Nathaniel and Thomas' Discussion with Rodan 

Andrew declared on Sunday morning, September 18, 29 CE, that no work would occur in the coming week. Except for Nathaniel and Thomas, the apostles visited family or friends at home. Jesus rested nearly completely this week while Nathaniel and Thomas were busy talking to Rodan, a philosopher from Alexandria. A colleague of Abner who worked in Alexandria had taught this Greek about Jesus. Rodan had gone to Magadan to discuss his life philosophy and Jesus' new religious teachings. He also wanted a personal, authorized gospel from Jesus or one of his apostles. Though the Master declined to meet with Rodan, he cordially received him and told Nathaniel and Thomas to listen to him and inform him about the gospel.Rodan gave ten addresses to Nathaniel, Thomas, and a group of around two dozen believers in Magadan beginning early Monday morning. Condensed, integrated, and reiterated in contemporary language, these presentations offer the following thoughts:

The central point of contention in the early discussions was the personality of God. Rodan, coming from a Greek philosophical background, initially argued against the concept of God as a person. His reasoning was based on the idea that personality requires communication between equals, which he believed was impossible for an infinite being.Thomas and Nathaniel, however, were convinced of God's personality based on their experiences and Jesus' teachings. They engaged in a systematic debate with Rodan, presenting arguments that gradually shifted his perspective. Nathaniel's approach was particularly effective, using logical steps to build a case for God's personality.The apostles argued from various angles, including the concept of the Trinity, Jesus' equality with the Father, and the nature of the Father-Son relationship. They also pointed to Jesus as a personal revelation of the Father, using this as evidence of God's ability to communicate with humanity.

A significant portion of the discussions focused on the divine nature of Jesus. Nathaniel and Thomas presented a comprehensive case for Jesus' divinity, drawing from their personal experiences and observations. They outlined several key points:

1. Jesus' own admission of his divinity and the miraculous events surrounding his ministry.
2. His exemplary life and unparalleled friendship, even towards sinners and enemies.
3. The perfection of his character, wisdom, and piety.
4. His unique emotional control and compassion.
5. His superhuman knowledge and communion with celestial personalities.
6. His authoritative teaching and assertions about his relationship with the Father.
7. The naturalness with which he spoke about his divine nature.

The apostles emphasized that Jesus' combination of humanity and divinity was unique. They pointed out his ability to respond to human needs, his emotional depth, and his perfect righteousness as evidence of his divine nature.

The conversations between Rodan and the apostles delved into complex philosophical and theological territory. They explored the concept of the Trinity, which played a crucial role in convincing Rodan of the possibility of God's personality. The idea that the Father could communicate equally with the Son and the Spirit opened up the possibility of personality within the Godhead.The discussions also focused on Jesus as the personal revelation of the Father. This concept was crucial in bridging the gap between abstract philosophical ideas about God and the personal, relational God of Jesus' teachings. Rodan was particularly impressed by the idea that Jesus could be both fully human and fully divine, a paradox that aligned with his philosophical understanding of ultimate reality.

These interactions had a profound impact on all participants. For Rodan, they resulted in a significant shift in his philosophical and religious views. He moved from skepticism about God's personality to accepting a personal deity, albeit one whose personality transcended human understanding. Rodan's final position was that God is "infinitely more than a personality; he cannot be anything less."For Nathaniel and Thomas, these discussions deepened their understanding of their own faith and provided them with new philosophical frameworks to express their beliefs. The process of articulating and defending their views on Jesus' divinity likely strengthened their convictions and prepared them for future ministry.

Following these discussions, Rodan returned to Alexandria, where he continued to teach philosophy at the school of Meganta. However, his encounters with the apostles and acceptance of Jesus' teachings had a lasting impact. Rodan became "a mighty man in the later affairs of the kingdom of heaven."Rodan's influence also extended beyond his lifetime. His integration of Greek philosophy with Christian teachings foreshadowed later developments in Christian theology. The synthesis of faith and reason demonstrated in these discussions would become a hallmark of Christian intellectual tradition.The interactions between Rodan, Nathaniel, and Thomas highlight the power of intellectual and spiritual dialogue in shaping religious thought. They demonstrate how the early Christian message engaged with and transformed existing philosophical frameworks, creating a tapestry of ideas that would influence the development of Christian theology for centuries to come.