The Unseen Realm - Review by Gary Gilley

You can read my clumsy review of Michael Heiser's book The Unseen Realm HERE. I've read other critiques by people I respect but am disappointed at their general approval. Some have noted a few problems here and there, yet suggest we chew the meat and spit out the bones. No thanks. Other fans of Heiser claim orthodox folk are frightened of his Divine Council ideas. Not me. Though I remain unconvinced, my real problems with it lie elsewhere. See my review.

Gary Gilley's indepth critique of The Unseen Realm highlights some of these issues. In fact he connected some dots for me regarding Heiser's view of Gen 3:15; 22:14 etc. And more...  

Michael Heiser’s view of Scripture and the supernatural realm has generated much attention within evangelical circles recently. His concepts have generated a wave of speculation that some are now riding. What does he teach and how concerned should the discerning Christian be? This critique will provide some answers...keep reading Gilley's review

40 Questions About Biblical Theology - Review by Dr. Reluctant

 Paul Henebury (Dr. Reluctant) reviews the book "40 Questions about Biblical Theology." I like the way he begins:

How does one review a well-written and well researched book on Biblical Studies that one disagrees with almost entirely? That is the position I find myself in with this book...keep reading

Revisiting "That Hideous Strength"

If you want to catch a glimpse of how evil can capture and shape the human heart, go read C. S. Lewis' book "That Hideous Strength." It is the last installment of what is commonly referred to as "Lewis' Space Trilogy." Doug Wilson calls it "The Ransom Trilogy." Since THS takes place on earth and each of the three books (albeit less so the last) figure Elwin Ransom as a main protagonist, I agree with Wilson.

I've always enjoyed the first two books of the trilogy: "Out of the Silent Planet" and "Perelandra", even though Lewis can be difficult to read and follow in areas. This is partly because he includes materials which some nonacademic readers (like me) may not be familiar with. 

My first attempt at reading an abridged version of THS was a failure. I tried, skimmed it and went to the back of the book to read the ending. I returned to it after I'd matured somewhat. On the second attempt I enjoyed it enough that I bought an unabridged copy. Since then my interest in it has grown. THS gives us stark examples of what can happen to people when they abandon God and give themselves over to evil. 

The organization "The National Institute for Co-ordinated Experiments" has been taken over by the demonic. It is not above bullying, lying, social and personal manipulations, and murder. The NICE seeks to destroy society and re-shape it to conform to its "own" values. Its values are, in fact, shaped by the devil.

My two most memorably evil characters are the Deputy Director John Wither and the "Police-woman" Fairy Hardcastle. But there are many other examples.  As I look around me, I see Withers and Hardcastles everywhere. The NICE is with us today. It is everywhere. 

Some links:

That Hideous Strength - Today

Wilson on That Hideous Strength

Other lectures by Wilson on Lewis' works

The Devils in Our World

Deeper Heaven: A Readers Guide to C. S. Lewis's Ransom Trilogy

The Gods of Civil Unrest... Doug Wilson

Wilson's article is a long one. One might be tempted to skip it. But he makes some important points worth considering.

I suppose I need to say, right at the outset, that this blog post is something of a beast. You might say it is a little hefty. But this happened for reasons that I think you may eventually come to appreciate. I wanted to give you some words of wisdom and encouragement, such as I have, words that you might need to return to over the next couple of years. There’s no telling when our overlord Big Techies are going to turn me off, and so I wanted to say my bit first....keep reading

Social Justice vs. Authentic Biblical Justice

 Phil Johnson...

Requiem for the Living

And now for something different. Could this somehow grant us a shadow-glimpse of worship in Heaven?