In this episode, the hosts interview David A. Burnett, a scholar and friend, who connects Paul's ideas of the afterlife with the deposing of the divine council. They also discuss whether monotheism was ever a thing in ancient southwest Asia, and explore the concept of other gods in ancient times. The podcast delves into the spectrum between immaterial and material and examines a debate among philosophers in ancient Greece about the nature of the gods. The relationship between celestial bodies and the patriarchal promise in the New Testament is also explored.
The traditional understanding of monotheism in ancient Judaism and Christianity is being challenged, with scholars arguing that the modern concept of monotheism is an imposition on ancient texts.
The promises to the patriarchs, particularly Abraham, about his seed being as numerous as the stars, take on a deeper meaning when connected to the belief that the stars are divine beings ruling over the nations.
Psalm 82 provides a narrative framework for the judgment and overthrow of the gods in the divine council, which influenced Paul's teachings on the destruction of powers and rulers.
Deep dives
Reimagining Monotheism: Shifting Perspectives on Ancient Judaism and Christianity
The traditional understanding of monotheism in ancient Judaism and Christianity is being challenged. Scholars argue that the modern concept of monotheism, which posits the belief in one God and denies the existence of other gods, is an imposition on ancient texts. Instead, they propose an alternative framework, one-god rhetoric, in which the language of the "One God" is seen as a powerful rhetorical tool rather than a theological assertion. This new perspective aims to understand the Bible and early religious movements on their own terms, shedding light on the complex interplay of gods and divine beings in the ancient world.
The Stars as Divine Beings: Reshaping the Patriarchal Promises
The promises to the patriarchs, specifically the one given to Abraham about his seed being as numerous as the stars, takes on a deeper significance when understood in the context of ancient Jewish interpretation. Instead of interpreting the promise solely in quantitative terms, some ancient Jewish interpreters, including Philo of Alexandria, read it qualitatively, connecting it to the glorified nature and divinity of the celestial bodies. This interpretation is rooted in the belief that the stars are divine beings ruling over the nations. This understanding sheds light on Paul's references to celestial bodies and the resurrection in his writings, highlighting the cosmic inheritance that awaits the followers of Jesus.
Psalm 82: The Deposition of Gods and Divine Judgment
Psalm 82 provides a narrative framework for the judgment and overthrow of the gods in the divine council. This ancient Jewish text depicts a divine figure passing judgment on the gods for their failure to rule justly. Connecting this narrative to Paul's teachings on the destruction of the powers and rulers, scholars suggest that Paul drew on the imagery and ideas presented in Psalm 82 to articulate his understanding of the final cosmic judgment and the reign of the resurrected believers over the divine realm. This interpretation expands our understanding of Paul's eschatological vision and the transformation of the celestial powers.
Apostle Paul's Usage of Ancient Greek Gods in His Writing
The podcast discusses how Apostle Paul's references to Greek gods in his letters go beyond a simple binary categorization of immaterial versus material. The speaker emphasizes the need to understand the ancient Mediterranean perspective on the nature of gods, which is more nuanced and complex than a binary classification. For example, Paul's mention of the Stoic idea of Stoikaya to Cosmo (elements of the world) challenges the dichotomy between the four natural elements and actual divine beings. The Stoic belief that gods can have both material and immaterial qualities was common in the cosmology of the Greco-Roman world. This understanding is supported by evidence from texts like Cicero's 'De Natura Deorum,' where divine beings are attributed to elements like fire, air, earth, and even immortal humans.
The Intersection of Jewish Cosmology and Ancient Mediterranean Beliefs
The podcast explores the intersection of Jewish cosmology and ancient Mediterranean beliefs regarding the nature of gods and cosmic order. It highlights that ancient Jewish texts, similar to Greco-Roman literature, depict celestial bodies as divine figures ruling over the earth. Jewish people, including those in the first century, believed in the divine status of celestial bodies and their role in governing the sub-lunar realm. The discussion delves into the idea that Jewish eschatological narratives often involved the rising up of the righteous to become rulers, similar to the concept of apotheosis in Greco-Roman culture. The appeal of this narrative to marginalized and oppressed groups is explored, as it provided hope for a reversal of power dynamics and a restoration of justice.
You're not going to want to miss this one! This week, the Dans are resurrected as star stuff when they interview scholar and friend David A. Burnett. You're not going to want to miss this one, as David connects Paul's ideas of the afterlife with the deposing of the divine council, and a new arrangement in the firmament. Will you make the cut as a celestial body? They'll also dig deep into the scholarship to discover whether monotheism was ever actually a thing in ancient southwest Asia, or if that was an imposition of much later interpreters of the text. To find more of David Burnett, check out his academia.edu page here:
