More Attacks on Dr. Michael Heiser (A Response)

[@Papasquatch73]

In response to a recent video critiquing the work of Dr. Michael Heiser, it’s important to clarify several misrepresentations of his theology and biblical scholarship. Heiser, a well-respected Hebrew Bible scholar, has made significant contributions to our understanding of the biblical worldview, especially regarding the Divine Council, the term Elohim, and the ancient Near Eastern context of scripture. Unfortunately, the video in question presents a distorted view of Heiser’s teachings, misinterpreting his arguments on monotheism, the Divine Council, and even going so far as to accuse him of promoting polytheism and Gnosticism. This post will address these claims by comparing the video’s assertions with Heiser’s actual work, offering a biblically grounded apologetic response that reflects his true positions and corrects the video’s misunderstandings. 1. Claim: Heiser Teaches Polytheism / Gnosticism Video’s Argument: The video claims that Michael Heiser promotes polytheism because he discusses multiple Elohim (gods) and uses Second Temple Jewish literature to justify it. He is also accused of being a "Neo-Gnostic" for teaching deification of man and that humans could lose their divinity. Response: Heiser has repeatedly rejected the accusation of polytheism in his works, especially in The Unseen Realm. He argues for "monotheism with divine plurality," a nuanced position that acknowledges the existence of multiple Elohim without compromising the uniqueness of Yahweh. Key Heiser Quote (The Unseen Realm, chapter “Yahweh and Other Gods”): “Yahweh is an Elohim; no other Elohim is Yahweh. Yahweh is species-unique.” Heiser’s point is that Elohim refers to entities in the spiritual realm (like angels, demons, the deceased) but that only Yahweh possesses the attributes of omnipotence, omniscience, and eternality. Heiser explicitly distances himself from Gnostic teachings, affirming that while humans are “partakers in the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4), they do not become gods in an ontological sense. This is consistent with Orthodox Christian teaching on theosis or sanctification. Humans never become "little Yahwehs." Reference: Heiser explains theosis in The Unseen Realm, in the chapter titled “Ruling with God,” where he makes it clear that believers do not become divine in nature, but are glorified in Christ. 2. Claim: Heiser’s Use of the Term Elohim Is Incorrect Video’s Argument: The video asserts that Heiser incorrectly uses the term Elohim to describe spiritual beings and that he misleads people into thinking humans are never called Elohim. Response: Heiser’s entire argument rests on understanding the Hebrew term Elohim as a "place of residence" term, not an ontological term. In The Unseen Realm, Heiser explains that Elohim simply means a being who resides in the spiritual realm (including Yahweh, angels, demons, and the souls of the dead-like in 1 Samuel 28:13, where the spirit of Samuel is called Elohim). Heiser is consistent with Hebrew grammar: Elohim refers to multiple entities without attributing divinity as a category to each of them. Yahweh’s uniqueness as the Creator and omniscient God is never in question. Regarding Psalm 82, Heiser’s analysis is that the term Elohim refers to divine beings (sons of God) who are members of the divine council, not human judges. The phrase “you will die like men” (Psalm 82:7) indicates these spiritual beings will lose their immortality, not that they are human beings. Reference: In The Unseen Realm, in the chapter “God’s Entourage,” Heiser engages in detailed word studies on Elohim, showing how its usage in the Old Testament applies to various spiritual beings, without implying polytheism. 