To order Word Pictures and other books and products by Brian G.o.dawa, as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at: www.G.o.dawa.com Myth Became Fact: Storytelling, Imagination & Apologetics in the Bible By Brian G.o.dawa A collection of essays by Brian G.o.dawa about storytelling, imagination, apologetics and the Bible. Some of them have appeared in the novel series, Chronicles of the Nephilim and some have been published in various magazines or journals.

The Christian reader will gain inspiration from these insights to use more imagination in their own approach to defending the faith and glorifying G.o.d.

Old Testament Storytelling Apologetics Israel shared mythopoeic images with their pagan neighbors: The sea dragon of chaos, and the Storm G.o.d. These are polemical concepts used by Biblical writers to show the incomparability of Yahweh.

Biblical Creation and Storytelling: Cosmos, Combat and Covenant Creation stories in the ancient Near East and the Bible both express a primeval battle called Chaoskampf, the fight of deity to create order out of chaos. But how do they differ?

The Universe in Ancient Imagination A detailed comparison and contrast of the Biblical picture of the universe with the ancient Mesopotamian one. Does G.o.d communicate material structure or theological meaning?

New Testament Storytelling Apologetics Paul's sermon to the pagans on Mars Hill is an example of subversion: Communicating the Gospel in terms of a pagan narrative with a view toward replacing their worldview.

Mythopoeia in Prophecy and Apocalyptic Genre G.o.d uses mythical descriptions of future events to deliberately obscure his message while simultaneously proving his claim about the true meaning and purpose behind history.

An Apologetic of Biblical Horror An exploration of the genre of horror to show how G.o.d uses it as a powerful moral tool to communicate serious spiritual, moral, and social defilement in the context of repentance from sin and redemptive victory over evil.

To order books and products by Brian G.o.dawa, as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at: www.G.o.dawa.com

MOVIES BY BRIAN G.o.dAWA.

To End All Wars Written by Brian G.o.dawa A true story about Allied P.O.W.s who endure harsh treatment at the hands of their j.a.panese captors during World War II while they are forced to build a railroad through the Burmese jungle.

Alleged Written by Fred Foote and Brian G.o.dawa Alleged is a romantic drama based on events using both historical and fictional elements occurring behind the scenes and outside the courtroom of the famous Scopes "Monkey Trial" of 1925.

The Visitation Written by Brian G.o.dawa Based on the bestseller by Frank Peretti Peretti's supernatural thriller tells the story of a mysterious stranger (Edward Furlong) and his three a.s.sociates, who arrive in a small town and perform miracles on those who would follow. Who is this charismatic drifter the townspeople have chosen to follow? Is he the true messiah, a false prophet or something far more sinister?

Change Your Life!

Written by Adam Christing and Brian G.o.dawa Adam Christing hosts this hilarious mock.u.mentary following a group of six average Americans pursuing the American dream: Get Rich Quick! And they're going to do it through multi-level marketing. Super Success guru, Simon Martinez and his wife, Melinda (played by Hollywood stars Tony Plana and Ada Maris) are coming to town with their marketing strategy of how to make money, hosted at the big convention called Successpo!

To order these movies and other books and products by Brian G.o.dawa, as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at: www.G.o.dawa.com Doc.u.mentaries BY BRIAN G.o.dAWA Lines That Divide Written and Directed by Brian G.o.dawa Stem cell research: A potential miracle cure for diseases or a form of biological colonialism? The debate still rages over this controversial science. Supporters argue that it is our moral duty to pursue scientific progress that provides healing hope for humanity. Detractors argue that the ends don't justify the means in harvesting some human life to save others. This doc.u.mentary seeks to educate the public on the scientific basics of stem cell research and the moral issues surrounding it as we enter the 21st century.

