Recently, The Bible Project started a series on spiritual beings. The third video in the series spoke of The Divine Council, a hypothesis that has been propagated, most notably, by Dr. Michael Heiser. In fact, Heiser was credited as a Script Consultant at the end of the video. It is my position that this theological perspective is not only incorrect, but also an affront to the splendor and glory of God.
Due to the popularity of The Bible Project, and the fact that this video has accumulated over 250,000 views in just a couple of weeks, it seems necessary to offer a biblical response. In this four part series, I will present the key texts involved, the four main interpretive views, the challenges to each view, and my conclusion.
Passages
in Question (KJV)
Psalm 82
1 God
standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
2 How
long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3 Defend
the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver
the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They
know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations
of the earth are out of course.
6 I
have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
7 But
ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
8 Arise,
O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
John 10
30 [Jesus
said] “I and my Father are one.”
31 Then
the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
32 Jesus
answered them, “Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of
those works do ye stone me?”
33 The
Jews answered him, saying, “For a good work we stone thee not; but for
blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.”
34 Jesus
answered them, “Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If
he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot
be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the
world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
37 If I do not the works of my
Father, believe me not.”
Initial Response
The passages in question easily trip up the Christian as he
seeks to understand their meaning. Does the Bible really teach that there was a
council of multiple deities in the pre-existence? Does Jesus intend to teach
that all men are children of God and can become deities themselves? To answer
these questions, the text must first be clarified so that the original intent
of the authors can be seen.
Original Language
1. Psalm
82:1 is translated into English in many different ways, but each translation
conveys the idea that God holds judgment among other rulers/judges.
2. Psalm
82:1 says, “Elohim…judges in the midst of Elohim.” The word Elohim can mean God
(as in Genesis 1:26, Deuteronomy 6:4, etc.); however, it also refers to other
spiritual beings (see point 3 below). Furthermore, the word for “mighty” in
this verse is El, which is the strictly singular word for “God” in Hebrew. Note
Young’s Literal Translation of the verse: “God hath stood in the company of
God, In the midst of God doth judge.”
3. In
the Hebrew Old Testament, Elohim is used to refer to a variety of subjects. The
word is used over 2,600 times and there is debate as to whether the word always refers to spiritual beings who exist
outside of the earthly realm. Yahweh, false gods, angels, demons, and even
humans who have died are called Elohim. However, it is entirely possible that Elohim
is used in reference to humans in Exodus 21:6, 22:8-9, and Deuteronomy 32:8.
4. The
New American Standard Bible (NASB) imposed its theological deduction on Psalm 82:1 when it rendered the verse, “He judges in the midst of the rulers,”
(emphasis added). The understanding of the translation committee was that the
gods referenced are earthly rulers/judges. (See the MacArthur/White view in part two.)
5. The
term, “children of the Most High” in Psalm 82:6 (akin to “sons of God” in other
parts of the Bible), is often used in reference to angels. C. Fred Dickason
wrote, “This term (sons of God) does not reflect the holy nature of
angels—because Satan, the evil one, is classed among them—but it does speak of
their might.”[1]
Context
1.
The context of Psalm 82 is relatively unknown,
other than that it was authored by Asaph.
2.
In John 10, the Pharisees labeled Jesus as a
mere man who was claiming deity, which they understood as blasphemy. In Jesus’
response, He offered an argument against their claim.
There are two ways to understand
His response.
a.
He is proving His deity by appealing to
Scripture that speaks of multiple deities. He quotes Psalm 82 in order to make
the argument, “Scripture speaks of divine plurality; therefore, it is
completely possible that I am divine.”
b.
He is softening their offense at His claim by
appealing to Scripture that uses the word
Elohim in reference to men. He
quotes Psalm 82 in order to make the argument, “Scripture speaks of human
leaders (fallen men) also called gods and children of God; therefore, I can
claim the title of god or son of God without blaspheming.”
Additionally, it is worth noting that the Septuagint translates Elohim as Theos, which is, of course, the word Jesus was using in John 10.
Most of this analysis to follow is focused on Psalm 82, as its context and interpretation will lead to answers to the questions about John 10.
You're missing the whole point; read Michael's book, Unseen Realm.
ReplyDeleteHave you read parts 2-4 of this series?
DeleteNowhere is the bible project suggesting that "Jesus intend to teach that all men ... can become deities themselves."
ReplyDeleteI don't understand where you are getting this idea?