The Divine Constellation: Theology in the Ancient World

In the ancient world, theology wasn't practiced in the same way we do today. One scholar suggests the divine was thought of like a constellation of stars, with each star representing an aspect of a god. This understanding of theology meant that one could only truly understand the divine by understanding each piece of the whole. In this video, we explore how this ancient understanding of the divine contrasts with our modern conceptions. And we'll explore if Yahweh had a divine constellation and what kind of constellation he had.
#constellation #divine #yahweh #archaeology #biblicalarchaeology #ancienthistory #mesopotamia
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If you'd like to read more here are just a few of the sources we used in this video:
Michael Hundley, Yahweh Among the Gods: The Divine in Genesis, Exodus, and the Ancient Near East. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2022.
Michael Hundley, "'Hear a god, There a god,' An Examination of the Divine in Ancient Mesopotamia," Altorientalische Forschungen 40 (2013) 1, 68-107.
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02:05 What is the Divine Constellation concept?
04:58 What makes a god a god?
10:34 A Case Study: Ishtar's Constellation
13:46 Yahweh's Divine Constellation: Anthropomorphic Core
18:30 Yahweh's Message/Messengers
19:58 Yahweh's Names and Epithets
21:07 Yahweh's Regional Manifestations
22:16 Fire and Storm Theophanies
23:50 Holiness
24:44 Physical Access Points: Flame the Whirling Sword, Moses Staff, and Bethel Pillar
29:17 Why this is helpful - practicing theology
32:16 Thanks for your support!

[@theophilov.a.s4997]

the plural semitic term: " 'Elohym " - gods , would been about constelations inference . I guess than yes .

[@FelixFortunaRex]

So is the divine constellation of god Orion. That’s the one being used. Orion is called the faithful shepherd. Also shepherd of Ann. Also walks on celestial sea. Next to the mountains of Gemini. With Argo boat behind. Prolly disciples boat. It’s all in constellation talk.

[@ArielRyanBautista1313]

In numbers 20 Moses does use the staff without yhvhs permission and accesses his power to make water come from the stone.

[@jasoncarrera8441]

How has Michael Heiser done this? For me he saved my faith.

[@pablomarques3684]

When will we have a video on the new testament?

[@BeneaththeBible]

Good question! We have a few New Testament videos planned starting in a couple of weeks.

[@EmarieDeDominick]

Right thanks for sharing

[@icypirate11]

Another great video pulling back the curtain of the origins of Christianity and the Abrahamic god. This topic is a double-edged sword to the believer. For me, after 30+ years believing in Jesus, this information, along with New Testament criticism, caused me to lose my faith. I am now an agnostic atheist. Other believers may watch this video and it strengthens their faith. Go figure. I like what Tyler Vela said when he de-converted, Michael Heiser and John Walton are the gateway drug out of Christianity. I don't know how you guys are able to know and share this information and hold onto faith at the same time. This type of information caused me to need more faith rather than strengthen it. I don't see how the Bible is "trustworthy" or "sufficient" for salvation anymore. I think that as long as Christian scholars compartmentalize their area of study, either Old or New Testament, they will hold to faith in the other Testament that they don't specialize in. When the layperson watches channels like these and reads Michael Heiser, John Walton, Thom Stark, Richard Friedman, Bart Ehrman, Dennis MacDonald, Francesca Stavrakopoulou, etc., it creates a fuller picture of what the Judeo-Christian religion is.

[@spacemanspiff9773]

I understand how you felt compelled to walk away from your faith. The American church (I speak in generality) has by large given believers a shallow faith by not engaging the text in its original context. Add the reformed tradition that paints God as the monster of determinism (again, I speak in generality). However, if reading Heiser and Walton steered you away from the faith, you haven’t read their books as closely as you should. There are connections to the ANE world since ancient Israel didn’t exist in a cultural vacuum. But they and this KZbin channel have shown the Bible shouldn’t scare us with references to the gods of Israel’s neighbors.