Wall of Separation Written and Directed by Brian G.o.dawa The "wall of separation" is a metaphor deeply embedded in the American consciousness, and an idea that continues to cause deep controversy within the country. In this historical doc.u.mentary, G.o.dawa takes a look at what the Founding Fathers intended when they framed the Const.i.tution and wrote the First Amendment religion clauses. Were they trying to create a Christian nation, a secular paradise, or something in between?

To order these movies and other books and products by Brian G.o.dawa, as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at: www.G.o.dawa.com

AUDIO LECTURES BY BRIAN G.o.dAWA.

Brian has spoken around the world on the topic of movies, worldviews, and faith. Now you can purchase some of his presentations on downloadable MP3 directly from his website, www.G.o.dawa.com! Here are a sample of presentations: Art, Movies & Worldviews 6-Lecture Series by Brian G.o.dawa 1. The Church and the Arts: Friends or Foes?

2. From Bezalel to Jesus: Art in the Bible 3. Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang: s.e.x & Violence in the Movies 4. That's More Than Entertainment!: Redemption in the Movies 5. Following Your Heart: Existentialism in the Movies 6. Losing Our Grip on Reality: Postmodernism in the Movies Screenwriting for Christians A 9-Lecture Series by Brian G.o.dawa Brian teaches the basic elements of storytelling used in writing screenplays from a Christian worldview, complete with examples and a.n.a.lysis of movies that ill.u.s.trate the lessons. Comes with 30 pages of Student Handouts so you can follow along and take the cla.s.s on tape! This was taught at YWAM's University of the Nations.

1. Introduction/ s.e.x & Violence & the Bible 2. Christian writer 3. Basic Structure/ Premise/Theme 4. Premise/Theme Part 2 5. Character 6. Plot 7. Scene 8. The Business and the Life of the Writer 9. a.n.a.lysis of first 10 pages of "The Sixth Sense"

Storytelling, Worldviews & Persuasion 2 Lectures by Brian G.o.dawa

Part 1: Incarnation

The modern Christian exclusive concentration on logic, precision and rationality has missed a fuller Biblical approach. In the Scriptures, truth and persuasion are mediated through imagination and storytelling as well. Brian addresses the power of incarnation used in Biblical storytelling and imagery. Examples from film clips are used to ill.u.s.trate.

Part 2: Subversion

Brian examines the Biblical usage of subversion through storytelling as a means of engaging culture and capturing it for Christ. He shows how the Apostle Paul used subversion to retell the Stoic story in Christian terms.

Defense of the Faith 12-Lecture Series by Brian G.o.dawa This is a different approach to apologetics than the typical way that "proves" a generic theism, then "proves" the Bible, then "proves" the resurrection. This series addresses the weaknesses of typical apologetics and explores how to defend the faith on a deeper level, the level of the worldview of the unbeliever.

1. Introduction to Apologetics 2. Logic Part 1: Intro 3. Logic Part 2: fallacies 4. Logic Part 3: fallacies 5. Faith and Reason 6. Ant.i.thesis: Acts 17 7. Worldviews Part 1 8. Worldviews Part 2 9. Authority and Truth 10. Authority: Part 2 11. Ethics 12. Technique Bible Prophecy & the End Times: It's Not When They Told You It Is 10-Lecture Series by Brian G.o.dawa The Book of Revelation is more like an Epic Horror Fantasy than a sermon. Brian explores the creative literary imagery of the First Century writings used in Revelation. The Left Behind novel series has made a gazillion dollars based on a popular view of the End Times. What would shock some Christians is to discover that this view is not Biblical. Brian examines the common beliefs of the Left Behind dogma and compares them to the Bible. He shows how the Bible itself explains how most of these prophecies have already been fulfilled. A partial preterist approach to Bible prophecy.

Two options are available for purchase. You can either buy just the MP3 audio, or buy the DVD video versions that have the same audio, BUT ALSO lots of colorful and helpful Powerpoint visuals and film clips for a much richer presentation of the material.