3. Claim: Misunderstanding the Divine Council Video’s Argument: The video implies that Heiser teaches a pantheon of gods with Yahweh as the chief god, likening his view to Ugaritic mythology (Baal, El, and Asherah) and portraying it as pagan. Response: Heiser never advocates for a pantheon in the pagan sense. Instead, he argues from biblical texts (Psalm 82, Deuteronomy 32, 1 Kings 22, Job 1) that Yahweh is the supreme authority over a council of divine beings, which is a common Old Testament motif. These beings are not gods in the sense of rivals or equals to Yahweh. Heiser’s concept of the Divine Council comes directly from scripture, where Yahweh consults or passes judgment in the midst of divine beings. These are spiritual rulers appointed by God but who rebelled and were judged (as described in Psalm 82 and Daniel 10). Key Heiser Quote (The Unseen Realm, chapter “The Divine Council”): “The God of Israel is an elohim, but no other elohim is the God of Israel. He is unique and incomparable.” The association with Ugaritic mythology is not syncretism but is used by Heiser to explain the polemic context of biblical writers-how they contrasted Yahweh with false gods by using familiar cultural imagery. Reference: In The Unseen Realm, in the chapters "Yahweh and Other Gods" and "The Divine Council," Heiser discusses this Ugaritic background, not to promote paganism, but to highlight how biblical writers subverted the myths of surrounding nations to reveal Yahweh’s supremacy. 4. Claim: Heiser Believes the Bible Is Encrypted Video’s Argument: The video claims Heiser teaches that the Bible is “encrypted” in allegory and that only Heiser, or Hebrew scholars, can decode it, citing his explanation of 1 Corinthians 2:8. Response: Heiser never suggests that the Bible is cryptic in a Gnostic or elitist sense, where only a select few can interpret it. Instead, he explains the concept of “veiled” prophecies regarding the Messiah, particularly how key elements of God’s redemptive plan (like the crucifixion) were obscured in the Old Testament to prevent spiritual forces from thwarting God’s plan (see 1 Corinthians 2:6-8). The “encryption” language Heiser uses refers to the hidden or mysterious nature of some prophecies, which Paul himself mentions. This is not allegorizing the entire Bible but recognizing that some prophecies were intended to be partially veiled until their fulfillment in Christ. Reference: Heiser covers this topic in The Unseen Realm, in the chapter titled “The Powers Will Be Shaken.” He emphasizes that this is standard biblical exegesis regarding prophetic fulfillment, not some cryptic, elitist system. 5. Claim: Heiser’s Hermeneutic Distorts Scripture Video’s Argument: The video argues that Heiser distorts scripture by using ancient pagan contexts (like Ugaritic myths) and applying them to biblical theology. Response: Heiser’s method of interpreting scripture through the lens of ancient Near Eastern contexts is a standard approach in biblical scholarship. The goal is to understand how the original audience would have understood the text in their cultural and historical setting. Key Heiser Quote (The Unseen Realm, chapter “Interpreting the Bible in Its Own Context”): “We must interpret the Bible in its own context, not according to the traditions of the Reformation or the Enlightenment. We need to ask what biblical writers and their audiences would have thought.” Far from distorting the text, Heiser’s approach grounds it in its historical context, allowing modern readers to see how the biblical writers were often polemicizing against pagan religions. Yahweh’s superiority over all other Elohim is a key theme in the Old Testament. Reference: The Unseen Realm, in the chapter "Interpreting the Bible in Its Own Context," provides a framework for understanding Heiser’s hermeneutics, where he addresses how understanding Ugaritic and other ancient texts aids in grasping the polemical nature of Israel’s monotheism. 6. Claim: Heiser Denies the Resurrection and Bodily Immortality Video’s Argument: The video accuses Heiser of teaching that spiritual beings, including humans, can lose their immortality or divinity. Response: Heiser affirms the resurrection and the immortality of believers in Christ. He does not teach that spiritual beings (humans or divine council members) can lose their divinity because, as he explains, only Yahweh is inherently divine. Immortality is a gift from God, and spiritual beings (like those in Psalm 82) are stripped of their privilege, not their nature. Heiser distinguishes between contingent immortality (given by God) and inherent immortality (Yahweh alone). When humans or other Elohim are described as dying “like men” (Psalm 82), it reflects a stripping of their divine status, not a loss of essential divinity. Reference: The Unseen Realm, in the chapter "Ruling with God," where Heiser discusses the nature of divine beings and how Psalm 82 portrays their judgment, and Supernatural, in the chapter "The Crucifixion and the Powers of Darkness," clarifies that believers share in God’s glory, not His essence.

