Welcome to the Divine Council Worldview Podcast, where hosts Ronn Johnson and Mike Chu honor the legacy of their late friend and colleague Dr. Michael S. Heiser (author of the best-selling book The Unseen Realm). Our interest is the Bible, studying it through the lens of its original authors and audience. We will specifically take notice of created divine beings and the role they play in the physical cosmos through the ultimate authority of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Join the fun conversation!
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In this episode of the Divine Council Worldview Podcast, hosts Ron Johnson and Mike Chu engage in a thought-provoking discussion on theological questions submitted by listeners. The conversation begins with an exploration of the concept of atonement, particularly the terms 'ransom' and 'redemption' as they relate to Jesus' death. They delve into the nuances of biblical language and interpretation, challenging traditional views on the meaning of ransom in the context of atonement. The discussion ...
In this episode of the Divine Council Worldview podcast, Ronn & Mike delve into John 18, exploring the final hours of Jesus' life. They discuss the transition from the high priestly prayer in John 17 to the events leading to Jesus' arrest, the significance of Judas' betrayal, and the metaphorical meaning of the 'cup' that Jesus refers to. The conversation emphasizes Jesus' humanity and the emotional weight of his impending suffering, while also touching on theological interpretations of thes...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike explore the profound theological insights of John 17, Jesus' high priestly prayer, delving into topics like divine authority, the nature of the Trinity, sanctification, and the significance of sacred space. Join us for a deep dive into biblical theology and its implications for faith and understanding.
In this episode, Ronn and Mike explore the biblical and theological insights regarding John 16, the Holy Spirit and the divine council worldview. Join them as they dive deep into biblical analysis, practical theology, and insights into spiritual rebellion and divine authority.
In this episode, Ronn and Mike delve into significant theological themes, including the impact of Enlightenment rationalism on the supernatural worldview, the challenges faced by seminary training, and the historical context of worship. It also explores the philosophical aspects of God, the nature of covenantal relationships, and the ongoing quest for unity within the church amidst historical divisions.
In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss a new children's book on the Ten Commandments, explore the cultural context of family structures during Jesus' time, and emphasize the importance of understanding the relationship with God the Father. He delves into theological concepts such as the doctrine of two powers and the significance of knowing God relationally. The conversation also touches on the importance of humility in teaching and learning, as well as the timeline of events leading to Jesus' a...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss the events and conversations recorded in John 13. Ronn began by recommending that the "dinner" of John 13:2 recalled the supper hosted in Lazarus' home (as described in 12:1-8) a week prior to Jesus' crucifixion and not during the final Passover evening. Jesus' "new commandment" to love others (13:34) was therefore to be understood in reference to his washing of his followers' feet beyond that of the 12 disciples—likely visitors to Lazarus' home who would h...
Join us as Emmanuel Dania shares powerful stories of supernatural encounters, street evangelism in Nigeria, and the transformative power of love and faith in ministry. Discover how faith moves mountains and impacts lives in profound ways.
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer two questions sent in by listeners: 1) Would it be possible to think of Joseph (Genesis 37-50) as a partial fulfillment of the promises made to Abraham? It seems that some of the promises made to Abraham were satisfied through Joseph and his story. 2) Please explain whether God was "silent" during the period between the testaments. It sounds like he may not have been as silent as I once thought. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY Kompass Financial Advisors is a Ch...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer two questions sent in by listeners: 1) Psalm 45 ultimately refers to Jesus, of course, but is it possible that the author originally intended it to be understood in terms of the coming messiah? 2) Please give a DCW opinion on the application of the word "righteous" to Jesus in such passages as Acts 3:14, 7:52, 22:14, and 1 John 2:1. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY Kompass Financial Advisors is a Christian independent Certified Financial Planner® firm, offering ...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer two questions sent in by listeners: 1) What should we think about Roman Catholics who venerate Mary and give her titles that should be reserved for Jesus? Does God consider this idolatry? Or can God simply see this as an example of a loyal (righteous) person being unwittingly misled? 2) Why does Jesus say "ask and it shall be given"? Is this specifically for his disciples, or for us believers? And how do we deal with prayers which are not answered? Is there ...
