Scott Meadows’s Reviews > The Unseen Realm > Status Update

Probably still one of the most fun reads I’ve had

What do you mean by biblicism?

👀

Jaden wrote: "Probably still one of the most fun reads I’ve had"

Explicitly stated disregard for Christian tradition, the formulation of a new interruptive tradition in the process, and sometimes lackluster prooftexting. Many other reviews even on this platform articulate it better than I can. The cosmology is fun, but I would love to see it connected to how the great tradition has interpreted the angelic hierarchy.

I'm assuming this comment was meant for me, Scott 😆

So how does one provide fresh readings of Scripture in this framework? How does that hermeneutic allow for new discoveries? The Reformers didn't have access to the DSS which have been revolutionary for NT studies. Seems to be an a priori commitment that negates meaningful inquiry. This doesn't mean new observations cannot and should not be weighed by tradition. I'd much rather have the first century context inform my reading than the 16th, though. While an interaction with the reception history might be illuminating, an author can't do everything in every book. Peace.

Of course, I've not read Heiser—so maybe it is that bad but I'm still curious about your methodological critiques.

Shane wrote: "I'm assuming this comment was meant for me, Scott 😆

So how does one provide fresh readings of Scripture in this framework? How does that hermeneutic allow for new discoveries? The Reformers didn'..."

Oops! I swear, the HTML required to reply to messages on this app is archaic at best.

What I meant is that Heiser says several times in the book that his method requires disagreement with Roman, Orthodox, Reformation, or simply church history traditions in order to follow his interpretation of the Divine Council. My old Hebrew professor argued that he couldn't find anything wrong with Heiser's exegesis "from the text alone" which to me implies the need for church history to get involved. Anything "new" should worry most people, but I would be interested in whether this actually is new. Maybe a theologian with a less evangelical and more sacramental worldview, like Rev. Dr. Boersma, who specializes in big cosmology and has written on angelic hierarchies could weigh in. (That might be out there, I haven't taken the time to look for it.)

That being said, a deacon in my Anglican parish who LOVES the great tradition has also read or listened to almost everything Heiser released. Heiser's work can probably fit into the great tradition somehow, but that wasn't his initial goal.

All in peace, these are just my observations. The Bible Project videos influenced by Heiser seem to fit into the way many Orthodox talk about idolatry and demonology. Sometimes just want everyone to use the same language. :)

Lol—and we know Amazon can't afford to spend a cent on Goodreads 😆

Okay I see what you are saying. That is strange, especially since (from what little I know about Heiser and the arguments) the Enochic material is central and has found a home in Ethiopian Orthodoxy from the beginning. Personally I don't share the same concern for "new" ideas—I seem as an invitation to explore their reception (if there is one) but also to be ready to speak where tradition doesn't. This is also one of my qualms with the GT: it leans too western at times and neglects subsuharan and eastern expressions.