Genesis Marks the Spot

Concluding the mini-series reading from Udug-hul (Udug-hul) Tablet 12, a Mesopotamian exorcism/purification text, and tracing how a single goat in this ritual ends up doing several jobs—substitute, container of breath, apotropaic object, and finally the thing that carries evil away. From there, Carey compares the logic of the text with Leviticus 16 (Day of Atonement) and Numbers 19 (red heifer) and asks the hard question: where’s the line between ritual and magic? The answer is more nuanced than “the Bible isn’t magical.” Sometimes the Bible does very ANE-looking things—but without trying to force the deity. We also see that Mesopotamia loved protective objects (bells, cords, incense, figurines, “good” demons) and how Israel’s Scriptures both fit into and flip that world. What we cover Quick recap of the first two episodes in this series Reading the next section of Tablet 12 (the “one goat doing many jobs” part) Apotropaic magic 101: bells, cords, circles, incantations, and why people felt vulnerable Why Mesopotamia can use the same class of being (storm demon) for harm or healing Parallels and contrasts with Leviticus 16 and Numbers 19 “You don’t do a ritual if you don’t think it does something” — but what kind of “something”? How Israel’s rituals purify space without acting like they’re trapping a stray demon The seven protective figures and divine-council overtones A pastoral-ish landing: how might Christians still hedge their bets with low-key magical thinking? On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan 

This episode continues last week’s deep dive (Ep. 149) into Udug-hul Tablet 12, exploring how ancient Mesopotamians understood purity, sacred space, demons, and ritual—and how that compares (and collides) with the Bible’s worldview. Carey walks through Ea (Enki), Marduk, Belet-ili, Eridu, decreed destinies, and a striking black-goat “scapegoat” rite tied to breath, life, and expulsion—then turns to the big question: what’s the difference between magic and ritual for Christians, and how does that shape practices like baptism, exorcism, and embodied worship? 150 TRANSCRIPT In this episode: Why look before Sinai to grasp biblical purity and sacred space Mesopotamian divine council logic: Ea → Marduk → priest as mediator Eridu as a prototype of divine order; destinies and lots language Belet-ili (Mami/Nintu) and “learning the ways of the demons” The black goat rite: breath, life, and removing the ālu/utukku demon Biblical contrasts: Leviticus 16 scapegoat vs. Mesopotamian incantation Magic vs. ritual: mechanistic tech vs. covenantal, participatory practice Embodied sacred space/time: why liturgy, baptism, Eucharist still matter Mentioned texts & themes: Genesis 1–2 (cosmic temple), Deut 32 (lots), Enūma Eliš, Atrahasis, Eridu traditions, Leviticus 16 (scapegoat), Ezekiel 37 (breath & life). 150 TRANSCRIPT Join the community: On This Rock (Carey’s biblical-theology community) and ways to support via Patreon/PayPal. On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/  Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan 

Today we step before Leviticus into Sumerian and Akkadian worlds to see how ancient people thought about purity, danger, and the sacred—and how Israel both echoes and upends that world. We sample Udug-hul exorcism tablets (incl. Tablet 12), meet storm-like demons, and trace common ancient ritual media (living water, flour circles, fire, incense, bells, tamarisk).  Along the way we test big claims: holiness as a spatial/ritual frame, why “purity precedes holiness,” why Israel’s God doesn’t do “conflict theology” like Mesopotamia, and how not to over-systematize the Divine Council.  If you’ve read Heiser, Walton, or dabbled in 1 Enoch, apkallu lore, or Enuma Elish, this episode gives you a more complex, historically grounded backdrop—without ransacking your faith.  Don’t forget to check out the community at On This Rock for resources for Geller’s Healing Magic and Evil Demons. On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan 

Carey sits down with Mike Chu to talk through the new Unseen Realm - Expanded Edition, how Heiser clarified his stance on creeds, why frame semantics and ancient contexts matter, and why a Christotelic reading (aimed at the eschaton) can keep Scripture’s big story intact. Along the way: pastoral cautions about celebrity culture, the value of scholarship and seminary, and a practical reframing of Imago Dei as being made as God's image (not merely "in" it). Highlights include: Heiser’s "non-credal" (not anti-credal) posture, Genesis 6 in an exilic frame, and how holiness as "other" reshapes baptism, worship, and daily vocation. What's actually new in Unseen Realm (Expanded Edition) and why it matters for teachers and small-group leaders Heiser on creeds: non-credal vs anti-credal, and using creeds as boundaries, not as an interpretive lens Christocentric vs Christotelic: aiming at the end goal of Christ (including the Spirit and the Eschaton) Reading Genesis 6 with an exilic Mesopotamian frame vs a Mosaic/Egyptian frame Imago Dei as vocation: "made as God's image," and why that lands pastorally The completion of AWKNG School of Theology's "Seminary on a Thumb Drive" initiative On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/  Website: genesismarksthespot.com   Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot   Music credit: "Marble Machine" by WintergatanLink to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/  Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan 

