In this episode of the Divine Council Worldview Podcast, Mel and Rich sit down with Jeff Lees to explore his remarkable journey from skepticism to a vibrant faith shaped by ministry, creativity, and the teachings of Dr. Michael Heiser. Jeff opens up about his time in youth ministry, his transition into art and toy design, and how these paths intersect through a deep passion for community and storytelling. Together, they challenge traditional interpretations of scripture, discuss the meaning of being image bearers of God, and highlight the transformative power of Christian creativity—including a bold vision for toys that bring biblical narratives to life. This conversation invites listeners into a thoughtful and open dialogue about faith, identity, and innovation.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike explore the significance of Jesus’ first recorded miracle, his turning of water into wine at the wedding of Cana. They discuss the implications and nature of miracles in the context of faith to Yahweh, especially in context of John’s original audience which would have known that created divine beings could perform miraculous deeds as well. Their conversation touches on personal experiences of miracles, the unique aspects of John's Gospel, and the possible reasons behind Jesus' miracles.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss John 1:29-51, especially noting how Jesus would be the “lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (1:29). They begin by interpreting Old Testament “atonement” (Hebrew, kaphar) texts within their original context. They note how the practice of sacrifice across the ancient world was often accompanied by symbolic acts of “sanctification” as a person prepared to come into the presumed presence of a deity. This is what Jesus would do in his death, claimed John—he would cleanse not only the loyal Israelite, but anyone in the world who would put his faith in Jesus.

📢 Announcing the Image Conference! 📢  

The Michael S. Heiser Foundation proudly presents the Image Conference, an inspiring event dedicated to exploring the role of image in trauma recovery and community engagement. This first-ever Michael S. Heiser Foundation LIVE event celebrates the continuation of Dr. Heiser’s legacy, bringing together a powerful lineup of speakers and discussions designed to educate, inspire, and connect.  

Join Drenna Heiser-Hollander, Rich Baker, Dr. Ronn Johnson, Fern & Audrey, Pastor Darnell Williams, and others as we explore one of the Pillars of the Divine Council Worldview: The Image. Together, we’ll hear impactful stories of how image plays a vital role in healing, including how Rich Baker brought a message of hope to those experiencing trauma on the streets of Berkeley, California. For those seeking deeper theological insights, Dr. Ronn Johnson will present scholarly lectures such as The Image of God and Jesus’ Atonement.  

This is more than a conference—it’s an opportunity to learn, connect, and fellowship with like-minded brothers and sisters as we carry forward the work set before us.  

Register, FOR FREE, here:

https://michaelsheiserfoundation.org/the-image-conference/

In this episode, Ronn and Mike study John 1:19-28, noting how John the Baptist’s story was pivotal in understanding Jesus’ identity. They discuss how John’s prophetic ministry faced resistance from Jewish leadership, how John’s practice of baptism functioned as an act of allegiance in early Christianity, and how the concept of a “messiah” (even "the messiah”) evolved in both the Old and New Testaments. Their conversation emphasized the importance of understanding the cultural background of the first century for all aspects of biblical interpretation, especially as it relates to defining the role and identity of Jesus.

📢 Announcing the Image Conference! 📢  

The Michael S. Heiser Foundation proudly presents the Image Conference, an inspiring event dedicated to exploring the role of image in trauma recovery and community engagement. This first-ever Michael S. Heiser Foundation LIVE event celebrates the continuation of Dr. Heiser’s legacy, bringing together a powerful lineup of speakers and discussions designed to educate, inspire, and connect.  

Join Drenna Heiser-Hollander, Rich Baker, Dr. Ronn Johnson, Fern & Audrey, Pastor Darnell Williams, and others as we explore one of the Pillars of the Divine Council Worldview: The Image. Together, we’ll hear impactful stories of how image plays a vital role in healing, including how Rich Baker brought a message of hope to those experiencing trauma on the streets of Berkeley, California. For those seeking deeper theological insights, Dr. Ronn Johnson will present scholarly lectures such as The Image of God and Jesus’ Atonement.  

This is more than a conference—it’s an opportunity to learn, connect, and fellowship with like-minded brothers and sisters as we carry forward the work set before us.  