1. Interpreting Bible Prophecy 2. Israel in Prophecy 3. The Last Days 4. The Rapture 5. The Great Tribulation 6. The Anti-Christ 7. The Beast 8. The Coming of Christ 9. The Millennium Part 1 10. The Millennium Part 2 To order these audio lectures and other books and products by Brian G.o.dawa, as well as FREE articles, just go to the STORE at: www.G.o.dawa.com

[1] Geoffrey W. Bromiley, "G.o.d, Names of," The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Revised. Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1988; 2002, p. 504-508.

[2] Michael S. Heiser, The Myth That is True: Rediscovering the Cosmic Narrative of the Bible, unpublished ma.n.u.script, 2011, p 25-29. Available online at www.michaelsheiser.com. I have read quite a few scholars on the divine council, but Michael Heiser has been the most helpful and represents the major influence on this essay.

[3] Michael S. Heiser, "Monotheism, Polytheism, Monolatry, or Henotheism? Toward an a.s.sessment of Divine Plurality in the Hebrew Bible" (2008). Faculty Publications and Presentations. Paper 277, p. 12-15, http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1276&context=lts_fac_pubs&sei-redir=1#search=%22heiser+Monotheism,+Polytheism,+Monolatry,+or+Henotheism%22 accessed March 23, 2011.

[4] Randall Tan, David A. deSilva, and Logos Bible Software. The Lexham Greek-English Interlinear Septuagint. Logos Bible Software, 2009. Baruch 4:7 in the Apocrypha echoes this Scriptural theme as well when speaking of Israel's apostasy: "For you provoked him who made you, by sacrificing to demons and not to G.o.d."

[5] Lancelot Charles Lee Brenton, The Septuagint Version of the Old Testament: English Translation (London: Samuel Bagster and Sons, 1870), Is 65:11. Randall Tan and David A. deSilva, Logos Bible Software, The Lexham Greek-English Interlinear Septuagint (Logos Bible Software, 2009), Is 65:11.

[6] James H. Charlesworth, The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: Volume 1, 1 En 19:1 (New York; London: Yale University Press, 1983).

[7] The astute reader will notice that some Bible translations read "according to the sons of Israel." The ESV reflects the latest consensus of scholarship that the Septuagint (LXX) and the Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) segment of this verse is the earlier and more accurate reading than the later Masoretic Text (MT) of the same. See Heiser, Michael, "Does Deuteronomy 32:17 a.s.sume or Deny the Reality of Other G.o.ds?" (2008). Faculty Publications and Presentations. Paper 322, p 137-145. http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/lts_fac_pubs/322/ [8] H. Niehr, "Host of Heaven," Toorn, K. van der, Bob Becking, and Pieter Willem van der Horst. Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible DDD. 2nd extensively rev. ed. Leiden; Boston; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Brill; Eerdmans, 1999., 428-29; I. Zatelli, "Astrology and the Worship of the Stars in the Bible," ZAW 103 (1991): 86-99.

[9] "Astrology", Encyclopaedia Judaica Michael Berenbaum and Fred Skolnik, eds. 2nd ed. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2007, p. 8424.

[10] See also Deut 4:19; Deut 17:3; 2King 23:4-5; 1King 22:19; Neh 9:6.

[11] Jeffrey Tigay, JPS Torah Commentary: Deuteronomy (Philadelphia: The Jewish Publication Society, 1996): 435; as quoted in Michael S. Heiser, "Deuteronomy 32:8 and the Sons of G.o.d," Bibliotheca Sacra 158 (January-March 2001): 72; online: http://thedivinecouncil.com/.

[Copyright 2001 Dallas Theological Seminary;, online: http://thedivinecouncil.com/ [12] See also Job 38:4-7; Neh. 9:6; Psa 148:2-3, 1King 22:29 & 2King 21:5. In Isa 14:12-14 the king of Babylon is likened to the planet Venus (Morningstar) seeking to reign above the other stars of heaven, which are equivalent to the sons of G.o.d who surround G.o.d's throne on the "mount of a.s.sembly" or "divine council" (see Psa 89:5-7 and Psa 82).

