The Forgotten Heavens: Six Essays on Cosmology

by Douglas Wilson (Editor), Terry Morin, Evan Wilson

Our modern cosmology suggests that the universe can be explained through astronomy and mathematics. But this seems far too simplistic, not to mention rather dull.

Are stars angels? Do satyrs truly exist? What does a seraph look like? Can demons tell the future? What does God's creation contain beyond the visible realm?

In the following essays, such questions are not peremptorily dismissed but are engaged with on the basis of what can be found in the Bible. We are not living in a world that can be easily dissected in a laboratory. Our universe is filled with intelligence and life, and the creativity behind it can only be understood fully through the Creator.

This book includes essays from Evan and Douglas Wilson, Chris Schlect, Wes Callihan, and others.
Essays:
The Heavens, Hades, & Man Between - Douglas Wilson
Celestials & Thronophanies - Terry Morin
The Governing Princes - Evan Wilson
Divination & Witchcraft - Greg Dickison
A Biblical Look at Angels / Christopher Schlect
Satyrs, Lilith, & Lunatics / Wesley Callihan

Genres: Theology, Christian, Philosophy

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

I write in order to make the little voices in my head go away. Thus far it hasn't worked.

Reviews

[Suzannah Rowntree · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Forgotten Heavens is a hard book to review. On the one hand, I love gnosis, arcane knowledge, and it’s about time that someone actually took a clear-headed Protestant look at what the Bible has to say about the unseen world. On the other hand, some of what this book says is just not supported enough to be more than a nice theory. In summary, I guess, the fact that this book is so very slender (124 pages) demonstrates how little information we’re actually dealing with here, and what very few conclusions we can possibly draw from what we know.

Still, this book has a lot going for it.

First, it’s more interested in looking at what Scripture actually says, than borrowing either Christian or Jewish folklore. While some of the conclusions drawn can’t be taken as more than wild guesses, the book at least starts with Scripture.

Second, the book is intended, and most useful as, not so much a sober cosmology of the universe but as a corrective to post-Enlightenment materialist thought. Many Christians are unthinking materialists. They believe in God, and they believe in angels (although their belief does not seem to extend to believing that angels ever seriously affect reality); they believe in an arch-fiend, Satan, and subservient demons, but that’s it. But the Bible includes ghosts, dragons, satyrs, unicorns, and the creepy night-time stranglers—lilith. Whether we arrive at the same conclusions about them as this book does, or not, we still can’t just overlook their existence. The world is a great deal stranger than the post-Enlightenment world wants us to think.

Third, there is a lot of really good information here. It’s worthwhile to be reminded that Biblical cosmology is not necessarily the way we think of it: that Sheol/Hades is different to Gehenna, that the Bible speaks of evil governing princes of the nations, and that moon-induced madness, or “lunacy”, is apparently a real thing. And isn’t it about time someone sat down and looked at all the different creatures we see surrounding the glory-cloud of God?

Fourth, there are also a lot of interesting points and theories here which, while ranging from somewhat credible to whoa-that’s-wacky, are all worth thinking about. For example, the fact that New Testament writers refer to Greek concepts like Hades and Tartarus, without redefinition. Peter says the Nephilim inhabit Tartarus. Does this link these ancient giants to the Greek Titans, bound in Tartarus? Of course we can never know, but it’s an interesting thought.

Fifth and finally, this book does a great job of demonstrating something I first had an inkling of reading Augustine’s City of God. This is probably what excites me most. The fact is that the cosmos is a lot weirder than we think. Angelic intelligences inhabit winds, fires, and possibly even the stars. Michael and Gabriel had a lot of fun in the past battling the governing princes of this world—the princes of Persia and Greece, and finally Satan—and so what are they up to now? All these people have their own stories, their own struggles and temptations. They are our co-citizens in the Kingdom of Heaven. I really look forward to hearing some of those stories if and when the time comes.

[Steve Hemmeke · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing book.
A mixture of insightful and strained interpretation of Scripture.

Strengths
- lots of Biblical texts cited
- main thesis is sound: angels and spirits are real and our modernism leads us to distort the text, ruling out the possibility of actual activity and intervention on their part in our world and lives.

