The Bible and Mesopotamian Myth: Iron and Myth podcast

Posted on November 25, 2024 by admin

Skeptics often claim that the Hebrew Bible must have been copied from older Mesopotamian texts.

Frankly, this is lazy thinking by people looking for excuses not to deal with God.

Our Iron and Myth crew joins us to discuss the relationship between the Bible and Mesopotamian religion: Doug Van Dorn (www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods and Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of Chronicles of the Nephilim, Chronicles of the Watchers, the theological thriller Cruel Logic, and a forthcoming novel based on the period of the Maccabees in Judea. Sadly, Dr. Judd Burton (www.BurtonBeyond.net) was unable to join us this month.

We discuss the parallels between creation stories from different cultures, including Mesopotamian and Mesoamerican myths, and the implications of these similarities for understanding the Bible.

We dig into the nature of myth and history, the importance of context in biblical interpretation, and the need for a nuanced approach to understanding ancient texts.

There is an intricate relationship between myth and history, particularly in the context of biblical narratives.

It’s important to understand ancient texts through the lens of genre and cultural context, and at the end of the day the Bible’s authority does not negate the value of other literature.

Watch or listen here

A Defense of Michael Heiser Against Slanderous Accusations

Posted on September 3, 2024September 3, 2024 by admin

The late Michael Heiser and his teachings have recently come under fire by a group of folks who recently released a 2.5 hour video making erroneous assertions about him and his teachings. We gathered a high-octane panel of those most familiar with Heiser’s teachings in a civil theological rebuttal to these claims. This was a great podcast where I got to share alot in defending Mike. Giant Steps Podcast with Doug Van Dorn. Watch or Listen Here

Cool New Book Trailer for Chronicles of the Nephilim

Posted on August 13, 2024August 13, 2024 by admin

I just had this new trailer created for my best-selling Bible novel series Chronicles of the Nephilim.

The audio commercial was done by Mark Wangerin. Visuals by Justin Sandmann.

Both of these guys are consummate professionals!

It really captures the sense of spiritual warfare that the Bible depicts with a powerful redemption.

You can watch it here on YouTube

Enjoy!

Iron and Myth: Debunking the “Nephilim are not giants” Theory

Posted on July 30, 2024 by admin

“THERE WERE GIANTS in the earth in those days.”

Those nine words are among the most controversial in the entire Bible.

Who or what were the Nephilim? Doug Van Dorn (www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods, and Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of Chronicles of the Nephilim and the theological thriller Cruel Logic, join us for our monthly Iron and Myth roundtable to discuss the giants of the pre-Flood world.

We address the arguments against understanding these beings as literal hybrid creatures and explore the reasons why this interpretation is not taught in seminaries.

We highlight the importance of addressing contrary views and the need to consider multiple interpretations of theological concepts.

Our conversation touches on the role of the Septuagint in understanding the giants and the connection between the giants and the divine council, the interpretation of the Hebrew word ‘Nephilim’ and its connection to the ‘sons of God’ and ‘daughters of men’ in Genesis 6, and the significance of cosmic geography and the cult of the dead in relation to the giants.

Watch or listen on YouTube

Iron and Myth: The Sons of God in Genesis 6 – Sethites and Dynastic Kings Debunked

Posted on June 18, 2024 by admin

A DEBATE over the nature and identity of a shadowy group mentioned in the Book of Genesis has divided Christian theologians for the last 1,600 years.

This month, our Iron and Myth roundtable discusses the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:1–4. Were they divine beings or humans?

And if they were just flesh and blood, how did their unions with “daughters of men” result in the Nephilim (which we’ll discuss next month)?

Joining Derek Gilbert to hash this out are Doug Van Dorn (www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods, Dr. Judd Burton (www.BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview With the Giant, and Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of the theological thriller Cruel Logic.

Our discussion explores the interpretation of the phrase ‘sons of God’ in Genesis 6 and its implications in the Old and New Testaments.

We delve into the Sethite view, the dynastic king view, and the supernatural view, examining the historical and linguistic context of the phrase.

The Septuagint’s role in clarifying the supernatural elements is also highlighted.