[@rlee1185]

I have no doubt that you wrote this, but I'm just curious, did you use an AI to help you edit it?

[@EulersIdentityCrisis]

lol the first time I read it I thought it was a ChatGPT summary of the video

[@Papasquatch73]

I did have it edit it. I like it. It keeps me from making it too emotional and stay on point.

[@mikethefarrier]

Notice how they waited until he was not around ti defend himself......because he was smarter than they are. RIP Dr Heiser

[@EulersIdentityCrisis]

To be fair Henning did begin his critiques while Heiser was still with us. But as you’ll see in the video, he doesn’t understand him. Whether that’s intentional or not, who knows.

[@onefeather2]

Agree.

[@RavensEagle]

​@@EulersIdentityCrisisEnvy one of the 7 deadly sins

[@roboutegiiliman-prime9074]

💯 Those cowards waited till he was no longer around. They knew M.HEISER would mop the floor with them. Fucking cowards🤬

[@richbaker6212]

These men would never have had the courage to do this when Heiser was alive. I appreciate you making these. It brings the bear out in me….. no sure I can be as gracious. Talk about my dead friend like this…

[@eversosleight]

I remember the resistance i held when first listening to Heiser's 9hr/ multiple day seminars. I've never heard this before. None of this lines with what I've been taught. Then slowly over time being confronted with Scripture upon Scripture, i eventually shifted my paradigm. You really can't fight against Scripture because you find yourself fighting against God. Heiser's books, Naked Bible PC, webinars, all of it has me level up in my faith.

[@roybatty2544]

I'm sticking with Dr Michael Heiser videos and teachings. Given us a Bigger Deeper Better Understanding of God's Holy Word. Keep up the good work

[@ryannelsonholt]

I consider Heiser my greatest teacher that I’ve never met. His work was imaculate and simple to follow, and he gave it all away on youtube besides selling books. Everything I have seen and heard are a man of unshakable faith and true humility. I think these guys are just resentful honestly. Sad little men. Blessings to all. 🙏

[@roboutegiiliman-prime9074]

💯

[@SabreenWolf]

Thank you so much for taking time to do this podcast! 🥰 You were calm and factual and presented everything in a very professional manner. 😊 Thank you so much! 👌

[@onefeather2]

Absolutely Love Dr Michael Heiser teachings, when Truth is told instead of man's traditions some people cannot take it. We need more like Dr Michael Heiser.

[@lissawoodall4346]

None of this was a waste of time. Thank you for setting the record straight. One it is good to go over some of these teachings and second it is good to speak up when others are trying to re-write history. I so appreciate this video.

[@EulersIdentityCrisis]

Glad you found it useful. I was very on the fence about doing it and posting it.

[@keepclimbing15]

Dr Heiser changed my faith dramatically. The Bible makes so much more sense to me. I love reading the Bible so much more now, I get excited about Scripture. I'll forever be grateful for his work. Thanks for taking the time to correct the errors of these critics! In my mind they are being purposefully obtuse because Mike's work makes them very uncomfortable.

[@pintadog]

I really appreciate you and your consistently valuable content. Thank you.

[@scubaoctopus]

I am loving this video!

[@JCNWTL]

Heiser’s work defends itself, even something more basic such as Supernatural, provides clarity to these futile attempts to discredit him. Doreen is seeking views, attention, and relevance as she has most of her life. Is it possible by defending Heiser , Doreen is getting the attention she is seeking?

[@clarekuehn4372]

No, corrections are important. We should be glad that this video maker is giving attention, light to the errors.

[@EulersIdentityCrisis]

This video isn't about Doreen and company. I thought this video was worth doing because specific claims are made (e.g. from the BDB, or 'Heiser was ignorant of ANET') that are demonstrably false. But the average person might not have the time or resources to check out all the claims.

[@JCNWTL]

@@EulersIdentityCrisis Agreed. Many may never read his work or have any other exposure. You did an excellent job in my opinion. I hadn’t seen this critique of Heiser before either, I shouldn’t bring Doreen into it. I’m happy to remove my comment, I meant no offense.

