The Divine Council Worldview Podcast

Mel, Rich, and Ronn unpack their experience at the Divine Council Worldview Conference, highlighting meaningful connections, diverse perspectives, and Spirit-led conversations. They dive into deep topics like the authority of Scripture, the role of the church fathers, and the centrality of atonement within the Divine Council framework. This episode is a reflection on unity, truth, and the shared m...

In this episode, Ronn and Mike explore the story of the woman of Samaria in John chapter 4. They discuss the theological implications of faith and loyalty, responding to critiques of Matthew Bates' work on salvation. The conversation also describes the historical context of the relationship between Jews and Samaritans, highlighting the long-standing conflict and its roots in biblical history. They...

In this episode, Ronn and Mike explore the various themes present in John 3:22-36: righteousness, sin, Jesus' atonement, the significance of baptism, and the acceptance of Gentiles into the family of Abraham. Ronn particularly introduces his understanding of the Holy Spirit's "sanctification" of Gentile communities in the upcoming Book of Acts, recommending that this idea will satisfy so many of t...

In this episode, Ronn & Mike explore Nicodemus' interview with Jesus as recorded in John 3:1-21. They discuss the possiblew misconceptions surrounding the Mosaic law, the Jewish expectations of what a messiah would accomplish, the nature of Jesus' teachings, and the meaning behind the term 'born again.' The conversation highlights the historical context of the Pharisees and their relationship with...

Recorded live at the DCW Conference in Indianapolis, Mel sits down with Jason Bostow, host of the Ring Them Bells podcast, for a powerful conversation on the legacy of Dr. Michael Heiser. They explore Heiser's impact on biblical scholarship, the need for interdisciplinary boldness, and the personal stories inspiring Jason's upcoming documentary.

In this episode, Ronn & Mike welcome Dr. Matthew Bates back to the podcast to discuss his recently released book, Beyond the Salvation Wars. They discuss what the NT Greek word family of pistis indicates for how all peoples are to respond to the Gospel of King Jesus. They dive into the rifts between Protestants and Catholics, and the tensions amongst various different Protestant denominations and...

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss the final three verses of John 2. This short passage allows their conversation to develop at length the concepts of "belief" and "faith" in both the Old Testament (Hebrew, aman) and the New Testament (Greek, pisteou). The study details the implications of Jesus' understanding of belief and loyalty when it comes to his expectation of "following" him into etern...

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss Jesus' cleansing of the Temple in John 2:13-22. They use this opportunity to then talk through the complexities of the Old Testament law, its interpretation within evangelicalism, and the historical context of the temple's significance. Their discussion highlights how Jesus' fulfillment of the law is often misunderstood and emphasizes the importance of cultur...

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 story...

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...

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 prep...

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 Testa...

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...

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 Fa...

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 re...

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...

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...

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 maj...

In this episode, Ronn and Mike study the concluding chapters of Genesis. They begin by briefly overviewing the concept of biblical inspiration, anticipating that the poem of chapter 49 is likely the work of more than one person or even one era. They note Jacob's curious mention of an elohim/mal'ak (48:15-16) who was responsible for the protection of the patriarch for many years. At the conclusion...

In this episode, Ronn and Mike explore Joseph's announcement to his brothers, appreciating how this kind of story makes us consider God's involvement in human affairs. They recommend, in the end, that a Divine Council worldview plays an important and unique role in working through the complex question of God's sovereignty and human freewill. Their conversation moves through the complex narrative o...

In this episode, Ronn and Mike explore the significance of Joseph's actions which led to his release from Egyptian prison. Their conversation touches on the possible significance of the absence of Yahweh's name in the narrative, as well as themes such as deception, emotional burden, transformation, and character development. The discussion highlights the significance of Judah's leadership, emphasi...

In part 1 of this thought-provoking episode of the Divine Council Worldview Podcast, hosts Mel and Rich sit down with Dr. Michael Bennett, a trailblazer in technology, as well as provocative Christian podcasting. Together, they reflect on Bennett's journey from engineer to host of the acclaimed FutureQuake radio show, sharing his unique experiences at conferences and the transformative impact of D...

In this episode Ronn and Mike explore the story of Joseph's trials in prison, considering how his experience speaks to the universal experience of suffering. They discuss how Joseph's faith and character became evident in a situation which was not of his own doing. Their conversation also touches on the broader theological implications of suffering and God's presence in difficult times. They concl...

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss Genesis 37-39, the beginning of the Joseph narrative. They highlight the significance of Joseph's garment, the deception of the brothers which spanned two decades, and Judah's ironic transformation. The discussion also touches on the nature of sin, the essence of discipleship, and the character of Joseph as seen through Potiphar's eyes.      

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss the curious situation of Esau. It can be argued, with a fair amount of certainty, that Easu did not worship Yahweh but instead chose to become loyal to other gods. This will be the primary reason that, in the end, the prophets can say that Jacob is "loved" by Yahweh while Esau is "hated" by him (Malachi 1:2-3). Yahweh will still show authority over Esau (and...