The Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser: A Book Review

Rev Reads reviews The Unseen Realm by Michael Heiser. Heiser's book looks at the Bible's teaching on Spiritual beings based on ancient near east view of the world. What does the Bible really teach about the Sons of God, the Nephilim, the Spiritual War, and the fall of Satan.

[artemusbowdler]

Please explain your interpretation of those four passages.

[stevelenores]

Yes. You misunderstood the book. Heiser almost immediately demotes these beings to spiritual beings when mentioned in the plural. In the singular the Hebrew word refers to God. Also Paul heavily refered to the old testament when writing to the churches. As well as the other apostles. The early church only had the Hebrew (and Greek version) of Hebrew texts. Paul called them principalities. Paul understood these were spiritual beings who were given authority over the other nations

[melibell]

I hold great respect for Michael Heiser and his significant contributions to the Christian community. Nevertheless, I agree with your observation regarding his extensive reliance on extra-biblical material for the interpretation of specific scriptures or passages. Your recognition of this perspective resonates with my own. I had previously believed I was the only individual to hold this view.

[cbradwilson]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; Particularly his discussion of of the Image of God, and free will. Also, something that struck me is that idols themselves weren't viewed as gods, but as vessels which gods inhabited. Well worth the read, but should be read discerningly.

[bethcook]

I've read the first 5 chapters of this book and I had to stopnonsense

[artemusbowdler]

Does Heiser use the phrase “lesser gods”?

[andressitorus]

Hi.. i cant find the references michael uses for this book.. where can i find it?

[joss]

Cutious...
Has it lead or help you with understanding in the sense can you see in the spiritual world ???

[thecuriouskairos]

I had a lot of the same criticisms of the book, but I feel like it was really good and necessary for understanding certain verses. Dr. Heiser certainly had some influence on my book. His influence is probably prominent enough to pick up on it in chapters 3, 6, and 7. My argument in chapter 4 could have been made stronger if I had made a connection with something Dr. Heiser wrote sooner, but I realized it after it was too late in the publishing process. I'll bring it up in a video when I finally get my channel going haha

[pennyrobinson]

I appreciate hearing your thoughts on the book. I’ve been studying all the passages I can find with the words, counsel, council, assembly, close or intimate, secret, “us, ” etc. So far, I am not finding a divine council, if a divine council is a group of created beings who share a special relationship as advisors to God, or who have special authority. Not from my study so far, but almost/ kinda/ could possibly be but it doesn’t quite make the connections. I am not sure how the author defines Divine Council. Maybe my definition is different. Thanks for the honest review.

[paulcoffey]

I couldn't agree more with you Dr Heiser is a truely wonderfull treacher and his Seminar of ( The Unseen Realm ) > on ( Sentinel Apologetics channel ) is an absolute must !!! > also ( The Naked Bible Podcast ) is an excellent resource . and i give Dr Heiser a full 100 % for his work !!! > ( Please Sir can we have alot more ) ? Thank you .

[richytube]

I came to the same conclusion after watching some of his interviews. He leans very heavily on books that are questionable at best.

[melibell]

I do not believe a lot of things Heiser believes. Something i heavily disagree with is Heiser's assertion regarding the first creation day, not necessarily being the very first day of creation. He suggests that this interpretation is linked to a mistranslation of the first sentence of the Bible from Hebrew to English. While I acknowledge Heiser's expertise in the Hebrew language, I do not share this belief. Does anyone in this conversation know anything about this idea and want to share it with me?

[Max-knyi]

Does he believe the flood is global? Just curious.

[GDG-gorthodoxy]

While Heiser may have been well intentioned and not just using speculative and sensational interpretations to sell books and attract attention as some have alleged, his hermeneutic approach unfortunately read into the text meanings that are inconsistent with the whole of Holy Scripture. Overall I believe his book introduces more harm than good. Yes, there is an unseen realm, and the Bible reveals the supernatural, but it’s not the fanciful speculation of Heiser’s interpretation. Dangerously befriends polytheism, deification, and weakens soteriology. To be read by discerning Christians only and who know their God and their Bible.

[ladym]

If this readable then I can't read. Lol I was lost with the complexity of it. I'm definitely NOT a scholar. Tis the reason why I'm watching this video! 😃 Thank you!

[bethcook]

I've read the first 5 chapters of this book and I had to stop. I have never read so much nonsense in my life. In the book Heiser talks about the Council of God. God has no council- He does not need one. The Bible says in the last days men will depart from the truth, even the elect. Heiser has departed from the truth. If you have the book put it down and read the Bible.