Brief update on my health: Well, this week wasn’t the news producer we thought it would be. I met with the surgeon today and was encouraged by his approach to people in my situation (short version: he’s not looking for reasons to back out of a surgery; he’s aggressive and informed). That’s the good news, as somehow the oncologist’s office dropped the ball with getting the surgeon the images of the latest CAT scan. I’m again shocked by the bureaucratic circus that is the healthcare system. Eyes wide open now, though. The surgeon seemed to think the likelihood of surgery any time soon was low an ..read more

Don’t take this list the wrong way. Yes, I’m in chemotherapy for cancer, but this isn’t some sort of “last words” post! It just poppoed into my head today that I ought to make such a list for readers / followers like I did years ago on “Heiser’s Laws for Bible Study” (cf. this link as well). Consequently, this is a doodle just for fun, but serious, too. In no particular order … with explanation where needed … Things I’ve Learned 1. Most people have never escaped high school. There is great explanatory power in this observation in regard to why people, aged well beyond the teen years, live the ..read more

Most readers will know that I am currently in chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer. The goal of the therapy is to shrink a mass so that it can be surgically removed. This past week was my second chemo cycle. I offer the following for your consideration as you pray for me through this process. The chemo cycle/pattern appears to be five days of misery (Wed through Sunday for me) followed by nine days wherein I feel much better and am functional. Then the cycle repeats. Anyone who has undergone chemo, or who has watched someone go through chemo, will understand this description. Without the nuts an ..read more

I just saw that my old published journal article on this subject is no longer accessible online (it appeared in a peer-reviewed e-journal back in the day). Here is the citation, along with the PDF. Heiser, Michael. “Did Jesus Allow for Reincarnation? Assessing the syntax of John 9: 3-4.” Scandinavian Evangelical E-Journal 1 (2010): 1-14. A *very* abbreviated (and non-academic) treatment of this passage also appeared in my short book of collected articles from Bible Study Magazine: I Dare You Not to Bore Me with The Bible.   The post Did Jesus Endorse the Idea of Reincarnation? appear ..read more

Those of you who have read my books (especially, The Unseen Realm) or heard me on interviews will enjoy this — it’s about what happens when people who don’t read my books talk about what I believe. I usually don’t respond to this sort of nonsense, because the people who produce it might benefit in web traffic. But this one is so inept that I couldn’t resist. Someone sent me this ode to poor reading today: “Michael Heiser’s Gnostic Heresy, Part 1” (I can only anticipate Part 2 being as inept as Part 1). I know what some of you are already thinking …. Wait, doesn’t Mike have a couple of lec ..read more

I was recently informed by my friend Dr. Seth Postell, who teaches in Israel, about an upcoming Zoom Open House to be conducted by Bar Ilan University in regard to studying at Bar Ilan. Details are below. Bar Ilan is specifically encouraging evangelical Christians to participate and study at the university. Bar Ilan has degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels (BA, MA, PhD). Seth is the academic dean at One For Israel’s Bible College, Israel College of the Bible. He has taken course work at Bar Ilan, and recommends it as a great place for Christians serious about learning ..read more

I was recently interviewed by Kerby Anderson on Point of View. I was glad to be Kerby’s guest, as it reminded me of the good material he’s produced via Probe Ministries. I used a lot of that material when I taught ethics back in the day. The post Talking Demons on Point of View with Kerby Anderson appeared first on Dr. Michael Heiser ..read more

This was fun – Messianic rabbi Eric Walker walk through Lexham Press’s Demons quiz (it markets my book). We both missed a few! Find out why: The post Eric Walker and Mike Heiser Take Lexham Press’s Demons Quiz appeared first on Dr. Michael Heiser ..read more

I’m quite happy to announce a very special opportunity for all Awakening School of Theology and Ministry (ASOTM) student. ASOTM is my new school in Jacksonville, FL. ASOTM is not accredited. We offer a two year certificate program: first year = 30 weeks going through Unseen Realm content; second year = topics in biblical theology and postmodern apologetics. Follow the link to apply if you are a new student. What’s the new opportunity? Believe it or not, if you are a high school graduate, you can use your certificate at ASOTM as progress toward a fully accredited M.A. in Theological Studies — e ..read more

The second module for language courses at my MEMRA website is now open for registration. The next module opening will be in November-December. Registration for this second 2020 module will remain open until July 4, 2020. After registration closes those who are registered will receive instructions by email for accessing the courses, which begin on July 13, 2020. Courses Offered Beginning Biblical Hebrew Beginning Biblical Greek Beginning Biblical Aramaic The courses cover an entire first year introduction to the languages. They are traditional courses, not tools-based courses (i.e., thes ..read more