Weaknesses
- the essays seemed scattered and not very coherent. Maybe because of the partial and fleeting knowledge we are given.
- there is some reliance on extra-Biblical sources for context. I can tolerate that as long as there isn't...
- speculation beyond Scripture. It isn't too heavy or frequent, but it's there at a couple points.

1. Doug Wilson looks at stars (as beings?), Hades, Sheol, and Hell, and how the last 3 relate, especially to Jesus' time between death and resurrection.

2. Cherubim and Seraphim, and beasts around them

3. gods and lords ruling the nations (Deut 32:8; Ps 82; 1 Cor 8:5-6; Dan 10; Eph 6:12). Some of them as idols found in the Bible (Baal, Molech, etc.)

4. Divination and witchcraft. Demons worked real wonders to mislead many. Oracles, the witch of Endor, the girl in Acts 16, etc.

5. Angels - Bible uses the word for human messengers and appearances of God Himself, but there are also real angels with some hierarchy and responsibilities (Ps 91:11; Matt 18:10; Luke 2: 2 Sam 24). They help us in spiritual warfare (Dan 10:20-23). This was one of the more helpful, clear and unspeculative essays.

6. Satyrs in Isa 13:21; 34:13-14; Lev 17:7; 2 Chr 11:15; 2 Kings 23:8. Translation is the obstacle, here, with most translations going with a known animal instead of "satyr." They are demons depicted as part man/boy part goat legs (Mr. Tumnus?!) Lilith was a female night demon of Babylon. Isaiah is prophesying against Babylon: she will rest, not wreak havoc. Also a good treatment of those with epilepsy, or "moonstruck" in Matt 4:24; 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-42.

A good book if you're wondering about these Scriptures specifically. If you're interested in the worldview more abstractly I'd recommend CS Lewis' "The Discarded Image."

[William Schrecengost · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew I’d have some disagreements but expected a greater degree of agreement. This was a set of six essays on biblical cosmology, especially regarding angels and spiritual beings. It seems like they read the Unseen Realm together and decided to write these in that inspiration, but with less space to argue their ideas. I found the first three essays to be pretty terrible. Largely speculative and their hermeneutic was highly literal, which especially disappointed me since I’d learned so much of typology and analogy from these men. These essays also seemed schizophrenic in their browbeating of Greek philosophy and then turning around and lifting up Greek mythology as a valid argument to support their thesis.
The 4th and 6th essays were mediocre to me. They were on divination and witchcraft and on satyrs and Lilith.
The best one was the fifth by Christopher Schlect. He makes an examination of scriptures use of angels and rightly points out that this is actually a word meaning messenger and that it could be used regarding either spiritual beings or human. That this needs to be taken into account when interpreting these passages. We can’t just state that angels are stars.

[Joshua Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every modern Christian needs to read this book.

[Caleb M. Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some fun stuff, some speculation that I think went too far. Worth reading.

[John Rimmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of these essays were good, but some were great. A great compendium of hard to find information about topics and texts that are too often obscured, avoided, or held at an embarrassed arm's length.

[Jesse Broussard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well. First off, this book is hard to review, as it is a collection of six essays from six authors on six different subjects, but here goes.

Evan Wilson's was most definitely the most unusual and paradigmatic, and I think I mean that in a good way, but I really couldn't say with any level of certainty. It was more foreign than anything I've read since I picked up my Hebrew Psalter (though it was very clearly and coherently written). It discusses the offices of angels (those that have fallen, those that haven't, and, as Terry Pratchett put it, those that did not so much fall as saunter vaguely downwards), and as an essay on such, is necessarily straining rather uncomfortably for solid ground to stand upon. Have no fear though: his thoughts are limber.

And such an outlook: Scripturally founded (I think) and absolutely alien to the modern evangelical mind, especially as regards Satan and our dualistic tendencies. Even if you disagree with the entire essay (no comment), it is absolutely worth reading. And he actually sold me on a couple of very unusual points, which I will not mention here, lest the stones start flying. I honestly haven't changed any of my opinions so dramatically since I found out that there were Christians that didn't believe in the rapture. A tremendously worthwhile read, if for no purpose beyond straining your mind and sharpening your skills of argumentation.

The last essay was probably the most well-balanced of them all, so far as solid Scriptural foundation and yet novel enough to be very interesting, and by interesting I mean that drooling starts at the title.

