A little while ago I posted some passages for Dr. Johnson’s take that (obviously) were relevant to his discussion about atonement / substitution language. Turns out he had been discussing those with some of you. What follows are his answers, as well as email...
Romans
What is the Bible’s Big Story? Part 5
This is Part 5 of a guest series by Dr. Ronn Johnson. I’m planning on posting some thoughts of my own on his series (thus far) in the near future. I think Ronn’s presentation of the way the notion of substitution is put forth in evangelicalism is on...
Paul’s Use of Genesis 15:5 in Romans 4:18 in Light of Early Jewish Deification Traditions: Part 6: Origen’s Commentary on Romans 4 and the Reception of the Qualitative Interpretation
This is the final installment of David Burnett’s guest series. This reading of Genesis 15:5 may appear novel yet it has an ancient antecedent in one of the earliest commentaries on Romans. Origen believed that in Romans 4, Paul did in fact understand the...
Paul’s Use of Genesis 15:5 in Romans 4:18 in Light of Early Jewish Deification Traditions: Part 5: Resurrection and Astral Immortality in Early Judaism and Paul
This is Part 5 of David Burnett’s guest series. In early Judaism it was widely accepted that in the resurrection or afterlife, the righteous were to in some sense become as the stars or angels.[1. See above conversation on 2 Baruch 51. For further treatment of...
Paul’s Use of Genesis 15:5 in Romans 4:18 in Light of Early Jewish Deification Traditions: Part 4: Becoming as the Stars and Inheritance of the Nations, Continued
This is Part 4 of David Burnett’s guest blogging series Philo’s Spec. Law 4.187, 2 Baruch 21:4; 48:8, and Romans 4:17: Misconstrual and a Missing Link? This passage is frequently cited by commentators on Rom 4:17, rightly recognizing the parallel language...
Paul’s Use of Genesis 15:5 in Romans 4:18 in Light of Early Jewish Deification Traditions: Part 3: Becoming as the Stars and the Inheritance of the Nations
This is Part 3 of the series by David Burnett; see Part 1, Part 2 Part 3 – Becoming as the Stars and the Inheritance of the Nations The Deuteronomic Vision of the Celestial Bodies as the Gods (or Angels) of the Nations The precedent for this assumed connection...
Paul’s Use of Genesis 15:5 in Romans 4:18 in Light of Early Jewish Deification Traditions: Part 2: Early Jewish Qualitative Interpretation of Genesis 15:5 and Related Texts
This is Part 2 of a series of guest pots by David Burnett. Part 1 is located here. – MSH PART 2 – Early Jewish Qualitative Interpretation of Genesis 15:5 and Related Texts Philo of Alexandria and the Saying “So Shall Your Seed Be” In commenting on Genesis 15:5...
Paul’s Use of Genesis 15:5 in Romans 4:18 in Light of Early Jewish Deification Traditions: Part 1: Introduction
This is the first of four installments on this topic, all written by David Burnett. This series is based on a paper David read at the Society of Biblical Literature. — MSH Paul’s Use of Genesis 15:5 in Romans 4:18 in Light of Early Jewish Deification...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 147: Ezekiel 33-34
Ezekiel 33-34 finalize the destruction of Jerusalem and the covenant failure of its leadership and people as the cause. But there is more than meets the eye. The notion of a “watchman” prominent in Ezekiel chapter 33 is found elsewhere and has possible connections to...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 139: Q & A Number 18
The episode is now live! In Episode 139 of the Naked Bible Podcast, Dr. Michael Heiser responds to a range of listener-submitted theological questions that dive deep into biblical interpretation, supernatural worldview, and ancient context. This Q&A installment...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 126 – Ezekiel 18
Ezekiel 18 focuses on one central idea: individual accountability for one’s own sinfulness. The chapter opens with God’s rejection of the pervasive Israelite idea that the suffering of one generation is the result of the sins of previous generations. The message God...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 123 – Ezekiel 16
Ezekiel 16 is known for being the most sexually explicit chapter in the Bible. Some scholars even consider it pornographic. The prophet casts the city of Jerusalem as a whore when articulating why God has condemned it and marked it for destruction. This episode...
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...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 119 – Ezekiel 10-11
Ezekiel 10-11 are the concluding chapters to a prophetic vision that began in chapter 8. In this episode we discover how these chapters provide more Godhead talk from the Old Testament and the departure of the glory of God from the temple. The episode is now live. In...
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...