In this milestone 100th episode, the Divine Council Worldview podcast welcomes Drenna Heiser-Hollander, president of the Michael S. Heiser Foundation, for an intimate conversation about the man behind the scholarship. Drenna traces the journey she and Mike shared, from their early love story through the cross-country moves that shaped his calling, the years of relentless academic pursuit, and the painful season of illness that took him from us too soon. Through it all, she reveals a fuller pictu...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer two questions sent in by listeners: 1) After the resurrection, NT writers rarely refer to Jesus simply by the name "Jesus" without attaching a title such as "Lord," "Christ," or "Jesus Christ." Is referring to Jesus without a title unintentionally minimizing early Christian confession about its messiah? 2) The story of 1 Kings 22, in which a spirit is sent by Yahweh to lie to Ahab's prophets, seems to imply that created gods have the ability to manipulate or...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer two questions sent in by listeners: 1) Is the logic of hell (and eternal concious torment) consistent with God's justice? And if God's justice wasn't satisfied at the cross, it must be satisfied at some point, correct? 2) Could Jesus' teaching regrading loyalty to his Father be understood as a polemic against Israel's loyalty to created gods, especially Baal? Could it also be a polemic against the rebellious gods' relationship to Yahweh?
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer three questions sent in by listeners: 1) How does the origial meaning of Jeremiah 16:16 (including the idea of "fishers of men") relate to Jesus' use of the phrase in Mark 1:17? 2) Is it possible to trace the appearance of the serpent in Genesis 3 throiugh the rest of the biblical story? Is he, for example, the same being that tempts Jesus? 3) How did the gods of the nations communicate with their worshippers? Is there any written evidence explaining how and...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss John 12 as a theological and narrative hinge in the Gospel, situating it within the chronology of Passion Week while exploring its deeper implications for atonement, messianic expectation, and Gentile inclusion. They noted that early church councils never defined a single atonement theory, arguing instead for a flexible, text-driven, and retrospective understanding of Jesus' death that emerges only after the resurrection. Walking through key scenes—the anoi...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike complete the 11th chapter of John (verses 45-57). Their main point of discussion is Caiaphas' description of the meaning of the death of Jesus in vs.52: "he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad." Ronn recommended that this "gathering" of Abraham's family was understood by later NT writers as accomplished through Jesus' symbolic ritual cleansing of Gentil...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike enjoy the story of Lazarus' resuscitation in John 11:1-44. For several reasons found within this narrative, Ronn recommended that original readers would have been tempted to regard Lazarus as the "disciple that Jesus loved" referred to in later stories of John. A key element in this story, of course, was Martha's belief that Lazarus would "rise again in the resurrection" (11:24), offering a chance to talk about death and resurrection beliefs within 2nd Temple Judai...
A raw, global conversation on applying theology to real life—addressing spiritual abuse, prison ministry, and a growing hunger for biblical understanding in Brazil. Sandra Alex and the hosts explore why translation, community, humility, and lived faith matter more than knowledge alone.
In this episode, Ronn and Mike work their way through John 10, starting with Jesus' self-identification as Israel's "good shepherd." They recommend that Jesus is thuf fulfilling the meaning of Ezekiel 34, which recalls the extended metaphor of Yahweh claiming to be Israel's ultimate shepherd. This leads to a necessary discussion of the issue of "divine agency," and how God could be seen working through figures who receive their authority through God's appointment. Closing discussion attempts exp...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike look at John 9, reading through the extended story of the man born blind who is healed by Jesus. They discuss the significance of some of the interesting details of the story, including why Jesus patched the man's eyes with spittle, and why he had the man go a half-mile away to wash in the Pool of Siloam. Ronn recommended that the use of "sinner" in the story hearkens back to the OT understanding that this was a category akin to someone outside the covenant of Isra...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer six questions sent in by listeners: 1) What is the best way to study the original authors, recipients, and cultures of the biblical world? 2) Does a DCW have any specific opinion on the issue of human free will? 3) Why didn't Jesus condemn the adulterous woman in John 8? It seems mercy is the exception in how God handles sin in the Bible. 4) Ronn has said that Jesus' death did not accomplish anything which had not already been true before. How does that work...
