There is much discussion online at this time of year as to the presumed pagan origins of Christmas. December 25, we are told, was a date stolen from pagan worship, specifically from the festival of the “Birth of the Unconquered Sun” (Sol Invictus)? Should Christians...
idolatry
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 130: ETS-SBL Interviews with Scholars – Part 3
During the recent annual meetings for biblical studies scholars held in San Antonio, Dr. Heiser interviewed a number of scholars about their recent work. In Part 3 of those interviews, we hear again from David Burnett, a familiar voice on the podcast, and meet Dr....
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 122 – Ezekiel 14-15
The words of Ezekiel 14-15 were addressed to Jewish elders in Babylon who had come to Ezekiel for a word from the Lord. Knowing they were still idol worshippers in their hearts, God refused to give them comfort. Instead he lowered the boom: Jerusalem’s judgment was...
Ancient City Gate Associated with the Time of Hezekiah Under Excavation
Here’s the story. Here’s how the piece begins: An ancient city gate and shrine that King Hezekiah ordered to be destroyed during the eighth century B.C., according to the Hebrew Bible, are seeing the light of day following an excavation in Israel,...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 117 – Ezekiel 8 & 9
The episode is now live. In this episode, Dr. Michael Heiser explores Ezekiel 8-9, one of the most revealing sections about spiritual corruption and sacred space in the Old Testament. This episode takes listeners inside the Jerusalem temple, where God reveals to...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 115: Ezekiel 6
The episode is now live. In this episode, Dr. Michael Heiser explores the sixth chapter of Ezekiel, where the prophet delivers a scathing judgment oracle against the “high places” of Israel—the unauthorized and idolatrous worship centers scattered throughout the land....
New Dissertation on the Worship of Idols and Gods in the OT
Hat tip to Lindsay Kennedy of My Digital Seminary for this link: The Relationship Between the Worship of Other Gods and the Worship of Idols within the Old Testament I obviously haven’t read it yet, but it looks worthwhile. I searched for Benjamin Sommer’s...
Lord’s Supper, Part 3
In my previous two Lord’s Supper posts and comments to readers’ posts, I tried to telegraph a few items to set up this post: 1. I don’t care to articulate a doctrine of the Lord’s Supper on the basis of what is NOT said in the text, no matter...