Interview 31: Master’s University Prof. Finds Son of God, Loses Job (Bill Schlegel)

Bill Schlegel, professor and cofounder of The Master’s University extension program in Israel (IBEX), was studying the phrase “Son of God” and came to understand the term did not correlate with the traditional “God the Son” teaching, but instead meant God’s heir, the king he has designated to rule the world.  Although he had taught the bible faithfully in Israel for more than two decades, he knew that this discovery would cost him dearly.  In the end he lost his job at the institution he founded as well as any opportunity to preach and lead the church he helped to start.  He’s been maligned by many who used to regard him as a brother and blackballed in the evangelical world.  Why would Professor Schlegel go through all of this?  Why wouldn’t he just sign the statement of faith for another year and carry on in his work?  He had discovered a truth so profound and so irrefutable, that he could not hide it under a basket–he had to let it shine, even if it cost him everything.  Here is his story.

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15 thoughts on “Interview 31: Master’s University Prof. Finds Son of God, Loses Job (Bill Schlegel)

  • Hi Sean, great interview. My story is exactly like Mr. Schlegels. I was a Trinitarian for over 35 yrs. and as a result of studying what ‘son of God’ means in the OT I abandoned my former belief and came to believe in the pure humanity of Jesus and the unitary God of the OT. I have been in this new belief for about 16 months now. I put together my findings on my initial study of ‘son of God’, with additional material that I discovered since then, on my blog, in a six-part study. Please check it out if you get the time, I would appreciate your feedback. Your podcast has been a blessing to me. Keep up the good work and may the Lord bless your labor.

  • Interesting seeing once again, the Bible winning over church tradition. And the way we each speak of truth, from both sides of the divide.
    325 AD saw the Christian world divided. Until then all views were evident, though riots precipitated the idea of choosing one creed.
    Even though churches have rejected much of what came after in that Catholic church, they have failed to go back to the faith of the apostles.
    There is so much to see in a relatable Jesus, who suffered temptation, who truly died. No mystery, just wonder that a man could be perfected through so much, and be the first fruits of a rebirth of humanity.

    • William, Thank you for the correction. I didn’t realize they were different. I’ve updated the podcast title.

  • Finally got a chance to listen. Interesting how that study of “son of God” is what brought him out of the Trinity. I wouldn’t have thought of that but whatever gets you to the path to reconsider your beliefs.

    One of my main studies was the term “God” and I saw the overwhelming references referred to the Father clearly. Then it was just deducing and re-studying the harder ones that are so few that seemed to refer to Jesus.

    For something so recently to have occurred Bill doesn’t seem too concerned or upset. Maybe he’s just not trying to really show it though?

  • Hi my name is arnulfo (victor) contreras from Turlock California. I’ve been to a couple of shepherds conference with pastor John MacArthur and even though there are some issues I didn’t agree with him, because my church I attend now (Spanish church) embrace everything he teaches. But now I don’t know how long I will be at this church because I am moving away from trinity beliefs since about eight months now. Believe it or not the elder at our church announced in a church service about you “deflecting the faith” but when he said that my wife, my mother in law and I , just looked at each other.
    I had been praying to the Lord about “God the son” or Son of God” for a while and when I heard my elder say what he said about you I got encouraged and excited that the Lord had responded in this manner.
    Please give me a word of advice on how to go about al this. Thank you . And press on . God bless you and your family.

  • Wonderful interview and a real encouragement from a genuine truth-seeker committed to the authority of the Scriptures and our exalted Messianic Lord Jesus. I have posted this around already. Thanks Sean and thanks Bill.

  • Greetings Sean and other listeners! This is Bill’s brother, Todd Schlegel, from Switzerland. While I too am not a “trinitarian”, I do believe in the divinity of Christ, and have very strong biblical reasons for doing so. And Sean because you specifically mentioned John 10:30 and surrounding passages toward the end of your nice podcast with my brother, I’d strongly suggest that you listen to Mike Heiser’s Podcast #109, as linked immediately below:

    http://www.nakedbiblepodcast.com/naked-bible-109-john-10-gods-or-men/

    If, after listening to the above podcast, you have further “but what abouts?”, I’d then suggest next reviewing Heiser’s introductory materials on the “Divine Council” biblical worldview elsewhere on the Naked Bible website, specifically here: http://www.nakedbiblepodcast.com/shows/

    If you then still believe what you currently believe after reviewing all of the above materials (noting that I’d also highly recommend Heiser’s recent book “The Unseen Realm”, if you’ve not yet read it), then come back at me here with further comments/questions as I’d be happy to further discuss. Regards, Todd

  • Bill Schlegal, once you give up the trinity you will find that the Bible will really open up for you. Jesus sacrifice for us becomes even more powerful. I was inspired by your interview. The Trinity might just be the first of many church doctrines that are worth questioning.

  • Hi Thanks for the podcast.

    I don’t know if you’ve heard of the Christadelphains a denomination that formed around the same time as JW’s, but we hold the same Unitarian view point and have done from our formation in the mid 1800’s.
    We’ve got terrible internet presence made up of lots of terrible end timez stuff but we’re with you on this one!

    Tom

  • Some of us lose ‘friends’ … others will lose friends AND their job. But oh! How freeing it is reading the Scriptures.

  • where can we find the official statements from TMU? Either the link doesn’t work or they removed it.

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