The Divine Council Worldview Podcast Dr. Ronn Johnson

In this episode Ronn and Mike discuss the meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek in Genesis 14, even considering whether this kind of story supports the idea of divine portals or “heavenly gates” in the biblical narrative (Gen 12:8; 13:4; 28:11-12; 35:7). Most interesting to this story, of course, is their joint realization that they worshipped the same deity (el-elyon, ‘the high god’ cp. Pss 9:2; 7:17; 82:6; Isaiah 14:14; Luke 1:20, 32). This suggests that Yahweh (who had not revealed his name to either man at this point) was actively working behind the scenes in the lives of both individuals long before they met.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike recommend that Genesis 12 and 13—the story of Abraham beginning to worship Yahweh while rejecting his tribal gods of Babylon—sets the framing story for the Bible as a whole. These early narratives are not concerned with sin and forgiveness, in other words, nor even the expectation of a Messiah. They instead answer the question of which deity a person needs to worship in order to be blessed and to be a blessing to others. It is suggested that a Creation/Covenants/Crisis model of the Old Testament's big story should replace the Creation/Crisis/Covenant outline that we so often hear about. The stories of Genesis 12 & 13 tell of a normal man facing natural fears who yet covenants with the right god. The fact that Yahweh would have been understood as a minority (even unknown) deity at this point makes the plot all the more fascinating.

Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and equipped to make a difference in the world around you! In this episode, Mel delves into the transformative power of meaningful interactions and the importance of open minds and hearts when sharing Biblical insights. He emphasizes putting knowledge into action in making disciples, urging listeners to share their personal stories of divine guidance in everyday moments. Mel expounds on missionary work, highlighting that it’s not just about far-off lands, but also about nurturing relationships within our own families. Amidst the discussion, Mel navigates the poignant absence of his co-host Rich, who has been battling medical issues and will be back in future episodes, reminding us all of the power of prayer and support. Tune in to discover how you can be part of God’s grand plan and make a lasting impact right where you are!

In this episode, Ronn and Mike recommend that the principal problem of mankind as described up through Genesis 11—the worldwide worship of other gods—begins to meet its solution in Genesis 12 as a covenant is cut between Abram and Yahweh. The promise of this agreement, requiring faithfulness from both parties, included both individual prosperity for Abram and ultimate blessing for the entire world. In conclusion, it is recommended that the climax to this story is signaled through Abram’s “calling on the name of Yahweh” (12:8) as opposed to any of the deities he had worshipped in Babylon. The Bible's most famous convert now awaits a family and an eternal inheritance.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike consider the famous story of the Tower of Babel, recommending that the purpose of the Tower was the worship of (and desire to make covenant with) created deities. They note that this event, especially in light of what it signifies in the larger story of the Bible, stands behind the problem that the New Testament gospel will someday solve—the “healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:2) through the unified worship of Yahweh and his Son Jesus Christ.

In this episode, Ronn and Mike discuss Genesis 10’s genealogical record between Noah and Abraham. They begin by noting that the story of the curse of Canaan (Ham’s son) likely lays the foundation for Joshua’s later confrontation with pagan worhsip in land of Canaan. They then work their way through the lists of names and tribes in Genesis 10, observing the geographical locations settled by the sons of Noah. More importantly, they show how the text hints toward the loss of Yahweh-worship during this critical period of history. The episode ends at the foot of the Tower of Babel, predicting how this event will lead not only to the division of human language, but to the establishment of the worship of other gods through the known world.