[13] See also 1 Enoch 89:59, 62-63; 90:25, 56:5; 3Enoch 48C:9, DSS War Scroll 1Q33 Col. xvii:7, Targum Jonathan, Genesis 11, Section II; Philo, On the Posterity of Cain and His Exile 25.89; Concerning Noah's Work as a Planter 14.59; On the Migration of Abraham 36.202; 1 Clement 29; Origen, First Principles 1.5.1. Thanks to Don Enevoldsen for some of these pa.s.sages. Walter Wink footnotes a plenitude of texts about the 70 angel "G.o.ds" over the 70 nations in the Targums in Walter Wink. Naming the Powers: The Language of Power in the New Testament (The Powers : Volume One) (Kindle Locations 2235-2242). Kindle Edition.

[14] Some prominent examples are: The Jewish Rabbinic Targums and Babylonian Talmud as referenced in "The Sons of G.o.d and Nephilim of Genesis 6: Aliens, Demons, or Humans?" By Gary DeMar (Unpublished ma.n.u.script); Ramban (Nachmanides), Commentary on the Torah: Genesis, trans. Charles B. Chavel (New York: Shilo Publishing House, 1971); William H. Green, "The Sons of G.o.d and the Daughters of Men," in The Unity of the Book of Genesis(New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1910); Meredith G. Kline, Kingdom Prologue: Genesis Foundations for a Covenantal Worldview, (Overland Park: KS; Two Age Press, 2000); James B. Jordan, Primeval Saints: Studies in the Patriarchs of Genesis (Moscow, ID: Canon Press, 2001).

[15] Heiser points about that the Greek word for "only begotten" son of G.o.d is monogenes, which is better translated as "unique," in the same way that Isaac was not Abraham's only son, but was referred to as his "only son" in this sense of uniqueness (Heb 11:17). Heiser The Myth That is True, p. 28-29.

[16] Michael S. Heiser, "Deuteronomy 32:8 and the Sons of G.o.d" http://www.thedivinecouncil.com/DT32BibSac.pdf, accessed March 23, 2011, p 20-21. See also, "Michael S. Heiser, "Mormonism's Use of Psalm 82," The FARMS Review, 19/1, 2007, http://www.thedivinecouncil.com/John10Psa82excerpt.pdf accessed March 23, 2011.

[17] K.L. Noll, Canaan and Israel in Antiquity: An Introduction, New York: NY; Shefffield Academic Press, 2001, p. 212.

[18] Another possibility, henotheism, is the belief that there are many G.o.ds but one G.o.d is supreme over them all. But this is nothing more than an exalted polytheism because that supreme G.o.d is not a different species, whereas Biblical theism or monolatry maintains Yahweh as being of a different substance, essence, or species than the other G.o.ds it speaks of.

[19] Michael S. Heiser, The Divine Council In Late Canonical And Non-Canonical Second Temple Jewish Literature (Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin, 2004), 10.

[20] Deut 33:1-4; Job 5:1; 15:15; Psa 89:5, 7; Dan 8:13; 14:7; Zech 14:5; Jude 14. Michael S. Heiser points out that even though the MT of Deut 33:1-4 appears to reference the congregation of Israel as "holy ones," the Septuagint version of this verse, which the New Testament authors seem to quote, applies the term to "angels" at Sinai through whom G.o.d gave the law (Acts 7:52-53; Heb 2:1-2; Gal 3:19) Heiser, The Myth That is True, p. 149-152. In Daniel 7 it appears that the holy ones in G.o.d's divine council in heaven (7:27) are spoken of in fusion (7:21-22, 25) with the "saints" or holy ones in earthly Israel (7:18). The beasts of earthly kingdoms ruled over by their Watcher Princes are at war with Israel and its Watchers led by Michael. And in Deut 33:2-3 the term "holy ones" is used of both Israelites and supernatural beings in the same paragraph.