We also address the fear of mythology and selective theology based on personal bias.

The conversation also explores the divine right of kings, the nature of the angel of the Lord, the concept of the Nephilim, the cultural context of ancient beliefs, and the danger of interpreting ancient scriptures while projecting modern values onto the past.

Watch or listen here

Iron and Myth Podcast: Psalm 82 – Gods or Human Judges?

Posted on May 28, 2024 by admin

When are gods not gods? When they’re rebranded as human judges or rulers to avoid uncomfortable theological implications.

Derek Gilbert, hosts. Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of the theological thriller Cruel Logic, Doug Van Dorn (www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods, and Dr. Judd Burton (www.BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview With the Giant, discuss a Hebrew phrase in Genesis 6:2 that has led to a lot of theological discussion over the last 1,700 years.

Are the bene ha-elohim (“sons of God”) angelic beings or is that simply a term that refers to human rulers who allowed themselves to be corrupted.

Psalm 82 reads like a courtroom scene in heaven if one accepts the supernatural interpretation of “sons of God” or “sons of the Most High.”

However, because Jesus quotes Psalm 82:6 (“I said, ‘You are gods’”) in John 10:34, responding to a group of Jews who wanted to stone him for claiming to be divine, there are those who argue that Psalm 82 does not refer to supernatural beings.

We discuss Jesus’s use of Psalm 82 in John 10; in a nutshell, he would not have claimed to be divine (“I and the Father are one” – John 10:30) and then immediately said, in effect, “But it’s OK because you’re all gods, too.”

Watch or listen here

Iron and Myth – Psalm 29 – What does Baal have to do with Yahweh anyway?

Posted on May 1, 2024 by admin

The Psalms are often polemics directed at the gods of the pagan nations around Israel. Case in point is the subject of this month’s Iron and Myth roundtable, Psalm 29.

Host Derek Gilbert, Dr. Judd Burton (www.BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview With the Giant, Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of the new novel Cruel Logic, and Doug Van Dorn (www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods, discuss Psalm 29 and its interpretation from a divine counsel perspective.

We explore the translation of the Hebrew phrase bene elim as “sons of God” and its connection to the divine council (Psalm 82:1).

We also discuss the similarities between Psalm 29 and Canaanite poetry about Baal, suggesting that the psalm may be a subversive polemic against Baal worship.

We also highlight the geographical references in the psalm and their significance in relation to the storm-god language. It’s important to recognize these similarities and understand the cultural context of the biblical world.

Not only did the Hebrew prophets and psalmists take direct aim at the gods of their pagan neighbors, their writings reveal Christ in the Old Testament.

Watch or listen on YouTube here.

Iron and Myth Podcast: The Gods of War in the War of Gods

Posted on March 26, 2024 by admin

Some of the most epic stories from the ancient world deal with the wars of the gods.

It’s not a coincidence that one of the most commonly used titles for God in the Bible is “Lord of hosts,” which literally means “Yahweh of armies.”

Doug Van Dorn (www.douglasvandorn.com), author of Giants: Sons of the Gods, Dr. Judd Burton (www.BurtonBeyond.net), author of Interview With the Giant, and Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of the new novel Cruel Logic, get together with Derek Gilbert to discuss warrior gods of the ancient world like Ares/Mars, Inanna/Ishtar, Baal/Zeus/Jupiter, and the violent old gods the Titans, and how their motives differ from those of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

We also talk about how we Christians, believing in a loving God who’s willing to forgive those who repent and accept Him as Lord, can reconcile the image of Jesus as the suffering servant with the depiction of Yahweh the warrior.

Watch or listen here.

God’s Comic Brad Stine Interviews Brian Godawa on Conversion, Hollywood and Nephilim

Posted on March 19, 2024March 20, 2024 by admin

I was on Brad Stine’s podcast to talk about my conversion to Christianity, my Hollywood screenwriting and my wildly successful Nephilim novels.

Brad is an interesting guy. I actually met him many years ago when he first started out. I did the graphic design for some of his marketing when he was with Clean Comedians.

My interview starts at 14:53.

Watch or listen here.