Responses to Jamal Badawi's "Radio Al-Islam Channel RA 200"

Later Unitarians V : Emlyn and Lindsey


Introduction

In this segment, Dr. Badawi uses Emlyn and Briddle as an excuse to repeat many of the arguments that he made in earlier sections. Most of the arguments in this section are closer to the beliefs of the Jehovah's Witnesses than the Unitarians.

Host: How did other contemporaries of Briddle express their views?

Jamal Badawi: John Locke, the one who wrote the Social Contract. He was persecuted for his political views and had to leave England until he returned in 1688 after the revolution. He was worried about religious persecution because he was a Unitarian and was very cautious. He wrote a monograph about reason, which the authorities did not like. He kept on good terms with the Church which some believe was instrumental in the passage of the Toleration Act in 1689. Another was Sir Isaac Newton, but like Locke he did not profess his belief openly. Some historians say that in 1690 he wrote a letter to Locke in which he comments on two texts in the Bible. 1 John 5:7, the one that was used to prove Trinity, and he said in spite of the severe argument at the time of Jerome about the Trinity, no proponent ever referred to this text to support his view. This verse appeared for the first time in the third edition of Erasmus' New Testament. In 1952, the RSV omitted this verse.

This passage is recognized by a majority of Christian scholars as an extrapolation since 1 John 5:7 is not found in any early Greek manuscripts. This text appeared in a fifth century Latin translation, one century after the Church established the doctrine of the Trinity. This verse most likely found its way into the Bible through a "gloss" (a comment written in the margins of a page in a Bible) which was accidentally included in the Latin Bible. Erasmus included the verse in his translation of the Greek Bible, under political pressure, but against his better judgement. 1 John 5:7 found its way into the King James Version since it was, in part, based on Erasmus' text. The most important fact to remember is that 1 John 5:7 WAS NOT mentioned at the Council of Nicea and was not used to formulate the doctrine of the Trinity, or to defend it.

The second was 1 Timothy 3:16 which says that God was manifest in the flesh. He said that during the Arian controversy, no one referred to this text because Arius upheld the unity of God and said that Jesus was a human being, if this verse existed, we would find a reference in the debate. In the KJV, it says great is the mystery of Godliness, the RSV says that great is of our religion. In the RSV it does not speak about God, but Jesus, it says that Jesus manifested in the flesh. In both the KJV and RSV, when it speaks about Jesus one said he was received, the other says that he was taken, taken by whom, it can't be God but a servant. Newton said about the Trinity "Let them make good sense of it who are able for my part I can make none. If it be said that we cannot determine what is scripture by our private judgement, I confess it where it is not controversial. In disputed places, I love to take what I can best understand, it is the superstitious part where man likes mysteries is what I like least".

1 Timothy 3:16:

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

In addition to the King James, the NASB and NIV translations also use the Greek word eusebeia as godliness, which is the correct translation of this word.

I am not sure if, or why, people did or did not cite this verse during the Arian controversy. Dr. Badawi continues to distort the views of Arius when he claims that Arius believed that Jesus was only a human being. According to Arius, Jesus is neither fully divine nor fully human. It is important to remember that Arius believed that Jesus was the Son of God and that He died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected on the third day.

Host: Could you elaborate on Thomas Emlyn, who was he?

Jamal Badawi: He was born in 1663 in Dublin, he was a preacher and was very popular. One of his congregation noted that he avoided any statements about the Trinity and he was questioned. He answered that he believed in the one God and Jesus derived all power from God alone. He moved to England and was arrested in 1703 for heresy. He was guilty of publishing "An Humble Inquiry in the Scriptural Account of Jesus Christ". That book was based on one verse John 14:28 where Jesus said that the Father was greater than I. Jesus was a mediator, not God. He was not allowed to defend himself at the trial and was accused of writing an infamous and scandalous Bible that Jesus is not the supreme God. He had a choice of one year in prison or a fine of 1000 Pounds. He appealed but he was publically humiliated and his fine was reduced to 70 Pounds.

John 14:28:

"You heard that I said to you, `I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I."

Once again, Dr. Badawi brings out his favorite Jehovah's Witness argument against the divinity of Jesus. The term greater, in this passage refers to Jesus' position, not His nature. The term better refers to nature. If we read Philippians 2:6-8 we find that Jesus though He was in the form of God, did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped but emptied Himself and submitted Himself to the Father and took on the form of a servant. Though Jesus emptied Himself, He was always in nature God and equal to the Father in nature. If Jesus wanted to say He was inferior to God in nature, He would have said, "The Father is better than I."

If the Bible wanted to say that God was better than Jesus, this verse would be similar to Hebrews 1:4 :

"So he became as much superior to the angels...."

In this passage, we see that Jesus is superior to the angels, so the term better is used. For more information on the Jehovah's Witnesses distortion of the Bible, which is also the source of much of Dr. Badawi's material, please read Jehovah's Witnesses and the Trinity.

Host: What else did he say that got him into trouble?

Jamal Badawi: He said that God owes nothing to anyone. He warned that the term god is sometimes used to refer to someone who has subordinate authority in the Bible and is sometimes used in plural to refer to angel and humans as in Psalm 82:1-6, 8:5; Exodus 7:1; and John 10:34-35. He said that Satan is called the god of this world. God alone is above all that and is the God of gods. In what way was God used to refer to Jesus who never said that he was God, never. How was the term used? Jesus was described as god because he had subordinate authority 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 where there is a difference between Jesus and God. Did Jesus have any God above Him with more power and authority. He said yes and gave three evidences:

Before we look at the "evidence", we need to clear up several issues. The word "god" is indeed used in the Bible to refer to other beings that God. However, the context in which this term is used must be kept in mind when a passage is interpreted. Jesus DID claim divinity in many passage, including :

Mark 14:61-64:

But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death.