Register, FOR FREE, here:

https://michaelsheiserfoundation.org/the-image-conference/

In this episode, Ronn, Mike, Mel, and Rich come back together as a podcasting team to reflect on a year's worth of episodes, adjustments, and hopes for the DCW, Dr. Heiser's legacy, the work of the Michael S. Heiser Foundation, and the glimmers of change within society at large. They talk about their thoughts and feelings on having lost Dr. Heiser over two years, including the questions they still have and the shared common bond they have to each other because of their mutual mentor, friend, and brother in the faith.

📢 Announcing the Image Conference! 📢  

The Michael S. Heiser Foundation proudly presents the Image Conference, an inspiring event dedicated to exploring the role of image in trauma recovery and community engagement. This first-ever Michael S. Heiser Foundation LIVE event celebrates the continuation of Dr. Heiser’s legacy, bringing together a powerful lineup of speakers and discussions designed to educate, inspire, and connect.  

Join Drenna Heiser-Hollander, Rich Baker, Dr. Ronn Johnson, Fern & Audrey, Pastor Darnell Williams, and others as we explore one of the Pillars of the Divine Council Worldview: The Image. Together, we’ll hear impactful stories of how image plays a vital role in healing, including how Rich Baker brought a message of hope to those experiencing trauma on the streets of Berkeley, California. For those seeking deeper theological insights, Dr. Ronn Johnson will present scholarly lectures such as The Image of God and Jesus’ Atonement.  

This is more than a conference—it’s an opportunity to learn, connect, and fellowship with like-minded brothers and sisters as we carry forward the work set before us.  

Register, FOR FREE, here:

https://michaelsheiserfoundation.org/the-image-conference/

In this episode, Ronn and Mike explore John 1:2-18. They consider John’s explanation of Jesus’ pre-existence, his role as co-creator with the God, the active role of disciples “taking” Jesus in becoming “children of God” (1:12), and the description of Jesus as “the only begotten” of God (1:14, 18). They explore the invisibility of the God of Israel, the unique relationship between Jesus and his Father, and the broader implications of Jesus' deity and messiahship within the context of early Christian thought. In conclusion, they recommend that monogones theos reflects the original text in 1:18, finding John to explain Jesus as a “unique deity” who comes from the “chest” or lap of his Father. 

In this episode, Rich and Mel sit down with Pastor Jeremy Keys from Calgary, Alberta, to explore his incredible journey from a traumatic childhood and struggles with addiction to a life transformed by faith. Jeremy shares how his experiences shaped his understanding of the gospel and the importance of family and community in healing. The conversation delves into spiritual warfare and the unseen realm, emphasizing how these elements intersect with faith and personal transformation. They discuss the challenges of addressing addiction within a faith-based framework and the necessity of reclaiming spiritual spaces for healing and support. Jeremy also highlights the role of scripture in navigating spiritual battles and the need for believers to embrace the supernatural aspects of their faith. The episode closes with a powerful reflection on connecting with the next generation, fostering community collaboration, and deepening our understanding of the gospel’s transformative power.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike begin their study of the Gospel of John, focusing specifically on its opening verse. They explore the Greek concept of logos, the apparent distinction between logos and theos, and the concept of the pre-existence of Jesus. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the importance of understanding the relationship between Jesus and Yahweh, delving into the complexities of understanding the nature of Jesus, the concept of theos, and the implications of Trinitarianism. The discussion emphasizes the importance of context, narrative, and the evolving nature of language in theological discourse, recommending in the end that a DCW offers a unique perspective on the application of theos to the identity of Jesus.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike Chu discuss the meaning of the term “God” in the New Testament, especially noting the lexical movement between the words elohim and theos as Semitic and Greco-Roman languages developed over the centuries. The importance of this study will be reflected in the opening lines of John 1:1 and the identification of Jesus (“the Word with with God, and the Word was God”) as this podcast begins its study in the Gospel of John in following episodes. Using biblical and extra-biblical literature, this discussion comes to the conclusion that elohim and theos did not carry the same meaning between the testaments, and that the Greek theos cannot be equated to the English word “God.”

In this episode, Ronn and Mike explore the transition from the book of Genesis to the Gospel of John, the next subject of study for this podcast. They recommend that the Bible's authority lies primarily in the overarching story it tells, and that for this reason we must know the background and context of any biblical book before studying it. Their discussion presents a sweeping overview of the major events of biblical history and theological developments, including the calling of Abraham, the significance of loyalty, Israelite rituals of faith, and the model of leadership exemplified by David. It concludes by showing how the consequences of idolatry, the experience of exile, the promise of a new covenant, and the political landscape of Jewish independence gives way to John the Baptist and the story of John’s gospel.