It’s surprising that it took so long, but someone had to do it eventually. Usually in just by-the-way kinds of references Scripture makes us aware of a very real world that is all around us but that remains unseen, and Michael Heiser has given us the most extensive investigation of it to date. It’s just one of those studies you can’t find elsewhere.
Endorsements
Richard E. Averbeck, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
This is a provocative book that is badly needed. Many readers will be surprised by it—both its main theme and certain specific parts of it. This is because the author highlights the unseen realm as the Bible presents it in its ancient context, but this part of what the Bible teaches has not been well incorporated into either Christian theology or the preaching and teaching of the believing church (or at least many segments of it). We tend to ignore or downplay the many passages where the unseen realm is made visible, along with their implications. The author is enthusiastic about how his own eyes have been opened by the text, so he has written this book to open the eyes of his brothers and sisters in Christ to this same unseen (but very real!) realm.
Daniel I. Block, Wheaton College
In this remarkable volume Michael Heiser not only opens our eyes to the unseen realm of the supernatural in the Scriptures, but also alerts us to the reality of supernatural forces in our own experience. Although based on exhaustive research in both primary biblical and ancient Near Eastern sources and secondary scholarly literature relevant to his project, Michael’s book is written in a style that is accessible to scholars and laypeople alike. Even when readers disagree with his interpretation of specific biblical texts, they will be stimulated and inspired by fresh readings that he offers as he constructs a coherent picture of the role of the supernatural in biblical revelation.
Darrell L. Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary
There is a world referred to in the Scripture that is quite unseen, but also quite present and active. Michael Heiser’s The Unseen Realm seeks to unmask this world. Heiser shows how important it is to understand this world and appreciate how its contribution helps to make sense of Scripture. The book is clear and well done, treating many ideas and themes that often go unseen themselves. With this book, such themes will no longer be neglected, so read it and discover a new realm for reflection about what Scripture teaches.
John Goldingay, Fuller Theological Seminary
How was it possible that I had never seen that before? Dr. Heiser’s survey of the complex reality of the supernatural world as the Scriptures portray it covers a subject that is strangely sidestepped. No one is going to agree with everything in his book, but the subject deserves careful study, and so does this book.
Tremper Longman III, Westmont College
This is a “big” book in the best sense of the term. It is big in its scope and in its depth of analysis. Michael Heiser is a scholar who knows Scripture intimately in its ancient cultural context. All—scholars, clergy, and laypeople—who read this profound and accessible book will grow in their understanding of both the Old and New Testaments, particularly as their eyes are opened to the Bible’s “unseen world.”
Editor’s Note: You’ll want to check out our two-part Summary of this book here and here.