[@EulersIdentityCrisis]

It’s cool. I get it. At this point Doreen has been badly ratio’d by the responses. Especially her first video. Her second video and these guys have mostly been ignored; I figured I’d step up even though it pains me. lol

[@AllegiancetoYahweh]

Thank you again for another great video. You have done a wonderful job defending what Dr. Heiser said and wrote, and the Scriptures as well. God bless you and keep up the good fight.

[@davidgustafson-td6ru]

Thank you for an accurate, clear and scholarly presentation. I thoroughly enjoyed listening. I am fortunate to be familiar enough with Mike's theology so I could follow with relative ease. They spent too much time attacking Mike instead of refuting his theology. Thank you again, excellent video.

[@i-am2804]

Very well done, brother! 🫡

[@riatsila144]

Really appreciate what you've done here. I think you did the good doctor proud.

[@EulersIdentityCrisis]

Thanks. Part 2 will be coming soon 🫠

[@riatsila144]

@@EulersIdentityCrisis looking forward to it!

[@robertwojcik4147]

Good job explaining the truth of what Heiser taught, I myself will never to be able to unsee what I learned about Psalm 82 & Deut 32. These people are too careless & flippant with their judgements.

[@mario.migneault]

i really hope zhese guys are not in high level ministry but only kids ministry.

[@richbaker6212]

Thank you for doing that. It’s nice that I don’t have to sit through the whole thing myself. Is there somewhere with info on how to email you directly?

[@EulersIdentityCrisis]

It's a painful watch. My email is my same username here at gmail. Or you can check my linked FaceBook or Instagram.

[@lolersauresrex8837]

Came here from the last church split video.. I can’t believe all of this is happening after his passing. It’s disgusting.

[@andrewwallen888]

Thank you for all your work defending Dr Heiser! His ministry is a blessing to all of us who want to take the Bible seriously with it’s own context! God bless! 🙏🏼

[@JohnsLearningScripture]

Where there is a dead body vultures will gather... Thank you for doing this video. Shalom

[@mikkirefur]

i had a wonderful dream with michael heiser. we were on a plane and it landed into a mall, and it was ending in a memorial service for Michael Heiser. on the way i was in a room where my life was played back using rooms full of keyboards where the keyboards where like periods of my life. at the end i was in the service with Michael, and I thought to myself - wait if this is his memorial service and i am with him and can see him, then that must mean ....

[@daughterofthelord01]

I think a lot of these folks coming out of the woodwork are attacking Heiser because he's a threat to their narrative. I also find it highly convenient at the timing of these attacks. They were too cowardly to address this when he was alive and if they had legitimate ground to stand on they would have given him the opportunity to engage in a constructive debate.

[@johnandrews1162]

Theosis - a really important orthodox Christian idea. James R Payton’s book, Light from The Christian East really helpful here.

[@galewollenberg786]

We all have our feet of clay. People in general just don't realize that when you come to a bone, just pick it out, throw it away and eat the meat. It is impolite to slander or speak ill of someone who is passed away and can't defend himself.

[@amyk6403]

I am just finding out about this controversy. I am appalled!These people should be ashamed. Clearly, they want us "to be afraid our Bibles." Clearly, they are threatened by the education of the masses. Some part of their control-freaky doctrines must be at stake if (read:because) Heiser is correct.

[@EulersIdentityCrisis]

Their follow up videos are even worse. I'll respond to them soon.

[@bigd5773]

56:42 I haven't listened to enough of Hieser to know everything he believed, definitely not enough to think i should make a video critiquing his orthodoxy. But even i know Hieser repeatedly made the differenciation between "angel" being a term describing function while "Elohim" is a term describing location. Yet somehow this guy can't even grasp that single simple idea because he sees angels through a medieval/Renaissance lens. Simply put "Elohim" is like saying "British". The people who live in Britain are British. Sometimes there are British diplomats that go to other countries to give messages. There is only ONE king, but he could also come as a diplomat. Getting all bent out of shape because sometimes someone calls a king "British" AND someone who is not the king "British", or calling some British people diplomats while not calling other british people diplomats, or whatever, shows a fundamental lack of understanding of how the words are used.

