The Unseen Realm
by Michael S. Heiser | Book Summary
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Author: Michael S. Heiser
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Who are these "gods" who make up this "divine assembly?" Perhaps these "gods" are:
The most likely explanation is that Psalm 82:1 is referring to a "divine council" of spiritual beings that exist in the unseen realm. This divine council was created by God and tasked with overseeing life on earth. Many Christians hear these ideas and immediately scoff at the possibility of such an idea. This book was written to reshape your worldview so that your assumptions about reality align with those of the biblical authors. "My goal is simple. When you open your Bible, I want you to be able to see it like ancient Israelites or first-century Jews saw it, to perceive and consider as they would have. I want their supernatural worldview in your head." (p. 13, emphases in original) |
Michael Heiser is a scholar in the fields of biblical studies and the Ancient Near East. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Heiser has experience in teaching at the college level, both in the classroom and through distance education. Heiser currently serves as the Scholar-in-Residence for Logos Bible Software.
Heiser is a prolific writer, having written several books and many scholarly articles. In addition to his achievements and responsibilities, Heiser hosts a regular podcast and writes a regular blog, the Naked Bible Podcast and the Naked Bible Blog. His book Supernatural is a condensed version of his book The Unseen Realm.
The Unseen Realm
by Michael S. Heiser
[ Book Summary ]
| Author | Michael Heiser |
| Publisher | Lexham Press |
| Date | 2015 |
| Pages | 413 |
Overview:
Many Christians have read Psalm 82:1 without actually thinking about what the verse says. A literal English translation of the Hebrew reads, "God [elohim] stands in the divine assembly; he administers judgment in the midst of the gods [elohim]." (p. 11, brackets and emphases in original)
Who are these "gods" who make up this "divine assembly?" Perhaps these "gods" are:
- False gods, or idols: This interpretation is unlikely, as it seems odd that God would stand in the midst of this assembly.
- Jewish elders: This interpretation is also unlikely, as there is no evidence the God of Israel ever asked Jewish elders to rule over the nations.
- The three members of the Trinity: Again, this interpretation is unlikely, as Psalm 82 goes on to rebuke these elohim for their sin.
The most likely explanation is that Psalm 82:1 is referring to a "divine council" of spiritual beings that exist in the unseen realm. This divine council was created by God and tasked with overseeing life on earth.
Many Christians hear these ideas and immediately scoff at the possibility of such an idea. This book was written to reshape your worldview so that your assumptions about reality align with those of the biblical authors.
"My goal is simple. When you open your Bible, I want you to be able to see it like ancient Israelites or first-century Jews saw it, to perceive and consider as they would have. I want their supernatural worldview in your head." (p. 13, emphases in original)
Michael Heiser is a scholar in the fields of biblical studies and the Ancient Near East. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Heiser has experience in teaching at the college level, both in the classroom and through distance education. Heiser currently serves as the Scholar-in-Residence for Logos Bible Software.
Heiser is a prolific writer, having written several books and many scholarly articles. In addition to his achievements and responsibilities, Heiser hosts a regular podcast and writes a regular blog, the Naked Bible Podcast and the Naked Bible Blog. His book Supernatural is a condensed version of his book The Unseen Realm.