The Divine Council Worldview Podcast

In this episode, Ronn and Mike look at John 7:32-8:12, exploring the context of Jesus' teachings and his interactions with non-believers who had been threatening to kill him. They discuss the significance of the Holy Spirit's promised arrival, the debate surrounding Jesus' identity, and the woman caught in adultery. Ronn recommended that this last story, though not originally included in John's gospel, likely found its way into the fourth gospel due to its historical and theological importance to the doctrine of salvation in the early church, underscoring the idea that the door to salvation consisted of joining Abraham's family as opposed to simply having one's sin forgiven.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike look at John 7:1-31. They discuss the importance of constructive disagreements in theology (reflecting upon the recent death of Charlie Kirk), the secretive nature of Jesus' ministry, and the political context surrounding his teachings. Their conversation also explores the treatment of the law by Jesus, the nature of demons (a highly nuanced issue relating to the Greek concept of daimonia), and the significance of Hezekiah's prayer for God's forgiveness of Israelites who had been guilty of breaking Mosaic law (2 Chron. 30).

Mel interviews Anthony Diastello at the DCW Conference about how his role-playing game *Allies of Majesty* weaves faith and divine council concepts into immersive storytelling. They explore how games can foster spiritual awareness, personal agency, and deeper engagement with the unseen realm. You can find his game here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HqI9JVINeg https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/purefunmedia/allies-of-majesty-chronicles-vol-1 https://subscribepage.io/iCPswe

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss the latter part of John 6, taking on the themes of forgiveness, the identity of Jesus, and the implications of his teachings on communion (they understand the concept of eating Jesus' flesh to be metaphorical for internalizing his teachings and life). They explore the complexities of forgiveness, and how this issue often lacks clear biblical answers to our modern questions. The conclude by discussing the significance of Jesus' claims about himself, and the reactions of his followers, culminating in a pivotal moment where many disciples turn away (6:66). Peter's declaration of faith highlights the importance of loyalty to Jesus.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss two miracles recorded in John 6:1-40 (the feeding of the 5000 and Jesus' walking on the water), recommending that many who wanted Jesus to be a king misunderstood his primary concern that his followers become truly human in thought and action. The motivations behind seeking Jesus are noted as being complex and often misguided, though Jesus' patience in motivating ultimate commitment and loyalty are always present. The conversation also touches on the metaphor of Jesus as the bread of life and the promise of resurrection, setting the stage for future discussions on these themes.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss the significance of Jesus' actions and speeches in John 5. The text leads them to discuss some of the necessary complexities of the Trinity, especially the relationship between the Father and the Son. They also talk about the role of good works in faith, noticing that the early church did not fear good works as it related to being loyal to God and Jesus. The beginning of the episode includes an appreciation for the legacy of John MacArthur, who had recently passed away. Ronn had worked under Dr. MacArthur at The Master's University in Newhall, CA in the mid-1990s.

Chris and Heather share their transformative journey at a conference, revealing how divine council theology has enriched their understanding of Scripture. They delve into the illuminating connections between the Old and New Testaments, offering personal insights that enhance biblical narratives. A missed visit to Caesarea Philippi sparks reflections on ancient significance and the spiritual weight of geography in Scripture. Their discussion emphasizes the importance of historical context and diverse perspectives in grasping divine concepts, inspiring deeper faith.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer six questions sent in by listeners: 1) Can a DCW track alongside Reformed theology? 2) What did “salvation” mean to an ancient reader of the OT? From what or whom or where were they were being “saved”? 3) If the Law of Moses was given as a concession for Israel to realign pagan practices towards Yahweh, why does David emphasize the Law in the Psalms (19, 119)? 4) Should we note any differences in meaning for the two words translated as “sin” in the Greek NT (hamartia & parabasis)? 5) Is worship at stake in Torah observance, or strict obedience to God's laws? 6) Was Yahweh’s "Word" a separate person in Exodus 34:5?

In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer five questions sent in by listeners: 1) What was the relationship between the human Jesus and his mother Mary during his earthly ministry? 2) What is the best argument against the thought that the divine council does not actually exist but is just a divine accommodation? 3) How does the grammar and syntax in Genesis 1:1-3 make the gap theory improbable if not impossible? 4) Does salvation deal with what you call "sin management"? 5) How should we think of Jews who worship Yahweh, but don’t believe that Jesus is God? Are they worshipping Yahweh?

In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer five questions sent in by listeners: 1) Is it proper to say that Christians worship two beings? Or are Jesus and the Father considered the same being? 2) Is Filipino tradition possibly similar to Chinese tradition when it comes to the worship of ancestors? 3) What exactly happens to my moral sins through Jesus’ suffering and death? Are they "forgiven" or "atoned," or both? 4) How does Jesus’ view of Torah relate to Jesus’ view of the Temple? 5) What are possible views pertaining to Yahweh's initial disinheriting of the nations and how that relates to modern nation-states? Are present elohim rulers good or bad, and have they possibly changed their ways over time?