What we’re about
Ever feel like something's missing from modern interpretations of early Christian texts? Curious about how the very first followers of Jesus really understood their world, the 'Gospel,' and their place within a cosmos teeming with spiritual forces?
Welcome to 'Kingdom Allegiance in a Contested Cosmos' – a journey back to the 1st Century!
This isn't your typical Bible study. We're peeling back 1,700 years of theological varnish to dive headfirst into the mindset of the ancient world. Imagine a reality where:
- The Unseen Realm is Real: Yahweh, the Most High God, presides over a heavenly council. But here's the twist: nations were once governed by lesser divine beings, the "sons of God" (think the 'Watchers' from texts like 1 Enoch).
- Cosmic Rebellion Has Consequences: These angelic governors rebelled, leading humanity into idolatry and corruption. Their influence – and that of their monstrous offspring, the Nephilim, whose spirits became demons – is behind the pagan gods and the twisted practices of the Gentile kingdoms. Think forbidden knowledge, systemic injustice, and spiritual darkness, all rooted in this ancient mutiny.
- The 'Gospel' is a Battle Cry: The "Good News" (εὐαγγέλιον) wasn't just about personal salvation; it was a revolutionary political announcement! King Jesus has been enthroned, launching a direct challenge to both Caesar's earthly empire and the spiritual dominion of these fallen cosmic powers.
- Allegiance is Everything: Hearing this Gospel demanded a choice: whose side are you on? To pledge loyalty to King Jesus meant defecting from the spiritual overlords you were born under, renouncing their corrupt ways (like idolatry and practices linked to the Watcher legacy), and embracing a new, radical loyalty to the true King. The stakes? Cosmic treason if you turned back!
What We'll Explore:
- Ditching anachronism: How to read ancient texts without imposing later doctrines.
- The "Deuteronomy 32 / Enochian" view of the cosmos: divine council, fallen angels, Nephilim, and demons.
- Paganism through 1st-century eyes: Not just myths, but active spiritual opposition.
- The Gospel as a royal summons to switch kingdoms.
- What "repentance" and "faith" meant in a world of competing loyalties.
- How practices like those in Acts 15 were about demonstrating this new, exclusive allegiance.
Who is this for?
Anyone fascinated by:
- The historical and cultural context of early Christianity.
- The "supernatural worldview" of the ancient Near East and Greco-Roman world.
- Understanding terms like "Gospel," "Kingdom of God," and "allegiance" in their original, potent sense.
- A more "historically-grounded" and perhaps "grittier" understanding of the early Jesus movement.
Join us if you're ready to see the ancient world – and the early Christian message – in a whole new, electrifying light! We're not just reading texts; we're stepping into a different reality to understand why the message of Jesus was so radical and world changing."
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