I liked this book in a number of ways, but the three complaints below are serious enough to pull this book down from a five- or four-star to a two-star rating for me.
1. Some Things Unique, Some Things Not
The book deals with many interesting and thought-provoking themes, but nothing really all that original. Heiser, in so many words, would agree. He has said multiple times something along these lines: “Scholars have been saying these things for years. I’m not trying to be original.” Fair enough. However…
Many of the themes Heiser deals with are dealt with in the writings of evangelical scholars such as John Walton, TD Alexander, and GK Beale (only to name a few; there are many more). And if you’re familiar with OT studies, you already know that much of what Heiser says (Garden of Eden, Mountain of God, Temple, etc.) is nothing even remotely original. I point this out because, even though Heiser references the aforementioned scholars, for much of the book he talks as if evangelical scholars don’t deal with these matters and have not contributed to the relevant areas of study. This leads to the next issue I take with Heiser’s book:
2. Heiser’s Tone
I hate, hate, hate the tone of this book. When I read books, I hear the author’s voice in my head. There were a number of times that Bart Ehrman’s voice just popped into my head, uninvited, because Heiser sounds that much like him. He really, really does. Ehrman is an agnostic scholar bitter about his fundamentalist upbringing. Heiser sounds like an evangelical scholar bitter about a childhood Sunday School teacher. You may be edified by the theological truths that Heiser expounds, but you will not be edified by Heiser’s way of speaking on these issues. If ever I decide to use one of his books for a class, I will direct my students to “listen to what he says, but do not do what he does.”
The condescending way Heiser portrays evangelicals and/or anyone who takes a different view is so unnecessary (and nauseating). (No one is on Heiser’s level. No one has done as much research as he has done. Heiser is in a class of his own.) Anyone who lauds Heiser’s writings and really believes this (and there are many out there) has probably not done much reading in the deeper end of the pool. I had to put the book down multiple times because of the cavalier and mocking way he dismisses differing viewpoints. And this is not a rare phenomenon that comes out here and there; it is part of the fabric of the book through and through. So many times I thought to myself, “Can you please just explain your point? We’ve got it. No one in the evangelical world knows what you know or has studied what you have studied.”
Examples? Get a Kindle sample, and read the first 10% of the book with accompanying footnotes.
3. Historical Theology
Heiser has a low view of historical theology, and it really shows because he clearly has not studied it in much depth. For instance, anyone who is familiar with the different views regarding foreknowledge and predestination will be hard-pressed to identify exactly what view Heiser is criticizing in his book. It sounds like the naïve caricatures of Calvinism one finds online among freshmen in Bible college, but surely this can’t be coming from a Bible scholar who has such high standards for academic research, right? If something just sounds too stupid that anyone would actually believe it, it probably is. You are probably dealing with a caricature. Heiser's portrayal (of what one can only assume is Calvinism) is neither fair nor responsible scholarship. If you want to understand Reformed Theology, read Geerhardus Vos or BB Warfield or Herman Bavinck.
I do appreciate Heiser’s attention to where it should primarily be (the ANE), but he really could benefit from studying historical theology, especially if he is going to attack what he (UNDENIABLY) does not understand.
I would recommend reading TD Alexander, GK Beale, Daniel Block, Bruce Waltke, John Walton, and other scholars like them in addition to or instead of Heiser.
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From the Publisher
ABOUT DR. MICHAEL S. HEISER
Michael Heiser is an expert in the weird and wonderful world of the Bible. His popular Naked Bible Podcast passed five million downloads in 2019. Heiser is the author of several best-selling books, including The Unseen Realm, Demons, and Angels.
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Winner of the ECPA Bronze Sales Award for over 175,000 copies sold! |
Readable, but grounded in top-notch scholarship. |
Challenge what you thought you knew about the supernatural world of the Bible. |
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| Demons | The Unseen Realm Q&A Companion | Supernatural | Angels | The Bible Unfiltered | |
| What the Bible Really Says About the Powers of Darkness | A Question & Answer Companion | What the Bible Teaches About the Unseen World—and Why it Matters | What the Bible Really Says About God’s Heavenly Host | Approaching Scripture on Its Own Terms | |
| 320 pages | 160 pages | 224 pages | 248 pages | 192 pages | |
| Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook | Paperback | Paperback, Kindle, Audiobook | Hardcover, Kindle, Audiobook | Hardcover, Kindle |
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Customer reviews
The "Unseen Realm" provides study, research and context for understanding the Bible
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2019
"The Unseen Realm" by Michael Heiser is one of only a few books I can say have revolutionized my Bible study and theological perspectives gained from scripture. Through examinations of the ancient near eastern worldviews and texts, Hebrew language analysis and careful unfolding of Yahweh's divine council and throne room texts sprinkled throughout the Hebrew Bible and Christian scriptures, Heiser gives immense insight into the spiritual realms and God's ultimate intent to redeem, reconcile and renew all things in Jesus the messiah. If you are a student of the Bible and you are looking for an excellent work in Biblical Theology, don't pass this book up. You may not agree with all Dr. Heiser's conclusions, but the bulk of the work is indispensable to a contemporary Bible and Biblical theology student. It belongs in every University Religious Studies program, every Seminary and in every christian pastor's library. Warning: you may find some of the volumes in your library outdated after reading this research. Just saying...
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2019
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The world of the Spirit is more real than the world of the natural -
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My only problem is me. My only solution is Christ in me. (Galatians 2:20-21)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 4, 2018Farlsborough
An excellent and easy to read summation of the "divine council" worldview.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 2, 2017JessP
Thought provoking but too agenda driven
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 14, 2020
