Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

The Unseen Realm: Analysis of the 10-year expanded edition

25 snips

Apr 15, 2025

Charlie Trimm, Talbot Old Testament professor and director of Every Voice, joins the discussion on the influential works of Michael Heiser, particularly 'The Unseen Realm.' They explore Heiser’s impact on biblical scholarship and the implications of embracing a supernatural worldview. The conversation delves into the nature of the divine council, the complexities of the Nephilim, and the significance of sacred spaces within scripture. Trimm also shares insights on the roles of spiritual beings and the importance of nuanced interpretations in theological discussions.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Heiser's Inspiration

Michael Heiser's journey began with Psalm 82:1, where God judges among other gods.
This verse sparked his lifelong research into the divine council and the unseen realm.

INSIGHT

Heiser's Popularity

Heiser's popularity stems from his engaging content and early adoption of online platforms.
He tackles interesting, often avoided, biblical topics, offering a holistic worldview.

INSIGHT

Divine Council

Heiser's core idea is that God has a divine council of spirit beings.
These beings advise and assist God, influencing the biblical narrative.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Angels and Demons

Dan Brown

In this novel, Dan Brown introduces Robert Langdon, a Harvard symbologist, who is summoned to a Swiss research facility to analyze a mysterious symbol seared into the chest of a murdered physicist. This discovery leads to the revelation of the resurgence of the ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati, which has a vendetta against the Catholic Church. Langdon teams up with Vittoria Vetra, a CERN scientist, to follow a 400-year-old trail of ancient symbols across Rome to prevent the Illuminati from carrying out their deadly plans, including the detonation of an antimatter bomb in Vatican City. The story is a blend of relentless adventure, scholarly intrigue, and cutting wit, exploring the battle between science and religion[3][5][4].

This Present Darkness

Frank E. Peretti

This Present Darkness is set in the small town of Ashton, where a skeptical reporter and a prayerful pastor uncover a sinister New Age plot by the Universal Consciousness Society to control the town and eventually the world. The story intertwines the physical world with the spiritual realm, depicting a war between angels and demons. The novel emphasizes the importance of prayer and spiritual warfare, drawing inspiration from biblical themes such as Ephesians 6:12. It follows the investigations of Marshall Hogan, the new editor of the local newspaper, and Hank Busche, the new pastor, as they confront demonic forces and their human agents, ultimately leading to a climactic battle that decides the fate of Ashton.

The unseen realm

Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible

Michael S. Heiser

In 'The Unseen Realm,' Michael Heiser presents a detailed analysis of the supernatural world as described in the Bible. He argues that modern theological systems often ignore or explain away difficult passages related to the supernatural, and he seeks to restore the original ancient readers' and writers' understanding of these texts. The book covers various themes, including the divine council, the 'sons of God,' the fall of mankind, and the ongoing cosmic conflict between God and hostile spiritual rulers. Heiser's work aims to help readers view the biblical text unfiltered by tradition or theological presuppositions, providing a clear and accessible biblical theology that embraces the unseen realm[2][3][5].