[@pamphilus3652]

Great stream thanks man

[@user-wl8wl8lp9r]

Jealously knows no bounds.

[@davestover2871]

🔥PROFESSINGCHRISTIANS🔥 I WON'T BE AS NICE AS Y'ALL: I'LL KEEP IT BIBLICAL, STARTING WITH 2 Timothy 3:16, "ALL SCRIPTURE" Deuteronomy 7:16 "CONSUME THEM" WITH "NO PITY" !!! Deuteronomy 7:2 "SMITE THEM" & "UTTERLY DESTROY THEM" !!! Ezekiel 7:8-9 , Ezekiel 25:17 "FURIOUS ANGER" & "MY VENGEANCE" IS UPON THEM SAY'S YHWH !!! 2 Timothy 3:13 "EVIL MEN & SEDUCERS" ! THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE !😮 2 Timothy 4:3-4 "THERE OWN LUSTS" ! THEY FAIL IN Acts 17:11 "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES" BECAUSE THEY DONT KNOW YESHUA, Hebrews 11:6, AS Ko'rah "FELT" IN Numbers 16:29-32 ! & AS Na'dab & A-bi'hu IN Leviticus 10:1-2 FOUND OUT ! THESE MEN DON'T KNOW THE SCRIPTURES & DON'T KNOW IN Hebrews 12:29 YHWH IS A "CONSUMING FIRE" !!! IN Luke 12:5 YESHUA "TELLS" THESE GNOSTIC SECULARISTS WHO THEY WILL "FEAR" & CONFIRMED THIS IN Revelation 2:11, 20:6, 20:14, 21:8 THIS IS THE "SECOND DEATH" & THESE BLOVIATERS WILL FEEL THE VENGEANCE & WRATH OF YHWH ON "THAT DAY" !!! REMEMBER Revelation 18:4-5 DON'T ENTERTAIN THESE HERETICAL BLASPHEMOUS APOPLECTIC RANTS FROM THE PHAR'I-SEES OF MODERNITY !!! WHEN YHWH LAYS HIS VENGEANCE UPON THEM, THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL BE VINDICATED !!! Psalms 37:6 & 72:4 & 35:24 & 103:6 & VENGEANCE UPON THE WICKED: 2 Thessalonians 1:6, Ezekiel 25:17, Deuteronomy 32:35, 41, 43 Psalm 58:10, Proverbs 6:34, Isaiah 35:4, Jeremiah 20:12, 11:20, 21:10, 46:10 Micah 5:15 Nahum 1:2 Luke 21: 22, 2 Thessalonians 1:8 ect... THE "BELIEVERS" OF YESHUA WILL REACH PARADISE, THE "NON-BELIEVERS" WILL BURN IN TORMENTING FLAMES OF FIRE & BRIMSTONE FOREVER !!! I COULD CONTINUE BUT THEY'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND YESHUA'S WORD, AS STATED IN 1 Corinthians 2:14 ...... "ALL THIS" COMES FROM THE SCRIPTURES !!! & THE HOLY SPIRIT GAVE US "ALL" DR. MICHAEL HIESER PHD. & THE HOLY SPIRIT GIFTED DR. HEISER WITH A BLESSING STRAIGHT FROM THE "UNSEEN REALM" TO TEACH US, JUST LIKE Peter, John, Luke, Appolus, Paul, Timothy ect... ONLY THE FOOLISHNESS OF "MEN" FOLLOWING THE El'ohim OF Genisis 11 KEEP "MEN" IN DARKNESS.... DR.MICHAEL HIESER PLANTED, KZbin WATERED, BUT YESHUA GAVE THE INCREASE 1 Corinthians 3:6 IF IT WASN'T FOR DR MICHAEL HEISER, MANY WOULDN'T HAVE LEARNED THE TRUTH, & WOULD STILL BE LISTENING TO THESE GNOSTIC'S !!! FOR "BELIEVERS" KZbinRS !!! TRY EULERS IDENTITY CRISIS AND NAKED BIBLE PODCAST EPISODES & HOUSEFORM APOLOGETICS... JUST TO START, BUT Acts 17:11 "SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES DAILY" 🙏

[@porphyrio1]

These critics need to repent of slander. Those of us who have followed and read Mike's books can see through all these misrepresentations. Anyway thanks for responding to them, maybe they can see your video and apologise.