[21] And behold! He cometh with ten thousands of His holy ones, To execute judgment upon all, And to destroy all the unG.o.dly. (Enoch 1:9) And his activities had to do with the Watchers, and his days were with the holy ones. (Enoch 12:2) And it came to pa.s.s after this that my spirit was translated And it ascended into the heavens: And I saw the holy sons of G.o.d. (Enoch 71:1) [22] See these DSS pa.s.sages: 1QM 1:16; 10:1112; 12:1, 4, 7; 15:14; 1QS 11:78; 1QH 3:2122; 10:35; 1QDM 4:1; 1QSb 1:5; 1Q 36:1; 1QapGen 2:1. John Joseph Collins, Frank Moore Cross and Adela Yarbro Collins, Daniel: A Commentary on the Book of Daniel, Hermeneia-a critical and historical commentary on the Bible (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993), 313-314. The sectarian Jews from Qumran who safeguarded the Dead Sea Scrolls believed they were united with the angels in heaven, so they occasionally used the term "holy ones" to refer to those humans, but this reinforces the usage of the term as related to the angelic beings.

[23] Herbert B. Huffmon "The Covenant Lawsuit in the Prophets" Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 78, No. 4 (Dec., 1959), pp. 285-295; Wheeler Robinson, H., "The Council of Yahweh," Journal of Theological Studies, 45 (1944) p.151-158.

[24] John Walton called it a "common cognitive environment." John H. Walton. Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2006; p 21.

[25] Thorkild Jacobsen, "Primitive Democracy in Ancient Mesopotamia," Journal of Near Eastern Studies, Vol. 2, No. 3 (Jul., 1943), 167.

[26] Patrick D. Miller, "Cosmology And World Order In The Old Testament The Divine Council As Cosmic-Political Symbol" Israelite Religion and Biblical Theology: Collected Essays by Patrick D. Miller, NY: Sheffield Academic Press, 2000, p 425.

[27] The seven G.o.ds who determine fate are portrayed in the novel Noah Primeval as An, the G.o.d of heaven, Enlil the G.o.d of storm, Enki the G.o.d of water, Ninhursag the earth G.o.ddess, Nanna the moon G.o.d, Utu the sun G.o.d and Inanna the G.o.ddess of s.e.x and war.

[28] Jacobsen, "Primitive Democracy," 168-169.

[29] Min Suc Kee, "The Heavenly Council and its Type-scene," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Vol 31.3 (2007): 259-273.

[30] Heiser, The Divine Council, 8.

[31] Heiser, The Divine Council, 34-41.

[32] Gerald Cooke, "The Sons of (the) G.o.d(s)," Zeitschrift fur die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, n.s.:35:1 (1964), p 45-46.

[33] Miller, "Cosmology And World Order," p 442.

[34] Michael S. Heiser The Myth That is True: Rediscovering the Cosmic Narrative of the Bible, unpublished ma.n.u.script, 2011, p 70. Available at www.michaelsheiser.com.

[35] For a refutation of the sons of G.o.d as human rulers, judges or potentates, see Appendix A, "The Divine Council and the Sons of G.o.d."

[36] Richard J. Bauckham, Vol. 50, Word Biblical Commentary: 2 Peter, Jude. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 2002. Here is the Jude pa.s.sage: "[T]hat Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the unG.o.dly of all their deeds of unG.o.dliness that they have committed in such an unG.o.dly way, and of all the harsh things that unG.o.dly sinners have spoken against him." Here is 1 Enoch 1:9, the text from the actual book that Jude quotes: "And behold! He cometh with ten thousands of His holy ones to execute judgement upon all, and to destroy all the unG.o.dly: And to convict all flesh of all the works of their unG.o.dliness which they have unG.o.dly committed, and of all the hard things which unG.o.dly sinners have spoken against Him.

