You Tube Theology

In this theologically rich episode, Mike Tolliver joins Dru Johnson to explore how the ancient biblical concept of storge—familial love—offers a deeper understanding of adoption, baptism, and election in Scripture. Drawing from his academic research and personal experiences with fatherhood and adoption advocacy, Tolliver contrasts modern views of adoption with the Torah’s robust framework of the kinsman redeemer (go'el), a system based on extended kinship obligations.

He argues that while adoption is beautiful, the Torah’s kinship model eliminates uncertainty for vulnerable individuals by embedding care within the family system. This, he contends, reflects a deeper form of storge love often overlooked in modern theological discourse.

The conversation touches on why Paul uses Roman adoption metaphors instead of Israel’s kinsman redeemer language when describing Gentile inclusion in God’s family. They also explore the metaphysical implications of Jesus’ Jewish identity and its relationship to the election of Israel, along with provocative insights about why circumcision and baptism are intentionally not equated in the New Testament.

This episode offers a profound reconsideration of biblical love, family, and identity—grounding major doctrines in kinship and care rather than abstraction. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in the theological depth of everyday relationships.

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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:03 The Kinsman Redeemer: A Social Safety Net
07:28 Storge and Kinsman Redeemer in Biblical Context
12:14 Theological Implications of Kinship, Circumcision, and Election