In this episode our guest, theological author and blogger, TroySalinger, shows that the biblical metaphors “to come from heaven”, “to come from above” and “to come from God” are to be understood figuratively and apply to John the Baptist (and other Old Testament prophets) as well as to Jesus.  When referring to human beings, these figures of speech do not mean to literally descend from some existence in heaven.  Rather, the figures refer to humans being commissioned, instructed, authorized and empowered by God.In his exposition of John  The testimony of the Baptizer and Jesus is to believed because they (and their testimony) have come from God, from heaven. The testimony of the religious leaders on the other hand, is “from below, from the earth”, that is, of human origin.For the full text of this podcast, see Salinger’s blog “Letthe Truth Come Out”.https://letthetruthcomeoutblog.wordpress.com/2023/11/24/john-331-36-a-problematic-text/ Other resources:“I came down from heaven”:Metaphors in the Gospel of Johnhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egnYn2JHRjM Pre-incarnateAppearances of the Son of God in the Old Testament: Truth or Mythhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUqWXumvcp5p1klRmE6uAaU7uGSOMDuCX Is the Memra the Pre-incarnate Son of Godhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUqWXumvcp5rvmD5Q9dO68RFlfeg_cc8C #deityofchrist, #trinity, #biblicalunitarian, #troysalinger, #billschlegel --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/onegodreport-podcast/support