Theology

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

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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.

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

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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.

 

Are there spiritual portals linked to locations? Iron and Myth podcast discussion

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DO PLACES EXIST where the veil between this world and the next is thinner—namely, portals?

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, and join Derek Gilbert to discuss the concept of portals.

From Mount Hermon to the Tower of Babel to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a belief in portals between the supernatural and human realms is ancient and widespread.

Do portals actually exist? Can our entertainment choices open us up to spiritual influences?

This would all be an intellectual exercise if Jesus hadn’t specifically chosen to declare his divinity at Caesarea Philippi, a location widely believed to be a portal in the ancient world.

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Iron and Myth 24 – Tis the Season to Talk About Giants

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Studying topics like giants, gods, and dragons in the Bible is important.

But does focusing on these subjects detracts from the message of love, grace, and salvation in Jesus Christ?

Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), best-selling author of the new novel 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, join us to discuss the significance of geographic locations and religious context in biblical events with Derek Gilbert on A View From the Bunker.

Jesus himself waged war with demons, principalities and powers who rebelled against their Creator. We need a comprehensive theology that includes historical, cultural, and biblical knowledge. Without it, we cannot recognize or understand the devices of the enemy.

As our good friend the late Dr. Michael Heiser used to say, “If it’s in the Bible and it’s weird, it’s probably important.”

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Sorcery in the Bible and Our World – Iron and Myth Podcast # 22

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GOD WAS very clear when He told Moses that sorcery was absolutely forbidden. Would He have bothered to mention it if it was make-believe?

Brian Godawa (www.Godawa.com), author of the new novel 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, join their monthly round table to discuss witches, warlocks, and the forbidden practice of spell-casting.

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THIS Is How We BEAT Hollywood and its Wokeness

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If you’ve been bothered by how woke Hollywood has gotten, then don’t miss this discussion! In this video I chat with Hollywood filmmaker and author Brian Godawa, author of the brand new novel: Cruel Logic.

We chat about how Christians can tell better stories, whether or not sex and violence are appropriate in films, and Christians can get movies made in today’s anti-Christian culture. Check it out 🙂

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Iron and Myth Podcast: The Origin of Demons

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DEMONS ARE the spirits of the giants destroyed in the Flood of Noah.

At least, that’s what Jews of the Second Temple period and the early Christian church believed.

Author and pastor Doug Van Dorn, bestselling author and award-winning screenwriter Brian Godawa, and Director of the Institute of Biblical Anthropology Dr. Judd Burton join Derek Gilbert’s podcast for our monthly Iron and Myth round table to discuss the origin of evil spirits. We dig into what the Bible says about these spirits, extrabiblical texts, and startling evidence that the demigod heroes of Greece like Herakles and Perseus were the Rephaim of the Amorites, Canaanites, and Hebrews.

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Tribute to Dr. Michael Heiser – Iron and Myth Podcast

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Renowned Bible scholar, author, friend, and mentor Dr. Michael Heiser stepped into eternity Monday, February 20, 2023.

All of us owe Mike a debt. Director of the Institute of Biblical Anthropology Dr. Judd Burton, bestselling author and award-winning screenwriter Brian Godawa, and Pastor Doug Van Dorn return this week with Derek Gilbert to share memories of Mike—how we first became aware of his work, how it’s influenced our lives, and the legacy Mike leaves behind.

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