Within Reason #117 Dan McClellan - The Bible Has More Than One God
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Aug 17, 2025 
Dan McClellan, an American biblical scholar and author, delves into the complexities of divine plurality in scripture. He discusses why God uses the plural term 'us' in Genesis, questioning traditional monotheistic interpretations. The conversation explores the historical context of polytheism in the Old Testament, the role of lesser gods, and the significance of translation differences. McClellan also critiques modern understandings of idols and divine authority, challenging listeners to rethink conventional views of God in biblical texts.
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Genesis 'Us' Points To A Divine Council
- Genesis 1:26's "Let us make" likely addresses a divine council rather than the Trinity.
- Early Israelite texts picture Yahweh speaking among other gods who participate in cosmic governance.
Bible Portrays A Multi-Tier Divine Hierarchy
- The Hebrew Bible repeatedly references a heavenly hierarchy: a high deity, consort, and offspring gods.
- These second-tier 'sons of God' appear across Genesis, Job, and Deuteronomy as functioning divine beings.
Creation Ex Nihilo Is A Later Innovation
- Creation ex nihilo is not present in early Hebrew scripture and emerges centuries later.
- Biblical 'create' often means fashioning or ordering preexisting material, not making matter from nothing.