[37] See 1 Enoch 6-19 and 86-88, especially 7:1-2; 15-16; 106:17. Richard Bauckham observes, "This was how the account of the "sons of G.o.d" in Gen 6:14 was universally understood (so far as our evidence goes) until the mid-second century a.d. (1 Enoch 619; 21; 8688; 106:1315, 17; Jub. 4:15, 22; 5:1; CD 2:1719; 1QapGen 2:1; Tg. Ps.-J. Gen. 6:14; T. Reub. 5:67; T. Napht. 3:5; 2 Apoc. Bar. 56:1014)." Bauckham, Richard J. Vol. 50, Word Biblical Commentary : 2 Peter, Jude. Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 2002, p 51. Other Second Temple Jewish writings support this ancient interpretation of pre-diluvian Nephilim/human offspring as giants: 3 Baruch 4:10; Wisdom 14:6; 3 Maccabees 2:4; Sirach 16:7.

[38] Apocrypha of the Old Testament, Volume 1, ed. Robert Henry Charles, Sir 16:78. Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2004, 372.

[39] Charlesworth, James H. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha: Volume 1. New York; London: Yale University Press, 1983, 812 [40] Apocrypha of the Old Testament, Volume 1. ed. Robert Henry Charles, 3 Mac 2:5. Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2004, 164.

[41] Pseudepigrapha of the Old Testament Volume 1. ed. Robert Henry Charles. Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2004, 42.

[42] C. Westermann concludes, "There is every reason to think that the Nephilim in 4a refers to mythical semi-divine beings, the fruit of the marriages of the G.o.ds with humans, who are connected with the overstepping of the bound presumed in the divine judgment of v. 3. "They came to (them)": " 'to come to' refers in this connection only to the male who visits a woman's quarters, 30:16; 38:16" (E.A. Speiser, AncB). This sentence states expressly that children were the fruit of the union of the sons of the G.o.ds with the daughters of men, and clearly, they must be something special; they could not be just plain ordinary mortals." Claus Westermann, A Continental Commentary: Genesis 1-11, (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 1994), p 378.

[43] Genesis 6:4; Randall Tan, David A. deSilva, and Logos Bible Software. The Lexham Greek-English Interlinear Septuagint. Logos Bible Software, 2009.

[44] Michael S. Heiser, "The Meaning of the Word Nephilim: Fact vs. Fantasy" http://www.acidtestpress.com/ [45] Joshua 11:21 says that the only Anakim left by the time of David were in Gaza, Ashdod and Gath, Goliath's home.

[46] David Tsumura, The First Book of Samuel, The New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2007), 441.

[47] Josh. 1:14; 6:2; 8:3; 10:2, 7; Judges 11:1, 1Sam. 2:4; 14:52; 2Sam.23:16-17, 22; 2King 5:1; 24:14; 1Chr. 7:5, 7, 11, 40, and many others. Nimrod was noted as being the first Gibborim mighty warrior on earth after the flood: Gen. 10:8; 1Chr. 5:24.

[48] K. van der Toorn, Bob Becking and Pieter Willem van der Horst, Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible DDD, 2nd extensively rev. ed., 162 (Leiden; Boston; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Brill; Eerdmans, 1999).

[49] "Bashan," DDD, p 161-162. "According to KTU 1.108:13, the abode of the dead and deified king, and his place of enthronement as [Rephaim] was in [Ashtarot and Edrei], in amazing correspondence with the Biblical tradition about the seat of king Og of Bashan, "one of the survivors of the Rephaim, who lived in Ashtarot and Edrei" (Josh 12:4)."

[50] The non-canonical book of Enoch supports this same interpretation: "Enoch 6:6 And they were in all two hundred [sons of G.o.d]; who descended in the days of Jared on the summit of Mount Hermon, and they called it Mount Hermon, because they had sworn and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it."