Biblical scholars know that Paul subordinates the Law to Christ (Gal 3:1-18). He writes about how the Law could not result in the fruition of the promises given to Abraham (and, by extension, to all nations; Gen 12:1-3). Paul then asks “Why then was the law given?” He...
Second Temple Judaism
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 133: ETS-SBL – Live Q & A in San Antonio
This was our first live episode. Trey, myself and David Burnett got together with podcast listeners and a live Q & A broke out! Thank you to everyone who came and joined us in San Antonio! Ep. 133 drops the studio for a packed room at Rosella’s Coffee in San...
Thoughts on ETS / SBL / AAR 2014
Well, I'm finally home from San Diego. Lots I could talk about. This year's meeting was as hectic as always (pretty much 9-9 every day), but was one of the better ones for me in recent memory. First there was the hotel -- not the one for ETS (for those traveling to...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 101: Jesus, the Exile, and the Tribulation
Mike does some eschatology (and next week, too). Kind of like a Bigfoot sighting. Get it while supplies last! In this provocative episode of the Naked Bible Podcast, Dr. Michael Heiser reframes the popular evangelical understanding of the “tribulation” by exploring...
Naked Bible 93: The Book of Enoch in the Early Church
The book we know as 1 Enoch was well known to early Christians. Its importance produced an understandable question among some influential early Christian writers and, one may presume, Christians in general: Should 1 Enoch be considered inspired and thus “Scripture” in...
Peter Gentry on the Nephilim
Addendum to Peter Gentry on the Nephilim, December 13, 2019 - MSH I'm tempted to just tell readers to ignore what follows below (my original post) because it seems I have misunderstood Peter's trajectory. But it's there since it might be applicable to someone out...
Did Yahweh Demand Blood for a True Relationship with Him? Part 3: Bloodless Atonement and New Testament Justification
[MSH: When readers finish this essay, they will recognize its internal consistency with my argument in The Unseen Realm that salvation was the same across the board in both testaments. The issue was believing loyalty to Yahweh. Dr. Johnson raises the question of how...
Nephilim Question from Doctoral Colloquium
I recently participated in a doctoral colloquium where students were required to read my book The Unseen Realm. It was fun, and I'm grateful to all who took part and considered the book stimulating reading for the colloquium. One of the questions focused on an excerpt...
Naked Bible 91: Q&A 10
Our 10th Question and Answer episode! Episode 91 – Q&A 10 features Dr. Michael Heiser responding to a wide range of listener-submitted questions on biblical and theological topics. He addresses the meaning behind Jesus’ rebuke of Peter in Mark 8:33, explores the...
Addendum to Peter Gentry on the Nephilim
I'm tempted to just tell readers to ignore my original post on Peter Gentry's thoughts on the Nephilim, because it seems I have misunderstood Peter's trajectory. But I have nevertheless let it remain on the blog (accompanied by what follows) since it might be...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 102 – “All Israel” to be Saved?
The episode is now live. The focus is the meaning of "all Israel" in Rom 11:25-26. It's not as easy as you think. Naked Bible Podcast Episode 102 dives deep into one of Paul’s most debated phrases: “All Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26). In this thoughtful and...
Naked Bible Podcast Episode 134: ETS-SBL Interviews with Scholars: Part 6
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 6 of those interviews, we chat with Stephen Huebscher (PhD candidate at Clarks Summit University), David...
The Function of the Divine Council in Heavenly Worship: Piety, not Mysticism: Part 4
[Note: This post continues where Part 3 left off. It includes the rest of the main biblical as well as non-biblical ancient Jewish texts.-- MSH] Psalm 97:7–9. “All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you...
Should the Book of Enoch be in the Bible?
Should the Book of Enoch be in the Bible? https://vimeo.com/294417322
Review of Mike’s Angels Book by Gospel Coalition
Readers will likely find this review of my new book (Angels: What the Bible Really Says About God's Heavenly Host) by Justin Dillehay of interest. I'm grateful that Justin took the time to review the book, and that the Gospel Coalition found it worth inclusion on...