Matthew 16:15-16

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Did Jesus object to Peter's statement? No!

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.

John 5:17-19:

Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I, too, am working." For this reason the Jews tried all the harder to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

How did Jesus respond?

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does

Please think about what Jesus said in this passage and put aside Dr. Badawi's attempts to distort it out of context. Jesus cannot do anything by himself and can only do what the Father does because He and the Father are One. Jesus does not say that he can only do what the Father tells Him to do, He can only do what the Father does, making Him equal to the Father. In fact, Jesus is doing what God is doing, which makes them One! If you question my interpretation, ask yourself one question: why did the Jewish leaders want to execute Jesus for blasphemy if He was merely saying that He can do only what God allows, or tells, Him to do? Unlike Dr. Badawi, these men understood exactly what Jesus was saying, but like Dr. Badawi, they did not believe.

1. Jesus speaks of God as distinct, he said my God. Matthew 27:46, if Jesus were God he would have said myself why have you forsaken me? In John 20:17, how could God go to God.

Jesus cried out in anguish when he asked God why he had been forsaken. I cannot imagine the pain that the Lord endured since he was fully human as well as fully God.

John 20:17

Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, `I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God."

Once again, read the entire Chapter, especially verses 26-31:

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

2. Jesus indicated that He derived his authority from God speaking and doing what God wants. John 5:30.

By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

Jesus and God the Father are One, that is why Jesus can do nothing by Himself. The words which Jesus speaks are the words of God and the actions that are performed by Jesus are the actions of God the Father. Jesus can only do and say what the Father does and says because they are One.

3. Jesus disclaimed infinite knowledge. Mark 13:32 Jesus denied that he knew the hour. This means that God has a contradictory nature. He believed that Jesus was a teacher who he admired. How could we say that the Father is not greater than Jesus contradicting His words. In 1712 he published "Scriptural Doctrine of the Trinity" where he gave 1251 passages from the Bible to prove that the Father was supreme.

Perhaps Jesus did not know the hour because he assumed our human nature and, like all of us, needed to live by faith and obedience. Jesus could have been unaware of the hour simply because He did not want to know. I believe that Jesus was trying to tell us that it is presumptuous, for humans to attempt to determine ( by mathematical calculation and over-analyzing prophecy) what the Son of God did not know, or did not want to know.

Host: Let's begin with Linsdey?

Jamal Badawi: He was born in 1723 in England. He organized the first Unitarian congregation in England. His first service was attended by many prominent people including Priestly and Benjamin Franklin. Lindsey was impressed with his audience and it led to other congregations.

Host: How did Lindsey interpret Jesus and his relationship to God?

Jamal Badawi: According to Park's "The Ethic of Unitarianism" Lindsey said, in an address to students at Oxford, which he called the facts, clear and plain. He had three important facts:

1. There is one single person who is God, sole creator.

2. Jesus was a man of the Jewish nation and a servant of God.

3. The Holy Spirit was the extra ordinary power/gift of God.

Lindsey said that these were the fundamental doctrine taught by the Apostles.

No. The Apostles taught that Jesus was also the creator (John 1:3 and Colossians 1:15-17) and the Holy Spirit is called the creator in Job 33:4 and 26:13. The Holy Spirit is much more that a gift, in fact, the Holy Spirit is called God in Acts 5:3-4.

Host: Did Lindsey write any books?

Jamal Badawi: Yes, he had three books. "Two Dissertations" (1779), "An Historical View of the State of Unitarian Doctrine" (1783), and "A List of False Readings from the Scriptures" (1790). He negates that Jesus ever claimed to be God, nor does He say that through Him all things were made.

He was wrong, Jesus did claim divinity, please refer to Mark 14:61-64:

But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death.

He talked about 1 John 5:7 saying that a pious Jew could never say this. He compared John with the other three and said that none of those authors of the three refer to Jesus as God or the word made flesh. If they knew Jesus as the creator, they would not have kept silent.

We already agreed on 1 John 5:7. Paul also believed that Jesus was the creator in Colossians 1:15-17:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Even John, even in spite of the beginning, John never called Jesus God anywhere else. He said that John refers to Jesus as subordinate to God.

John did say that Jesus is God in other passages. Once again, please read John 20:26-31:

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

I recommend that Dr. Badawi puts away his Jehovah's Witness literature and picks up a Bible before he makes more silly, and untrue, statements!

If you analyze Luke, Jesus did not exist before his birth referring to chapters 3, 4, 7, and 17 where his lineal descent is mentioned and he was called a prophet and servant and man approved by God. Lindsey wrote in a passionate way.

The Son of God always existed. He became Jesus when He was incarnated.

Host: Can you give some examples?

Jamal Badawi: Based on his reading John 20:17, Luke 11:1-2, 1 Kings 8:27, he asks those who worship Jesus how they would react if Jesus appeared and asked why they direct their devotion to him, did he ever ask for such a thing? Did he ask the disciples to pray to him or call him God?

Jesus wanted His followers to realize who He was. In the end, the disciple recognized Jesus as God.


Andrew Vargo


Responses to Jamal Badawi's "Radio Al-Islam Channel RA 200"
Answering Islam Home Page