Continuing the water series by framing purification and holiness through an ancient Near Eastern lens and a Christotelic (telos-aimed) reading of Scripture. We contrast Christocentric “reading back” with Christotelic “reading forward,” explore holy/common vs clean/unclean as two distinct axes, and ask whether Leviticus was ever meant to be a sin-management system—or a way to host a holy God in sacred space. Along the way: covenant at Sinai, ritual logic, righteousness in OT vs NT, and why Jesus as incarnate Holy One unites holy and common in himself. Bonus at the end: Carey’s first look at The Unseen Realm: Expanded Edition and its nods to frame semantics and christological lenses. In this episode Editing experiment: does lighter editing serve the mission better? Why hermeneutics matters: Christocentric vs Christotelic readings Purity → Holiness: which comes first in human religious imagination? Two spectra, not one: holy/common and clean/unclean Leviticus beyond “sin management”: making space for divine presence Covenant first, cult second; why Israel is unique amid the ANE Righteousness reconsidered across Testaments Word-study pointers: “pure/purge/refine” (gold, oil, incense), ritual vs ethical usage Teaser: upcoming episodes on atonement frames, water vs fire, and Divine Council themes Resources mentioned Michael S. Heiser, The Unseen Realm — Expanded Edition (new front-matter on frames & christological lenses) John Walton on Christotelic reading (telos-oriented Scripture) Carey’s On This Rock community (October theme: Unseen Realm) Support / connect Join the conversation in the On This Rock community Share the episode; leave a rating/review Send pushback & questions for office hours On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan 

This episode of Genesis Marks the Spot explores the meaning and function of ritual with a special focus on baptism. From Jewish mikvahs and Qumran practices to Greco-Roman mystery rites and John the Baptist’s wilderness call, baptism emerges as more than a symbol—it’s participation in a story of death, resurrection, and new creation. We’ll look at biblical passages (Romans 6, Galatians 3, Colossians 2, and more), denominational perspectives, and how ritual frames help us move beyond false binaries of “just symbolic” versus “mechanistic.” Topics include: What ritual is and why it matters Rituals as communal participation and transformation Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts for baptism Jesus’ baptism as a Trinitarian theophany Baptism in Acts and the Pauline letters Denominational views on baptism How rituals shape identity, allegiance, and belonging On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan 

This episode continues our deep dive into the biblical theme of water. From Genesis to the prophets, from Eden’s rivers to Israel’s covenant rain, water frames the story of God’s presence, judgment, and renewal. Along the way we’ll explore: How waters above (rain) and waters below (springs, rivers) carry distinct theological meanings Why the flood brings both destruction and recreation Ancient Near Eastern cosmology of water and how the Bible reframes it The difference between living water, rainwater, and cisterns—and how they connect to Spirit and baptism Stories like Hagar in the wilderness and Rebekah at the well as pictures of God’s provision and promise What does all of this mean for baptism, covenant, and discipleship today? Join me as we trace the living streams back to their source. On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan 

In this episode of Genesis Marks the Spot, Carey sits down with Phil Bray—author of Leviticus on the Butcher’s Block and creator of the YouTube channel Leviticus is Fun—for a wide-ranging conversation on sacrifice, atonement, and the surprising beauty of Leviticus. They explore: How Leviticus reframes atonement away from wrath and toward restoration Why sacrifice isn’t about death, but about life and communion What Phil learned from being both a butcher and a Bible nerd How Leviticus helps us understand Hebrews, Jesus, and the Lord’s Supper Whether the sacrificial system was an accommodation… and if so, what kind Why blood and water both purify—and how Jesus’ life transforms both Why Passover and atonement aren't the same, and why that matters for communion The deeper frames behind the word “substitution” Carey and Phil also dive into the contagious holiness of Jesus, purification rituals, and why Christians must learn to disambiguate muddy theological terms like “atonement” and “substitution.” This episode is part of our Atonement monthly theme over at the On This Rock biblical theology community. Join us to discuss the many frames of substitution, atonement, and covenant—and be sure to check out Phil’s channel and book!   Links & Resources: Phil’s YouTube: Leviticus Is Fun Leviticus on the Butcher’s Block   On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan 

Water flows through Scripture as far more than a backdrop — it carries covenant, hospitality, conflict, and even divine judgment. This episode of Genesis Marks the Spot traces how the Bible uses water as a sign of both intimacy and power. We begin at the wells of Genesis, where stories like Rebekah’s hospitality and the Samaritan woman in John 4 tie water to covenant, marriage, and the faithful love of God. These encounters at the well aren’t just about refreshment — they become turning points where covenant identity is revealed and extended. From there, the theme widens: Isaac’s struggle over wells in Genesis 26, Hezekiah’s tunnel in 2 Chronicles 32, and the strange, unsettling story of 2 Kings 3 where water looks like blood and wrath erupts on the battlefield. In each case, water symbolizes more than survival — it becomes a stage where covenant promises, human conflict, and divine purposes collide. Through these narratives, we see how living water ultimately finds fulfillment in Christ, the true Bridegroom, who offers hospitality at the well and baptismal union in the Spirit. Water can be a gift of life, a sign of covenant marriage, or even a weapon of war — but all of these streams converge in Jesus, the one who brings both judgment and renewal. Wade into the deep waters — from covenant hospitality to power struggles — and uncover how Scripture’s water stories prepare us to understand baptism in all its richness. Explore more and join the conversation at On-This-Rock.com On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan 

In this episode of Genesis Marks the Spot, Carey Griffel sits down with Dr. Matthew Bates—New Testament scholar and author of Salvation by Allegiance Alone, Gospel Allegiance, and Beyond the Salvation Wars. Together, they explore what it really means to proclaim Jesus as King, how allegiance reframes faith, and why justification should be seen as a benefit of the gospel rather than the gospel itself. The conversation touches on: The difference between biblical theology and systematic theology How gospel allegiance compares with “lordship salvation” and “believing loyalty” Substitution, atonement, and representation in Paul’s letters Baptism, corporate identity, and the role of children in the believing community How Catholics and Protestants might find common ground This dialogue bridges scholarship and discipleship, inviting us to think deeply about what the gospel is, what it isn’t, and how it calls us to live together as the people of God. Links mentioned in the show: Dr. Matthew Bates’ website:  Matthew W. Bates   On Script Podcast:  OnScript    On This Rock Biblical Theology Community:  https://on-this-rock.com/   Website: genesismarksthespot.com    Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot    Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/   Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan