The Divine Council Worldview Podcast

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss Genesis 27 and Isaac’s mistaken blessing of Jacob over Esau. They begin by noting the cultural significance of a father blessing a favored son, and discuss possible reasons for Isaac’s decision to bless Esau over Jacob. They then walk through the narrative itself, especially taking note of how Jacob’s decision to say “your elohim” to his father fit the theology of his non-Yahwist brother. It is interesting that the Quran does not record this incident between the brothers at all. The conversation concludes with a discussion on Jacob's journey of faith and his tenuous path to Yahweh worship.

In this episode, Rich and Mel interview Dr. Natalie Atwell, a therapist and adjunct professor, reveals how she integrates the Divine Counsel worldview into her counseling practice. She passionately discusses her work in missions and caregiver ministry, highlighting the significance of understanding spiritual warfare and the supernatural when addressing trauma and mental health. The conversation explores cultural challenges in ministry, the impact of mysticism and superstition abroad, and the urgent need for the church to confront spiritual abuse and offer healing environments. Dr. Atwell also touches on loving others through disagreements, the rise of narcissism in the church, and the vital support needed for missionaries. Through her book, I Can Do Anything in the Right Pair of Shoes, Dr. Atwell inspires listeners to put on the armor of God, foster godly relationships, and embark on a journey to discover their true identity in Christ.

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In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss Genesis 25 & 26. They open their conversation by mentioning the “two powers in heaven” idea that will be the subject of a future episode. They note that the genealogy of Ishmael plays a significant role in the Jew-Gentile divide throughout history. They also discuss the early relationship between Jacob and Esau, preparing to question which god these men worship according the biblical record. They conclude by exploring the themes of God’s involvement in human mistakes, the significance of name and their meanings in ancient culture, and the question of God’s knowledge of the future.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike consider Genesis 23 & 24, where Abraham puts his final affairs in order by finding a bride for Isaac. Throughout their discussion they explore the concept of the phrase “the god of” as applied to the stories of Isaac and Ishmael, the role of divine messengers during Eliezer’s search for Isaac’s bride, and the significance of Yahweh’s name and character for those who are committed to following him.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss the famous “Akeda” story in Genesis 22, where Abraham obeyed the command of God to sacrifice his son Isaac. They consider the theological questions raised by this story, such as why God would ask Abraham to commit murder—and why Abraham would obey. The conversation touches on the cultural context of child sacrifice and the evolving understanding of Yahweh’s character by those who are committed to worship him above every god. They also discuss the concept the possibility of divine “portals,” or specific locations where divine beings have made contact with humans. They conclude by wondering whether the substitution portrayed in the binding of Isaac is a symbol for Jesus’ death.

In this episode, Rich and Mel interview Fern and Audrey, who share their work helping survivors of trauma-based mind control, reflecting on their personal experiences and the impact of Dr. Mike Heiser's Divine Council worldview, especially through his books, *The Myth That is True*, *The Facade* and *The Portent*. They explore the complexities of dissociation, discussing how different parts of a person’s identity function and how to discern between dissociated personalities and demonic possession. Fern shares a powerful story about working with a survivor of satanic ritual abuse, highlighting the challenges of spiritual discernment. Throughout the conversation, they stress the importance of love, empathy, and understanding in the healing process, and the critical need for education and training to address spiritual abuse in churches.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss Genesis 20 and 21, examining the birth of Isaac and the relationship between Ishmael and Isaac. They work through the significance of Ishmael in the biblical narrative, as well as the meaning of the terms 'righteous' and 'election' in the OT. They agree that there is ambiguity surrounding the identity of the divine being in the story of Abraham and Ishmael, raising questions about loyalty and divine interaction.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss Genesis 19 and the destruction of Sodom. They explore how a divine council worldview arises directly from the cultural context of the ancient Near East when working through this narrative. They conclude their discussion by thinking through the significance of the Hebrew word 'chesed' and the tragic outcome for Lot and his daughters.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike explore Genesis 18's story of Abraham and Sarah being told by three messengers that they would soon bear a son to fulfill the promises of God. The biggest shock of the story, of course, will be to hear one of the visitors speak as though he is Yahweh! Ronn and Mike consider the possible options for identifying this messenger, leaning into the relationship ejoyned between messengers and senders as practiced in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The episode also considers what Abraham likely understood by his use of the important words righteous and wicked (18:25).

In this episode, Rich and Mel interview Pastor Anthony Delgado of Palmdale Church, California, who dives deep into the transformative power of Dr. Michael Heiser's Divine Council worldview and its impact on his predominantly Hispanic, working-class congregation. Anthony shares how his church has woven this theology into their structure, striking a unique balance between formality and community. From addressing real-life challenges like substance abuse to creating an inclusive environment for special needs families, Pastor Delgado discusses the importance of discipleship, allegiance to Christ, and expanding our understanding of the Gospel. A powerful conversation on faith, transformation, and the role of Jesus as Christus Victor.