About this Episode

Explore the profound intersection of faith, spiritual governance, and political power with our guest Matt Mouzakis. Matt provides insights from his research, guiding us through a deep examination of Romans 13 using the "Deuteronomy 32 worldview." Together, we reflect on the early Christian perspective of state authority, highlighting the importance of prioritizing Christ over earthly powers.

We also delve into the role of spiritual beings like seraphim, cherubim, and angels, and how their actions influence human affairs. The discussion continues with a fresh understanding of God's nature—not as a strict authoritarian but as a collaborative partner in divine governance.

Key topics include forbidden knowledge, the significance of the three falls in Genesis, and the portrayal of Satan as more than a singular evil entity. We also unpack Psalm 82, which depicts a divine council and God’s judgment, offering a fresh perspective on justice.

As we turn to politics, Craig challenges reliance on human governance and argues for a return to Jesus' teachings. This leads to a thought-provoking discussion on how modern political systems clash with the early Christian conviction of having "No king but Christ." Join us as we explore these transformative ideas and reconsider the role of faith in the modern world.

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Episode Timestamps:

(4:21) Deuteronomy 32 Worldview and Its Historical Context

Exploration of the Deuteronomy 32 worldview, where God divides the nations and assigns spiritual beings (the "sons of God") to rule over them after Babel, while keeping Israel for Himself
Early church history’s view on state authority, with Christians understanding themselves as part of God's chosen people under Christ, often in tension with surrounding political powers
Presence of this worldview in Second Temple Judaism, particularly in apocryphal texts like the Book of Enoch, which elaborate on the roles of these spiritual rulers and their rebellion against God
References to scholars like Dr. Michael Heiser, who argues that understanding the Deuteronomy 32 worldview is key to interpreting the Bible's cosmic conflict between God and rebellious spiritual beings, as well as its implications for Christian views on governance and spiritual warfare

(8:04) Spiritual Beings and Their Roles

Breakdown of seraphim, cherubim, and angels' roles in the divine order
Seraphim as "burning ones" often associated with purity and worship
Cherubim as guardians of sacred spaces (e.g., Eden, the Ark of the Covenant)
Angels as messengers and intermediaries between God and humanity
How these spiritual beings operate in the unseen realm and influence earthly events, including biblical examples like Daniel's visions or Jacob's ladder

(11:10) Rethinking the Nature of God

Craig’s view of God as a collaborator, challenging the hierarchical, authoritarian view commonly held in Western theology
Personal experiences that shaped this perspective, including encounters with suffering and injustice that prompted a reexamination of God’s role
The idea of God working alongside humanity in a co-creative relationship, rather than imposing top-down control
Contrast with the image of God as a monarchic ruler, drawing on the writings of modern theologians like N.T. Wright and process theology

(21:48) Forbidden Knowledge and the Fall of Spiritual Beings

Genesis 6 and the concept of forbidden knowledge—focusing on the "sons of God" and their descent to earth to impart knowledge to humans
Insights from Second Temple Judaism, particularly the Book of Enoch, which describes the Watchers (fallen angels) and their impact on human society (e.g., warfare, sorcery)
Exploration of the ripple effects of this forbidden knowledge, particularly its role in increasing corruption, violence, and the distancing of humanity from God

(26:07) The Three Falls in Genesis

The three major falls: the fall of humanity (Adam and Eve), the fall of angels (Genesis 6), and the Tower of Babel
The fall of humanity seen as the introduction of sin and mortality, contrasted with the fall of angels as a cosmic rebellion against divine order
The Tower of Babel as a story of human pride and God’s intervention to scatter nations, marking the division of the world’s spiritual and political powers
Contrast between Western original sin and ancient Jewish views, which often focus more on corporate responsibility and spiritual rebellion

(32:08) Understanding Satan in the Old Testament

Satan’s role as accuser and adversary in books like Job and Zechariah, where he serves as a prosecutor within God’s divine court
Challenging the idea of Satan as a single, purely evil figure—early Jewish texts often depict multiple adversarial beings or forces
Satan as a complex figure in early traditions, not yet the personified "Devil" of later Christian theology

(38:36) Divine Council and Judgment in Psalms

Psalm 82 and the judgment of a divine council of gods, referencing ancient Near Eastern beliefs about multiple deities or spiritual beings ruling over nations
Yahweh’s role as the supreme judge, condemning other gods for failing to uphold justice
Themes of justice and God’s governance, tying into modern reflections on power, corruption, and spiritual accountability

(42:07) Government and Faith

Critique of reliance on human governments, particularly in light of the early Christian conviction that worldly power is often corrupt and spiritually compromised
Argument for returning to Jesus’ teachings of nonviolence, servant leadership, and the Kingdom of God as an alternative to political systems
Flaws in human political systems, emphasizing the spiritual forces (often negative) influencing earthly governments, as suggested in texts like Ephesians 6:12

(44:50) Jesus as the Reflection of God

Jesus as the true representation of God’s nature—emphasizing themes of mercy, forgiveness, and love that contrast with some portrayals of divine wrath in the Old Testament
Challenge to traditional Old Testament views of God, especially regarding violence, punishment, and divine judgment
Jesus’ teachings as a way to redefine divine understanding, focusing on His emphasis on humility, sacrifice, and radical love

(47:32) The Desire for a Tall King

Israelites’ desire for a human king in 1 Samuel as a rejection of divine rule—paralleling modern tendencies to seek political leaders rather than trust in God
Symbolism of Saul’s height as a reflection of superficial values (power, strength) that overshadow spiritual reliance on God
Impact on understanding biblical leadership, emphasizing the contrast between Saul and David, a king after God’s heart

(50:21) Voting as a Rejection of God

1 Samuel 8 and the Israelites demanding a king, even after God warns them of the consequences—seen as a moment of turning away from direct divine leadership
Discussion on the tension between human governance and divine authority, especially relevant to modern debates on Christian participation in politics
Questions raised about whether voting in modern democratic systems reflects a similar desire for human control, potentially in conflict with a Christ-centered worldview

(55:14) No King but Christ: A Return to Early Christian Teachings

Early Christian belief of "No king but Christ," emphasizing their refusal to swear allegiance to Roman emperors or earthly powers
Implications for modern Christian practice—how this ancient conviction challenges contemporary involvement in political systems and nationalistic ideologies
Exploration of how this principle calls for a reevaluation of political engagement, possibly advocating for a form of Christian anarchism or kingdom-focused living that transcends political affiliations