I'm tentative about reviewing any more of them, aside from the comment that Wilson's preface was as good as I was hoping, and I came to love the aside "and they went into the pit alive" even more than I did before.

[Ryan Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second time reading this through, but I had forgotten many of the smaller points. In short, it is a very interesting and intriguing book. What is very compelling about it is their desire to throw away the presuppositional materialistic lens that so many (even Evangelical) scholars bring to the Bible concerning the celestial realm. This was refreshing, and it was helpful to hear each author just try to deal with the text.

That being said, some authors did this better than others. All admitted that not too much could be known because the Bible doesn't speak too much on the topic, but some then said more than the Bible allows. It isn't that they added revelation, it is more that they pieced together the revelation beyond what Scripture would require. It would've been better if some of them would've said, "It could be that..." Instead, a few authors piece together the information and then claim that the Bible teaches it. Some authors do not; they admit that it only 'could be this way'.

As a whole though, I am very pleased that this book was published. It was honest, clear, intriguing, and more books like this dealing with biblical cosmology would be helpful.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who knew that assertions of such far-reaching import could be delivered in such a mind-numbingly boring fashion?

This book contains the idea that many of our beliefs about the supernatural beings presented in the Bible are wrong because they also incorporate elements brought in from many other sources, and it's hard to argue with this point. (It's also strange that in a book making this case, there are so many references to the apocrypha. I would have preferred otherwise except in those cases in which the authors were demonstrating from where some of the wrong ideas we moderns have may have originated.) Nevertheless, the bookends here were excellent, as they would be, having been written by Douglas Wilson and Wesley Callihan.

[Matt Carpenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are some of the most interesting essays I've read about cosmology (the study of physical and in this case spiritual) structure of the universe. Each essay is by a different writer and some are much better than others. The best essays are in the beginning of the book but each one presents ideas that make one think. Since the essays attempt to view cosmology from a biblical perspective, the work is even more enlightening. You won't agree with all you read, but you will be challenged.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third reading.

How easily we explain away mysterious or strange things in Scripture, how easily we assume that a more rational interpretation must be made to fit in with our limited cosmology! These essays unashamedly attempt to look at the ‘stranger parts’ and subjects of Scripture without a post-Enlightenment mind. There is something fresh and stimulating and faith-strengthening in this, even if one reserves judgment on some of the actual explanations ventured.

Loved it.

[Derek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly the most provocative (and pleasurable) of the contributions is Evan Wilson's. His outright dismissal of Satan as arch-fiend—and his suggestion that the evil Prince was already bound, released and destroyed "centuries ago"—is a blasphemy of such towering magnificence, utterly worthy of the severest discipline your local Sunday school teacher is invested to exercise.

[Matthew Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating! Though I will continue to examine and study the spiritual realm of angels, demons, prophecies, satyrs, exorcisms, heaven, hell, and divination, this book provided a clear and engaging series of discussions that was nothing short of insightful.

[Stephen Lay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Where do I start? This book has made me realise which cosmological assumptions I grew up with that are tenuous at best, and outright unscriptural at worst. I am just so delighted to see how the Scriptures show a cosmos that is not dead and sparse, full of inanimate rocks and gases, but rather teeming with life, power, intellect, worship and battle.

I am going to get the paperback of this one, because I need to go over every scripture reference and take some notes for myself. There is so much about the celestial creatures I had not thought very biblically about. This book brings the principle of "semper reformanda" (always reforming) into the heavens, where my reformation of thought and worldview shall continue.

Read it!!

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Books on the topic of the unseen realm and other forms of Biblical cosmological theology did not originate with Michael Heiser, which is surprising to some. In fact, there has been a lot of ink spilled on these subjects throughout the years including this book of essays put out by the Canon Press crew. Look for familiar topics, such as the divine council, angelology and demonology, the Nephilim, sons of Anak, and so on. Some of the essays are very good and worth reading twice, others are very basic (specifically the essay on angels).

[Luke Deacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of helpful and interesting observations, but few solid conclusions (understandably!). Doug’s essay was easily the best, with Evan’s next (definitely winning the “weirdest and need-to-return-to-after-more-reading prize”), and Schlect’s third. Wes Callihan’s elucidation of satyrs and the Babylonian female night-demon Lilith was very cool. Don’t believe the translators when they call it a screech owl.