Rich and Curt Ferrell discuss the transformative impact of faith-based prison ministry, highlighting how The Unseen Realm is changing inmates' lives. Curt introduces his book, "The Way to Discipleship," outlining theological "waypoints" to move the church beyond a transactional gospel to a holistic understanding of God's kingdom and our role as stewards. They challenge traditional, metric-driven church models, advocating for messy, relationship-based discipleship that fosters genuine transformation in individuals and communities.
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer five questions sent in by listeners: 1) Were the nations that were apportioned to created elohim by Yahweh expected to obey these gods? Did Yahweh hold them accountable if they did? 2) What did Jesus mean in Mark 10:18 when he said "No one is good except God alone"? 3) Why does Ronn disparage Reformed theology so often? 4) Are giants still around? Where may they be today? 5) Could "sin" (Greek, hamartia) be better understood as misalignment of one's loyalty ...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer five questions sent in by listeners: 1) How does God handle ignorance about Jesus and his present lordship over all gods? 2) What are we to make about the large numbers in a book such as Numbers? 3) How do loyalty and obedience relate to each other? 4) Could Lazarus be the Beloved Disciple in John's gospel? 5) Why was the temptation to worship other gods so strong in the OT?
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer five questions sent in by listeners: 1) How is kosmos ("world") used in the NT? 2) How does Jesus use Psalm 82 in John 10:34-36? 3) What does the Bible teach on the state of soul after death? 4) Can Hindu polytheism be interpreted within the framework of DCW monotheism? 5) Why did Jesus use "eating flesh" language which was abhorrent to his Jewis audience?
How do culture and suffering shape our faith? Mike Chu unpacks his story with Mel and Rich, exploring the Chinese church, Awakening School, and why theology, mentorship, and mission matter more than ever in today's spiritual landscape. You can find Awakening (AWKNG) School of Theology here: https://awkng.com/ You can find the Shane & Shane songs mentioned in this podcast here: Psalms 45 https://youtu.be/-d_lQI15fxo?si=-hl3FiECl4F5C7dA Psalms 46 https://youtu.be/PKs_gQecaDY?si=k9yWx1F0Ekk1NEe...
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer five questions sent in by listeners: 1) How does a person go about studying the DCW and the related topics it uncovers? 2) How can a DCW increase a person's intimacy with God? 3) Are idols a human invention, and if so, does this show that gods are invented as well? 4) Can I combine Eastern Orthodoxy with western Protestant theology? 5) How should the gospel be presented to a child—say, a 7-year old?
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer five questions sent in by listeners: 1) Are there foundational beliefs regarding the identity of Jesus and Yahweh in order to be worshipping the correct deity? 2) Is the Hebrew text (MT) younger than the Septuagint? 3) What sins were considered "high-handed"? 4) Are spirit "hauntings" related to sacred space? 5) Does the DCW favor the New Perspective on Paul?
In this episode, Ronn and Mike answer five questions sent in by listeners: Could the effects of Jesus' "finished work" have been true while he was still active in his ministry? Did the church fathers use "faith" to mean "loyalty" or "allegiance"? How does the Septuagint handle the Hebrew definite article when it translates the phrase "the angel of the LORD" into Greek? Can a Mormon have saving faith? Is "sonship" to be understood differently than "inheritance"? Will we have different inheritance...
