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The Unseen Realm Q&A with Dr. Michael S. Heiser and Dr. Ben Witherington III

Logos Bible Study Platform・65 minutes read

Bible scholars Dr. Mike Heiser and Dr. Ben Witherington III focus on understanding the Bible in its original context to avoid misinterpretations and emphasize the importance of ancient languages in proper interpretation. The text explores the impact of Enlightenment skepticism on biblical scholarship, the role of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives, and the significance of Jesus reflecting both humanity and divinity in Jewish theology.

Insights

  • Understanding the Bible in its original context is crucial, as it was written for people with a different worldview and cultural context, emphasizing the importance of grasping the original meaning to the original audience.
  • The Enlightenment era fostered skepticism about the supernatural, impacting how scripture is interpreted today, highlighting the need for balancing skepticism with openness to genuine phenomena and exploring deeper understanding of divine concepts.

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Recent questions

  • Why is understanding the original context of the Bible important?

    Understanding the original context of the Bible is crucial because it was written for people with a different worldview and cultural context. Without this understanding, reading the Bible can lead to misinterpretation, emphasizing the importance of grasping the original meaning to the original audience. This knowledge helps in interpreting scripture accurately and appreciating the nuances of the text that may be lost in translation.

  • What impact did the Enlightenment era have on biblical scholarship?

    The Enlightenment era marked a shift towards a naturalistic worldview, separating the supernatural from the natural. This separation led to skepticism about miracles and biblical content among scholars. Founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson even edited out miraculous elements from the Bible. The Enlightenment fostered skepticism about the supernatural, influencing how scripture is interpreted today.

  • Why is knowledge of Greek and Hebrew languages essential for Bible scholars?

    Knowledge of Greek and Hebrew languages is essential for Bible scholars because it allows them to grasp the ancient worldview and interpret scripture accurately. Translations of the Bible, while valuable, are interpretations and may not fully capture the nuances of the original languages and cultural context. Understanding these languages provides a deeper insight into the text and helps in preserving the original meaning.

  • How do Bible scholars contribute to the field of study?

    Bible scholars contribute to the field of study by teaching courses, conducting research, writing books and articles, and speaking at events or on podcasts. They undergo extensive education, including a master's degree and a five-year PhD program, involving coursework, exams, and a thesis. Scholars like Dr. Witherington aim to catch up with other scholarly traditions by writing commentaries on every book of the New Testament.

  • What is the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life?

    The Holy Spirit plays a significant role in a believer's life by working on their character and leading to progressive sanctification. Christians are able to resist demonic influences due to the presence of the Holy Spirit. The New Covenant promises the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, offering a different spiritual experience compared to the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit is seen as a person who guides believers and helps them grow in their faith.

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Summary

00:00

Bible Scholars: Context, Languages, Interpretation, Impact

  • Dr. Mike Heiser and Dr. Ben Witherington III are Bible scholars specializing in Old and New Testament, respectively.
  • A Bible scholar undergoes extensive education, including a master's degree and a five-year PhD program, involving coursework, exams, and a thesis.
  • Bible scholars typically teach courses, conduct research, write books and articles, and may speak at events or on podcasts.
  • Dr. Witherington, a Methodist, is the first in his tradition to write a commentary on every book of the New Testament, aiming to catch up with other scholarly traditions.
  • Dr. Heiser, as a scholar in residence at Faith Life, contributes to the next generation of seminarians and pastors through teaching and research.
  • Understanding the Bible in its original context is crucial, as it was written for people with a different worldview and cultural context.
  • Reading the Bible without context can lead to misinterpretation, emphasizing the importance of understanding the original meaning to the original audience.
  • Knowledge of Greek and Hebrew languages is essential for grasping the ancient worldview and interpreting scripture accurately.
  • Translations of the Bible, while valuable, are interpretations and may not fully capture the nuances of the original languages and cultural context.
  • The Enlightenment era marked a shift towards a naturalistic worldview, separating the supernatural from the natural, impacting how scripture is interpreted today.