[@rlee1185]

You picked a great clip to intro with. I'm already annoyed and it's only been 30 seconds😂. Seriously though the comment about you will die like men is predicated on God sitting in the council of the gods. The setup for the idea is in the beginning of the passage, which consequently makes the contrast makes sense.

[@SamGarcia]

"The context is the one that produce it" Technically, the God Who produces scripture and the human prophet living in a sinful culture who produces scriptures are two different contexts. Heiser seems to put much more faith in the latter, that the prophet's sinful culture will tell us what God really means, which is actually a big assumption.

[@MichaelcDownum]

It seems as if these people that want to attack Dr. Heiser this way have neither listened to nor read anything he produced. If they had more nuance would be added Side note: I'm a ThD student and I don't agree with everything Dr. Heiser said or wrote. But I try to nuance my references to his works when I cite him in my writing and speaking. This is the nature of scholarship, to which Dr. Heiser must be held, rightly so, as one of the best.

[@brendag8418]

There is no one who is as brilliant as Dr. Heiser was. These dissenters know this.

[@whatarefriends4]

Heiser was a scholar and held peer reviewed literature in high regard. I think he had to tread carefully to avoided being branded a heretic by his colleagues. Being kicked out of the club is not an option

[@louisetippets7855]

Are these people who are discrediting him his peers, I mean actual Bible Scholars?

[@WadeMach1977]

I suppose I see this as an attempt at cancel culture. I doubt it will work due to Heiser being so solid in his bible. Lots of the people trying to cancel him seem to be more interested in bringing him down in order to build themselves up.

[@clydegrace633]

Gotta love how these clowns think reading a lexicon entry equates to understanding the language. They have played themselves.

[@Outrider74]

I find it very odd that so many people are defending Dr. Heiser so rabidly, as if he is somehow infallible. I agree that there are videos critiquing him that have not been very good, but the man does have some seriously problematic ideas. Dr. Jordan Cooper and Gary Gilley have both reviewed the unseen realm very thoroughly, and their critiques are quite spot on.

[@EulersIdentityCrisis]

People are "rabidly" pushing back against outright lies and charges of heresy on an orthodox man who is no longer with us. I find it very odd you don't have a problem with that. I don't know who Gilley is but Cooper's video critique was a flaming dumpster fire.

[@Outrider74]

