The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible by Michael S. Heiser
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Challenging
This book is hard to rate. Primarily because some of the ideas presented challenges to my long held beliefs. This is a well researched and documented book, and Heiser is an expert on Hebrew language and culture.
I should also say that while many of my long held beliefs were challenged, in no way do I doubt Heisers faith or orthodoxy. Many of the beliefs I had challenged revolve around the spiritual realm, its inhabitants and hierarchy.
This is a good study for delving deeper into understanding the spiritual realm, which is something we all should do. We can not afford to pretend it does not exist. We also cannot rely on what we see on network TV, video games or greeting cards.
Heiser does make a strong case for the reality of the spiritual world. He also makes compelling arguments to rethink how we read the Bible. The epilogue goes a long way to remind us that we cannot read and understand the Bible without putting ourselves into the culture, mindset, language and understanding of the original people.
Read this book and be ready to have some long held ideas challenged. It is a good book, well researched and thorough. For me at times it was hard to follow but that may also say more about me the reader than Heiser the author
Thinking About Theology 