The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible Hardcover – Illustrated, 1 Sept. 2015

This is a book that I found that once I started reading I could not put down. This is a surprising thing to say about a book that is essentially a text book. Yet you do not have to have a theology degree or ministry diploma to appreciate Michael Heiser's work. An open and enquiring mind will do, but every reader will need to be prepared to be challenged as I have discovered, it will change how we see and understand and interpret the Bible.For those readers who have been trained theologically, this book will put us back into the seminar rooms where we can exercise our brain cells and hold dialogue internally as we reengage with scripture through the perspective of the Ancient Near East. Not the predominant culture that has shaped our thinking thus far.I suspect that I will read this book a few more times to pick up on nuances that I have not yet picked up. However, before I do that I must families myself with Michael Heisers other works first.

Arrived before date given, very well packaged.Dr. Michael Heiser was a really interesting and well read man. I do listen to his Naked Bible Podcast and I cannot recommend this book enough. All I can say is, buy it, read it. You will never be disappointed.

Really learned a few things I'd never come across before.

Decided to read the book after listening to Dr. Heiser’s Naked Bible Podcast.Why had I not heard this sort of material before? I know not, but I am a better student of the Scriptures for the insights gained into how Scripture actually presents our reality in both spiritual/invisible and physical/visible senses.Once you get your head around the paradigm shift, it actually makes the Bible more understandable and coherent.

The research for this book is pretty flawless and though I have taught and studied the Bible at professional level all my adult life, I learnt quite a lot, while what I already knew was ordered and put in place. The central argument is that we tend |(especially in more 'reformed' circles) to interpret the Bible in a way much influenced by rationalism and the so-called Enlightenment. This was not the thinking of the ancients, which was much more supernaturalist. I read the first two chapters with entire fascination. In the third chapter, I began to think 'I am not sure I agree with all of this.' This was more to do with his interpretation of evidence than the evidence itself, in particular his idea that, although God created the earth and declared it 'very good', it was not perfect and therefore Adam and Eve were told to subdue it. This seemed to me to pass very lightly over the theology of the Fall and God's perfect knowledge of the subsequent growth of civilisation, bad and good, and events such as world hunger, natural disasters and epidemics of sickness (such as Covid 19!).As I read on, I found this happening again, for example over his discussion of human freedom vs. predestination. I loved seeing the biblical picture emerge as he continued to discuss passages in the light of his research, but then (to me) he went further than the passage warranted in his attempts to philosophize. He made good points, but again, I wanted to argue with his conclusions. I enjoyed this, because it was quite evident that he was making me question my presuppositions and think hard about my conclusions. So, despite any reservations I might have about his more philosophical ideas, I still give this book five stars. I'd give it six stars if they were available.I haven't read all of this detailed book, because each chapter take study and thought, and I will certainly add to this review in time. These are initial thoughts which I may even have to retract later! I have certainly been stimulated to think. I am very glad I came across this author and have already bought another of his books. Truly fascinating!

I first came across Dr. Michael Heiser through his involvement in the "Ancient Aliens Debunked" documentary. I was intrigued why a Biblical scholar would take the time to debunk the ancient alien series.Since finding his website http://drmsh.com I have been hooked. I have since read both of his fiction novels and his book "I Dare You Not to Bore Me with the Bible" all of which I would thoroughly recommend.I also set out to listen to every talk I could find from Dr. Michael Heiser on YouTube and on his website. I soon came into contact with the "Deuteronomy 32 Worldview" and it just made sense. It filled in all of the missing pieces of the jigsaw puzzle.Coming from a Charismatic background I have been aware of popular forms of Christian angelology and demonology. I would also therefore had considered myself 'open' to the supernatural worldview of the Bible. Also possessing a degree in Biblical Studies and Applied Theology I have also read a great deal of scholarly work on the Bible. Neither of these two things prepared me fully for what I discovered in 'The Unseen Realm'.Dr. Michael Heiser begins by showing us how an ancient Israelite would have pictured God and his heavenly host and then proceeds to follow the whole meta narrative of scripture showing us how the "Deuteronomy 32 Worldview" impacts and intersects with each sub section of the overarching storyline.I really enjoyed the discussions around paradise and Eden as a garden and a mountain. This idea is later linked to Armageddon and the New Earth.I found the discussions surrounding theophanies in the Old Testament very interesting, mind-blowing in places. The discussions around glorification are also excellent.I think that everyone who reads this book will teach like I did by saying 'how have I not seen all of this before?'. Dr. Michael Heiser will open your eyes to the worldview of the ancient Israelites and you will begin to read the scriptures just as they did with ancient eyes.'The Unseen Realm' is a paradigm altering book. It will open your eyes to the world described in the Bible like very few other books can. I loved this book so much I downloaded the audiobook as well. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Ive really taken my time working through this book as it contains so much to think about, and so many passages explained, ive learned more from this than any book in a long time, definitely recommend.