@@EulersIdentityCrisis See, you're proving my point with your response. Michael Heiser does not have an innate right to not be criticized. You may object to the way in which some of his critics have initiated their responses to his points (and some of those have been perfectly valid, such as Doreen Virtue's poorly constructed video), but you and other Heiserites come across as implying that nobody has a right to address his theological points at all. And that he is dead is irrelevant; a great many theologians who are now deceased have been criticized, and by your logic nobody should address anything by Aquinas, Augustine, Calvin, Luther, Wesley, etc., simply on the basis of their death. Let me give you an example of this from Heiser's own words. In Doreen Virtue's video about Heiser (again, I concede that the video was not well done overall), she and her guests accuse Heiser of polytheism. The Remnant Radio, in a response to this, put up a quote from Heiser in which he states that the "elohim" gods are not on the same level of power and ability as Yahweh. Here's the problem: Heiser's statement does not refute Virtue's (and others') accusations of polytheism. All Heiser's quote indicates is that he does not believe in EGALITARIAN polytheism; but it does not necessarily mean Heiser is not a polytheist. Other polytheistic systems teach about greater and lesser gods, created and uncreated, which Heiser's statement is not in conflict with. Heiser's polytheism may be hierarchical in power and authority, but it STILL comes across as polytheism. His defense gives the impression of a technical dodge at best; which is not surprising, since Heiser himself has admitted to not liking the use of theological labels (which rightly casts suspicion on his motivations, as it seems he is trying to dodge analysis with ideas like this). Furthermore, your response about Cooper suggests to me that either you did not watch the entirety of his two-part address about Heiser, or you simply refused to put aside your bias while listening to him. Dr. Cooper was very clear that he read The Unseen Realm, and based his points on Heiser's own statements. Cooper gave a very fair and scholarly summary and address of Heiser's points in The Unseen Realm, including what was good as well as what was bad. Even the hosts of The Remnant Radio--who are OVERWHELMINGLY in support of Heiser--agreed that Dr. Cooper raised some very relevant points. In other words: you did the very same thing to Dr. Cooper that you are accusing others of doing of Heiser. You may not agree with Dr. Cooper, but labeling it as a "dumpster fire" suggests ignorant dismissiveness based upon prejudice which even other supporters of Heiser have not stooped to regarding Dr. Cooper. If you're curious, Gary Gilley's written critique of Heiser and The Unseen Realm can be found on his website, "Think on These Things Ministries". For the record, Gilley quotes VOLUMINOUSLY from the unseen realm and lists dozens of citations of pages, so his criticism is not pulled from the blue. Also, GIlley did his review while Heiser was alive, just so you know. You may want to defend Heiser; fine. But to tell the truth, the way in which you and other Heiserites go about this comes across as smacking of behavior found in a cult.

[@EulersIdentityCrisis]

@@Outrider74 > "Michael Heiser does not have an innate right to not be criticized" >"And that he is dead is irrelevant" I've never said he can't be criticized. And his passing is deeply relevant to the Doreen issue because she had the ability to bring these things up to him while he was alive and didn't. You spend the next two paragraphs talking about polytheism as if that wasn't addressed throught; especially with a clip from Heiser in the beginning. He's not "dodging" from it. He just rightly realized it was an Enlightenment term. If you want to make the Enlightenment rationalism the barometer of orthodoxy be my guest but I will not be following you. >" your response about Cooper suggests to me that either you did not watch the entirety of his two-part address about Heiser, or you simply refused to put aside your bias while listening to him." So it's impossible to simply disagree with Cooper? >" you did the very same thing to Dr. Cooper that you are accusing others of doing of Heiser" What others are doing to Heiser is lying and strawmanning. Where did I lie about Cooper or strawman him? To be clear, by "others" I'm referring primarily to the guys in this video and specifically Doreen and Marcia. As for Gilley, I looked him up and he's in the Doreen video. If those were his best critiques, they really don't hit any of the issues. It's not lost on me you haven't actually made any push back to the actual video.

[@truthbebold4009]

​@@Outrider74I am so glad to see that people are finally critiquing Heiser. In all of the interviews of him I never once saw anyone push back on any of his beliefs. He was never challenged! They just lapped it up. He belittled beliefs that disagreed with his worldview as if his conclusions were the only option. The Holy Bible is God's word, it isn't the 2nd Temple Jews' word. I don't have an ancient Israelite living in my head. If Jesus didn't have anything to learn from them, then neither do I.

[@Outrider74]

