SERMONS & VIDEOS BY DAVID WILBER
Did I Win My Debate With R. L. Solberg on Acts 15?
Did I win my debate with R. L. Solberg on Acts 15? Some of Solberg’s followers have conceded that my position was “technically right,” but they argue that I still failed to establish the debate proposition. In this brief recap, I respond to that objection, explain why the Apostolic Decree required Gentile believers to keep commandments from the Law of Moses, and clarify my use of early Christian writers such as Justin Martyr.
DEBATE: Did the Apostles Require Gentiles to Keep Torah in Acts 15? (David Wilber vs. R. L. Solberg)
Did the apostles require Gentile believers to keep the Law of Moses (Torah) in Acts 15? David Wilber and R. L. Solberg debate the Jerusalem Council, the Apostolic Decree, and the biblical role of Torah for Gentile believers.
Does Colossians 2:16–17 Abolish the Sabbath and Festivals?
Did Paul reject the ongoing relevance of the Sabbath and festivals commanded in the Torah? Many people point to Colossians 2:16–17 as proof that he did. However, a growing number of scholars call that interpretation into question. Scholars argue that the Colossian believers actually observed the biblical calendar and that they were being criticized by ascetic opponents who did not. In this video, I draw on that scholarship to show why I believe that Colossians 2:16–17 does not invalidate the Sabbath and festivals but instead affirms their value.
The Law of Liberty vs. the Sin of Partiality (James 2:1–9)
In James 2:1–9, James instructs believers to "show no partiality," warning them that to do so is sin and a transgression of the Torah. The Messianic community had fallen into the trap of judging people by outward appearance, showing greater honor to the rich while dishonoring the poor. James makes it clear that such partiality has no place among the people of God. In this teaching, we’ll examine why partiality is so damaging to the body of Messiah and what it means to walk in the Law of liberty by loving our neighbor without selfish motives or personal gain.
In Him You Have Been Filled (Colossians 2)
What does true fulfillment actually look like, and where is it found? In this message on Colossians 2, David Wilber unpacks Paul’s warning against deceptive philosophies that do not align with the Messiah. Instead of chasing ideas and practices that may appear wise but ultimately lack any power to restrain the flesh, Paul redirects our focus to the “fullness” believers already have in the Messiah. We also examine Paul’s instruction not to let anyone pass judgment “in matters of food and drink or with regard to a festival, a new moon, or a Sabbath.” Is Paul dismissing these Torah practices, or is there another interpretation?
R. L. Solberg's Flawed Approach to Scripture
In this video, we look at R. L. Solberg’s approach to Scripture by focusing on his mishandling of Matthew 5:17–20. Rather than considering the immediate context, Solberg ignores it completely and appeals to other, unrelated texts to argue that Jesus could not have meant what he said in this passage. This eisegetical approach raises serious doubts about his reliability as a biblical interpreter.
Nick Fuentes is Wrong About the Law of Moses, Israel, and the New Testament
Nick Fuentes claims that the New Testament has replaced the Hebrew Scriptures ("Old Testament"), that Jesus has replaced the Law of Moses, and that Christians have replaced Israel. This video explains why he is wrong.
The Law and the Promise (Interview w/ Jonathan A. Brown)
Is the Law contrary to God’s promise? According to Paul in Galatians 3:21, the answer is no. However, many Christians interpret Paul’s letter to the Galatians in the exact opposite way. Galatians is often regarded as the definitive rejection of Torah observance for believers. But is that view biblical? That’s the subject of the new book, “The Law and the Promise: A Pronomian Pocket Guide to Galatians 3–4” by Jonathan Brown. I’m excited to have Jonathan with us to discuss his book and why we should take seriously Paul’s own answer to this question.
What is Pronomian Theology?
Pronomian theology, or pronomianism, is a way of reading Scripture that affirms the ongoing authority of God’s Law given through Moses (Torah). In this video, we explore how pronomianism contrasts with antinomianism and how various Christian communities like Messianic Judaism and the Seventh Day Baptists approach the Torah today. If you’ve ever wondered about the relevance of commandments such as the Sabbath, festivals, and food laws in Christian ethics, this short video will give you a basic introduction to pronomian theology.
How to Celebrate Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah
In this teaching, we explore why Yom Teruah (also known as the Day of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah) matters to Christians, how it points to the Messiah’s Second Coming, and practical ways it can be celebrated today.