[McKenzie Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Forgotten Heavens is a great intro to the spiritual world from a biblical perspective to a materialist audience. The authors give helpful context to ancient understanding of cosmology and do a fair job at staying within the lines of what the Bible says while expanding the perspective of the typical modern Protestant.

[Aurora Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

One of the crazier books put out by Wilson, this one argues, among other things, that the premodern cosmological structure is literal, delves into the different species of angels in the bible, and argues that mythozoological animals like chimeras and unicorns were real.

[David Bruyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wilson's thoughts on stars is fascinating. Not quite sure of some of the other essays, particularly the idea that Satan is a minor prince since defeated. Doesn't seem to jibe with New Testament thinking.

[Ben Nash · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great reference book about the heavens and many topics/words in the Bible that often get overlooked. Doug's article at the beginning stands out strong compared to the rest of the articles. Fascinating book.

[Zach de Walsingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, some essays are better than others. All are worth reading.

[Kelsey Kurtinitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating! It is worth thinking deeply about biblical cosmology.

[Will Dole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really uneven. Insightful and brilliant; boring and pedantic and wildly speculative.

[Rachel Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

secrets of the universe!

[Emma R. Pilcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good stuff. I am digging the limbus patrum since reading Crux, Mors, Inferi.

[M.G. Bianco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever seen a movie after which you walked away thinking how great a movie it could have been based on what story the director was trying to tell, but knowing the movie wasn't that great because he didn't succeed in telling it well?

That is how I feel about this book.

Forgotten Heavens is a book that could've been great. The questions that the essay authors are raising are great questions. After reading the book, however, I felt like too much was left unanswered. They told me that things like satyrs exist(ed), but then didn't tell me what that means, what I'm supposed to do with this new knowledge. If it doesn't impact my worldview (which I'm sure it should), then why should I care if they exist(ed)?

Wilson's article, the first in the book, is probably the best of them. He does a better job of making sense out of his suggestions, but the rest left me hanging. I want more. If the essays are enough to drive me to find the more on my own, then they succeeded, but I'm not sure they are.

On a side note, the editing in the book could use some work as well. Additionally, I'm not convinced that the sons of God in Genesis 6 are celestial beings, either, but that is neither here nor there at this point.

Ultimately, I think this book should be read, but it will probably create more questions than answers. If that was the authors' intent, then they succeeded, but if it was, they didn't do a good job of making that clear.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doug Wilson and others turned their presentations at a conference into a short book that tries to explain the universe as the Bible depicts it. There are chapters on celestial beings (cherubim, seraphim, orphanim, and living ones from Ezekiel and Revelation), "the governing princes" (principalities), divination and witchcraft, and other things that don't fit into a naturalistic worldview.

The best chapter, in my view, was Doug Wilson's called "The Heavens, Hades, & Man Between," which described the heavens populated with the heavenly host (stars, which aren't only flaming gas), Sheol (corresponding to the Greek concept of Hades, where the dead dwell), Hell (Gehenna), and the New Jerusalem. The rest of the book was a bit uneven in that rest of the chapters were not as substantial as I would have liked.

The overall theme is that the world as seen by the biblical writers is quite different from a naturalistic view, and that the Bible should be understood in these terms rather than translated to smooth out these difficulties.

[Adam Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mixed bag. Three or four of the essays went too far, it seemed to me, in leaning on mythology and rabbinical legends to establish various things. Wilson's assumption that the Nephilim were angel-man half breeds again rears its head in this book. Nonetheless, the first two and the last two essays remained phenomenal, discussing satyrs, lilth, and dragons in the Bible. A lot of helpful stuff here.

[Jeff McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very intriguing read, bringing in many foreign concepts to the modern mind. Things often thought by us to be fantasy or mythology iare examined from a biblical historical use and application. Honestly, if what this book portrays is literally real, it drastically changeable our understandings of the ancient world and spirit realm. I think a lot of it make sense though. Well worth the read no matter what your final conclusion is.

[Peter Bringe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I concur with the sentiment of several of the other reviewers of this book on Goodreads concerning the difficulty of reviewing this book. The essays were thought-provoking, with some being helpful and insightful and others being a bit strange (mainly "The Governing Princes"). See the other reviews for more detail. Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it showed me that there is a lot I/we don't know. Humility is a good thing to find after reading a book.