses a physical body: Doctrine and Covenants 130:22; Joseph Smith, Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 181.

  • God was once mortal (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 354)

  • LDS views on Heavenly Father and marriage: Doctrine teaches God is married eternally (implying a Heavenly Mother) as part of exaltation and eternal families (D&C 132:19–20)

  • Eternal increase (spirit offspring): Exalted men and women may participate eternally in spirit offspring as part of exaltation (Doctrine and Covenants 132:19–20; Gospel Topics, “Becoming Like God”). In LDS temple practice, women receive a sacred “new name” associated with temple ordinances needed to get into Heaven. (D&C 131:2–3; D&C 132:19–20).

 

GENERAL RESOURCES

  • YHWH is Jesus: For his published academic work on Paul’s use of YHWH texts, see David B. Capes, Old Testament Yahweh Texts in Paul’s Christology. For a more accessible, popular-level synthesis, see The Divine Christ.

  • Collection of Christian texts pre-Nicaea in AD 325

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