Get ready for an episode that dives into the depths of ancient spiritual warfare! We welcome back Dr. Merrill Greene, a scholar whose groundbreaking research explores the protective rituals of the Qumran community. From apotropaic magic (yep, we learned a new word) to exorcisms, we discuss how ancient Jewish practices influenced early Christianity and what that means for us today. We also tackle the controversial world of deliverance ministries, spiritual disciplines, and even the role of music in spiritual warfare. Oh, and did we mention the title of Merrill’s dissertation is Sectually Transmitted Demons? Yeah, get ready for this one!https://www.weirdgod.com/Weirdness of God bookTimestamps:01:13 Apotropaic rituals vs. exorcisms02:17 What is apotropaism?03:46 Groundbreaking research on the Dead Sea Scrolls04:15 The contrast between apotropaism and exorcisms06:00 Spiritual warfare and ancient Jewish traditions06:41 The mezuzah as an apotropaic object07:07 The Passover as an act of spiritual protection08:30 Why the Reformation rejected spiritual protection rituals09:32 The dangers of monetizing spiritual practices11:33 How Merrill’s dissertation challenged modern deliverance practices13:29 The armor of God as apotropaism15:01 Apotropaism in First Nations traditions17:32 The problem with rigid deliverance ministry rules19:23 Psalm 91 as an exorcistic text21:16 What is and isn’t superstition?24:30 Jericho and the power of sound in warfare27:08 How spiritual disciplines impact supernatural protection30:33 The power of being part of a faith community35:33 The danger of exaggerated deliverance theatrics39:47 Joseph’s divination cup and biblical divination41:08 Was the Essene community influential on early Christianity?46:38 Did the Qumran community invoke spirits against each other?48:53 Merrill’s next book: Altered States of Consciousness in the Bible53:53 The stigma around altered states in Christianity56:30 Merrill’s personal encounter with the supernatural58:46 Why charismatics need academic theology01:04:25 The church’s fear of spiritual experiences01:06:39 Explaining Sectually Transmitted Demons01:11:37 Merrill prayer

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