Friday, November 13, 2020

Shandon L. Guthrie on the Problems of Heiser's Attempt to Salvage the "Watchers" Interpretation of Genesis 6

  

Michael S. Heiser offers an alternative reading—one that is not predicated on there being a literal sexual means of fathering. He writes that it is possible that “the language of cohabitation is used to convey the idea that divine beings . . . are responsible for producing the Nephilim,” but that such language is “euphemistic, not literal” in the same way one would understand the notion that “Yahweh ‘fathered’ Israel” through Abraham and Sarah (Heiser, The Unseen Realm, 187-88). Even so, in order to make sense of the fallen angel’s active involvement as the progenitors of the nƏpilîm, they still must have utilized some kind of [psychokinesis] power (i.e., “divine intervention of some sort was necessary” [Unseen Realm, 188]). Likewise, the nƏpilîm “existed because of some sort of supernatural intervention of rivals gods” (Unseen Realm, 188). Regardless of the nuance, one would have to insist that the gods qua angels are capable of manipulating human nature in order to bring forth progeny of a sort. Accordingly, a new kind of life. This is striking, for God is otherwise said to be the sole creator of every kind of life given that “by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him” (Col 1.16). Put another way, (fallen) angels are assumed to create—an attribute that is solely the preserve of God. Furthermore, these “sons of God” do not just supernaturally father their offspring, however that is supposed to be understood they are, as discussed above, attracted to and marry the mothers-to-be (Gen 6.2). Heiser’s position does not advert the reader away from this insurmountable awkwardness. Even if Heiser’s interpretation is the best way to salvage the notion that angels caused the nƏpilîm to come into being, the cost for preferring it is also prohibitive. (Shandon L. Guthrie, Gods of this World: A Philosophical Discussion and Defense of Christian Demonology [Eugene, Oreg.: Pickwick Publications, 2018], 232)