@@EulersIdentityCrisis Alright, let's talk: 1.) You asserted that polytheism is an "Enlightenment" term. There are two problems with that assertion: First, just because a term may be novel in its inception and usage does not automatically mean the term is incorrect. The term "vomit" is essentially a word invented by Shakespeare for one becoming sick and releasing stomach contents out violently through the mouth and nose, yet nobody I know would say that "vomit" is an invalid term simply because it has an origin in Shakespearean plays. Second, that assertion simply is not true. The term "Polytheist" can be traced all the way back to Philo of Alexandria, referring to the Greco-Roman religion. It is not an "Enlightenment" invention, as Heiserites like to assert. Furthermore, I have yet to see anybody disprove Henning's assertion that Heiser has used "divine plurality" interchangeably with "Polytheism." Food for thought, my friend. (Incidentally, Heiser seems to have a problem with creeds and confessions as well, as his words in The Unseem Realm seem to imply. Wonder why that it, especially since our historic creeds and confessions simply reteach and restate that which Scripture plainly asserts and the historic church has verified). Second, you did not "simply disagree" with Dr. Cooper. You referred to his videos as a "dumpster fire." That denotes a dismissive (and truthfully, somewhat smug) attitude without any intent on examining facts. Again, Cooper (like Henning) has actually read The Unseen Realm. He deals with the text, and deals with it quite fairly. He's not overreactionary; he's simply dealing with what Heiser asserts. Thus his disagreements are not simply brownie points to score in a debate. Regarding Gilley, you need to actually read his article. My chief issue with Doreen's video is that she and her other guests do not always let Gilley (or Cooper, who was featured in a segment as well) speak fully. Gilley is fair with Heiser, and I don't even agree with all of his critiques of Heiser (for example, I DO agree with Heiser on his point of "replacement theology," although I don't like that term), but Gilley is also pretty thorough in his article, quoting Heiser many times and citing his points accurately on dozens of page citations. Actually, I'm watching the source video on CRoadWarrior before "pushing back" on what you've done. I think it only fair to see what these two gentlemen have to say and how well-researched it is before considering your rebuttal, as that is fair to both them and you. And I probably plan to look at more of Heiser as well, although I have to say that the assertions made so far by Henning have solid substance.

[@Seomus]

Who is this other guy with Henning? Christian Road Warrior? Is it his hype man?

[@EulersIdentityCrisis]

Pretty much. lol

[@keepclimbing15]

Yeah seems like he just needed a yes man to complain to.

[@roboutegiiliman-prime9074]

Thank you for setting the record straight in HEISER's place 👍

[@tubemaven1983]

Your critiques were too mild. This guy has no idea about the scholarship of the Bible and he wrote a 350 page book just attacking Heiser. For example, when he says liberal scholars believe Judaism evolved from. . . He is engaging with 100 year old history of religions scholarship that the liberal scholars no longer follow.

[@runee60]

I pay no attention to anyone who criticizes dr heiser. When you achieve his level of knowledge and the nuances of scripture you can open your mouth. Besides he has made quite clear that this info is known to bible scholars he just put it in a book format so lay people understand.

[@whatarefriends4]

Heiser says Yahweh is the most high and that is fundamentally wrong. All the evil done in the OT was the hand of Yahweh not God the Father who is Most High

[@EulersIdentityCrisis]

lol no

[@rustievian8634]

Ok. Why was he so insistent in calling God by the Latinization of YHWH and Adonai that were transliterated? I have the believing loyalty in the one True God Of Israel, and believe that he made/created his sons of God/little "g" gods. If that puts me in his term polytheism, then ok. But my loyalty is to the Lord of lords, the King of kings, and His Holy Spirit.

[@stevelenores5637]

I wouldn't attack a person. However if a teaching is in error it is fair game even if the author is deceased. Otherwise Mormanism couldn't be debunked just because Joseph Smith died. Not the person, just the ideas and teachings if they are in error.

[@clairejohnson2254]

Why do Christians tear each other down on things that dont matter? So what if one preposition is in question? So what if it changes a meaning a little. 99% of the items Heiser is crtiticized on ARE NOT SALVATION ISSUES. Stop arguing over vanity items, geneologies and come together on the only thing that matters; The Gospel Message. Heiser is absolutely clear on Salvation through faith, and blood atonement through Jesus Christ as the risen Son who is one woth God. Anyone who knit picks outside of that is the one who needs to check themselves. Grow up baby believers. Our faith walks all vary in timing so pull that log out of your eye.

[@landonfunk6970]

When you get to Heaven you can ask him for yourselves.

[@landonfunk6970]

There playing in the sand box, Hieser does not play there.

[@landonfunk6970]

Net picking, listen to the context of how he uses the words , Period.