15:35

"Enlightenment Impact on Biblical Scholarship and Supernatural"

  • The humanities encompass Theology, specializing in ancient languages and supernatural studies.
  • The ancients didn't segregate the natural and supernatural realms as modern people do.
  • Enlightenment led to skepticism about miracles and biblical content among scholars.
  • Founding fathers like Thomas Jefferson edited out miraculous elements from the Bible.
  • Americans are unaware of the deistic beliefs of many founding fathers.
  • The Enlightenment fostered skepticism about the supernatural, impacting biblical scholarship.
  • Psalm 82's revelation of a divine council sparked a scholarly exploration for deeper understanding.
  • The reluctance to accept the supernatural in evangelical circles is noted.
  • Personal experiences and exposure to supernatural events can challenge scientific skepticism.
  • Critical evaluation of supernatural claims is encouraged, balancing skepticism with openness to genuine phenomena.

31:04

God, Angels, Demons, and the Holy Spirit

  • The possibility of God creating non-embodied beings in a spiritual world is considered, allowing for interaction and thought processes.
  • An analogy from Ansel Adam's book about life being viewed as a tapestry, occasionally revealing a glimpse of a larger divine design.
  • People seeking paranormal or supernatural explanations due to dissatisfaction with materialistic or Darwinistic views.
  • A story of a miraculous recovery after a severe accident, where a cleaning lady attributes the event to an angel's intervention.
  • The debate on Christians being demon-possessed, with a distinction made between oppression and possession.
  • The emphasis on Christians being able to resist demonic influences due to the presence of the Holy Spirit.
  • The importance of not attributing every negative event to demonic forces but taking responsibility for actions.
  • The role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life, as a person who works on character and leads to progressive sanctification.
  • The difference in spiritual experiences between the Old and New Testaments, with the New Covenant promising the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
  • Acknowledging the wider scope of the people of God in the New Testament, including Gentiles from the beginning and the connection between the Holy Spirit and Jesus.

46:29

God's Duality in Scripture: A Summary

  • In the Old Testament, God is depicted as both invisible and transcendent, yet also appearing as a man on Earth.
  • The Old Testament affirms the existence of only one Yahweh, but there is a concept of two in one.
  • This duality is transferred to Jesus in the New Testament, causing confusion about his relationship with the Father.
  • The New Testament also presents a similar duality between Jesus, the Spirit, and God, equating them in certain verses.
  • Jesus is referred to as the "paracletos," an agent of the Father, and promises to send another agent, the Spirit.
  • The concept of agency in Jewish theology emphasizes that the agent speaks and acts on behalf of the one who sent him.
  • Jewish theology once included the idea of a godhead, but this concept was eliminated around the second century AD.
  • The story of the Son of Man in Daniel 7 is significant, as it suggests both the humanity and divinity of this figure.
  • Jesus alludes to Daniel 7 in the New Testament, claiming deity and causing controversy among Jewish leaders.
  • The clarity of scripture can be subjective, as what may seem unclear to modern readers would have been clear to the original audience.

01:01:22

"Unlocking Jesus' Teachings Through Revelation"

  • The Lord had to open the disciples' minds for them to understand Jesus' teachings, even though he was physically present.
  • Reflecting on events and scripture helped assemble the mosaic of understanding, which was intentional on God's part.
  • Progressive revelation is crucial in understanding the character of God, with Jesus and the New Testament providing clarity on the Old Testament.
  • Intelligent evil entities couldn't fully comprehend prophecies, leading to their unwitting participation in God's plan.
  • Reading the Old Testament with a Christian lens is a mistake, as the figures weren't Christians before their time, highlighting the need for Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
  • The ethics of Jesus are more demanding than Moses', emphasizing love for enemies and a higher moral standard.
  • Understanding angelology and demonology aids in comprehending God's view of believers and their role as partners in his plan.
  • God desires a family of free-willed partners who choose to love and worship him, mirroring his character of love, light, and life.
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