Jesus and the Law of Moses (Interview w/ Dr. Paul Sloan)
What if Jesus’s disputes with other teachers over the Law of Moses weren’t about criticizing legalism or external rituals? What if, as the authoritative interpreter of the Law, Jesus was actually criticizing misinterpretation and transgression? In his new book, Jesus and the Law of Moses, Dr. Paul Sloan offers a fresh perspective on how the Gospels depict Jesus’s teaching on the Law—and this perspective challenges some common assumptions about Jesus’s relationship to the Law. I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Sloan to the channel to discuss his book.
The Jerusalem Council: Applying the Torah to Gentiles (Acts 15)
Is the Torah (Law of Moses) relevant to Gentile followers of the Messiah? Many say no, citing the Jerusalem Council event in Acts 15 as proof. In this message, David Wilber challenges that common interpretation through a careful reading of this passage within its historical and theological context. Far from rejecting the Torah, we’ll see how the apostles wisely and faithfully applied the Torah to Gentile believers joining the Messianic Jewish community.
Love and the Law: A Pronomian Reading of John 14:15 (Interview w/ Dr. Benjamin Szumskyj)
Jesus told his disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” But what exactly did he mean his commandments? Was he referring only to the commandment to love, only to the teachings given during his earthly ministry, or also to the commandments found in the Torah (Law of Moses)? That is the subject of the new book by Dr. Benjamin Szumskyj titled Love and the Law: A Pronomian Pocket Guide to John 14:15. I’m excited to have Dr. Szumskyj with us to today discuss his book on this important verse.
It is Not "Satanic" to Agree with the Apostolic Decree
A popular account on X (formerly Twitter) recently labeled me a “Judaizer” for agreeing with the Apostolic Decree in Acts 15:20. Other folks then piled on, calling me “Satanic,” a “heretic,” and all sorts of other names. In this video, I’ll explain why it should not be controversial to believe that the four commandments of the Apostolic Decree are still relevant. As I’ll demonstrate, these four commandments are consistently affirmed throughout the New Testament and early Christian writings.
Did Peter's Vision in Acts 10 Abolish God's Food Laws? (Interview w/ R. M. Bailey)
Did God revoke his food laws? Did he abolish the distinction between clean and unclean animals? Many argue that he did based on Peter’s vision in Acts chapter 10. However, recent scholarship is challenging that interpretation. In his new book, Whom God Has Made Clean: A Pronomian Pocket Guide to Acts 10:9–15, my guest, R. M. Bailey, argues that Peter’s vision isn’t about food at all. Bailey challenges popular antinomian interpretations and offers a pronomian reading that better fits both the immediate context and the broader biblical narrative. I’m excited to talk to him about this important passage.
"Nothing is Unclean"? Examining Romans 14:14 (Interview w/ Rob Vanhoff)
What did Paul mean in Romans 14:14 when he wrote, "nothing is unclean in itself"? Did he believe that the Torah's distinction between clean and unclean food had been erased? Or is he talking about something else entirely? Joining me today to discuss this is Rob Vanhoff. He is a biblical scholar, author, and instructor at TelosTorah Bible Academy. I'm excited to have Rob with us to talk about this passage.
Does the Torah Speak to the Value of the Unborn? (Interview w/ Dr. Carmen Imes)
What does the Torah say about the value of the unborn? There is an interesting law in Exodus 21:22-25 that speaks to this question. Here to discuss this with me is Dr. Carmen Imes, an Old Testament scholar, author, and Associate Professor at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology. She’s currently working on a commentary on Exodus and brings valuable insights into this important passage. We also explore how this passage informs contemporary debates about abortion.
Marital Intimacy on the Sabbath: Does it Violate the Commandment?
Is marital intimacy on the Sabbath a violation of the commandment to keep the seventh day holy? The Rabbis say no, but the author of the book of Jubilees says yes. Which view is more aligned with Scripture?
What Wes Huff Got RIGHT About the Sabbath on the Joe Rogan Experience
Joe Rogan recently welcomed Christian scholar and apologist Wes Huff to his podcast for a three-hour discussion on Christianity and the Bible. In this video, I want to highlight a great point Wes made about the Sabbath and the Law of Moses.
Rabbi Tovia Singer is Wrong About Paul's Position on the Law of Moses
In a recent video, Rabbi Tovia Singer argues that Paul detested the Law of Moses and taught that Christians don’t need to keep it. However, Rabbi Singer’s objection relies on an outdated, antinomian reading of Paul, which does not accurately reflect the true Paul depicted in the Pauline epistles and Acts. In this video, we address Rabbi Singer’s claims and clarify Paul’s stance on the Law of Moses.