Read These Books
There is a lot of crossover between categories, but I organized the books according to their primary objectives. You may need to read through other lists if you’re looking for a specific resource.
As many books are listed–and all are recommended–I’ve put a star ☆ next to “must-read” resources. The books are otherwise listed in alphabetical order, not in any prioritized order.
If you’re new to Biblical Theology and the Divine Council Worldview, I recommend you read the “Where to start?” books in the order listed. If you read the ten books listed, you’ll have a pretty robust foundation in Biblical Theology that will guide you through anything else you’re looking to study. I’ve staggered books that drive at a practical angle from the perspective of Biblical Theology while pointing towards theological growth.
Finally, don’t miss the practical theology section, as many people want to know how biblical theology informs Christian and Church practice.
New to Biblical Theology–Where to start?
The Unseen Realm (Heiser)
The Gospel is Bigger than You Think (Delgado)
Reversing Hermon (Heiser)
Lord of Spirits (Damick)
Salvation by Allegiance Alone (Bates)
For the Glory of God (Block)
Powers of Darkness (Arnold)
The Re-Enchantment of the West (Partridge)
The Mission of God’s People (Wright)
General Biblical Theology
☆ Beale, G. K. A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011.
Childs, Brevard S. Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments: Theological Reflection on the Christian Bible. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2011.
Goppelt, Leonhard. Typos: The Typological Interpretation of the Old Testament in the New. Translated by Donald H. Madvig. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1982.
Grindheim, Sigurd. Introducing Biblical Theology. London; New Delhi; New York; Sydney: Bloomsbury, 2013.
Kimble, Jeremy M., and Ched Spellman. Invitation to Biblical Theology: Exploring the Shape, Storyline, and Themes of Scripture. Invitation to Theological Studies Series. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2020.
Vos, Geerhardus. Biblical Theology: Old and New Testaments. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2003.
Walton, John H. Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible. Second Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2018.
Waters, Guy Prentiss, J. Nicholas Reid, and John R. Muether, eds. Covenant Theology: Biblical, Theological, and Historical Perspectives. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020.
Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God: Unlocking the Bible’s Grand Narrative. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2006.
Divine Council Theology
☆ Arnold, Clinton E. Powers of Darkness: Principalities & Powers in Paul’s Letters. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 1992.
☆ Block, Daniel I. The Gods of the Nations: Studies in Ancient Near Eastern National Theology. Second Edition. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 1988.
☆ Damick, Andrew Stephen. The Lord of Spirits: An Orthodox Christian Framework for the Unseen World and Spiritual Warfare. Chesterton, IN: Ancient Faith Publishing, 2023.
Harkins, Angela Kim, Kelley Coblentz Bautch, and John C. Endres, eds. The Watchers in Jewish and Christian Traditions. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2014.
Heiser, Michael S. Angels: What the Bible Really Says about God’s Heavenly Host. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2018.
Heiser, Michael S. Demons: What the Bible Really Says about the Powers of Darkness. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020.
☆ Heiser, Michael S. Reversing Hermon: Enoch, The Watchers & The Forgotten Mission of Jesus Christ. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2017.
☆ Heiser, Michael S. The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible. First Edition. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2015.
Orlov, Andrei A. The Glory of the Invisible God: Two Powers in Heaven Traditions and Early Christology. London: T&T Clark, 2019.
Segal, Alan F. Two Powers in Heaven: Early Rabbinic Reports about Christianity and Gnosticism. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2012.
Walton, John H., and J. Harvey Walton. Demons and Spirits in Biblical Theology: Reading the Biblical Text in Its Cultural and Literary Context. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2019.
DCW Community Books
These are books written by DCW community members (people influenced by Michael Heiser) rather than books by authors he recommended or hosted on the podcast.
☆ Delgado, Anthony. The Gospel is Bigger than You Think: Why a Comprehensive Gospel Creates Lasting Kingdom Impact. Palmdale, CA: Biblical Reenchantment Books, 2024.
Delgado, Anthony. The Watchers and the Holy Ones: An Evangelical Reading of 1 Enoch: The Book of the Watchers. Palmdale, CA: Biblical Reenchantment Books, 2023.
Lewis, Caleb S. Through the Waters: A Biblical Theology of the Book of Genesis. Eugene, OR: Resource Publications, 2024.
Overmyer, Douglas R. Seers See: Instruction on Seeing into the Spiritual Realm. Independently published, 2024.
Steadman, T.J. Answers to Giant Questions: How Understanding the Biblical Nephilim Will Enlarge Your Faith. Independently published, 2020.
Applied/Practical Theology
from a Biblical-theological Perspective.
☆ Bates, Matthew W. Salvation by Allegiance Alone: Rethinking Faith, Works, and the Gospel of Jesus the King. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2017.
☆ Beale, G. We Become What We Worship: A Biblical Theology of Idolatry. InterVarsity Press Academic, 2018.
☆ Block, Daniel I. For the Glory of God: Recovering a Biblical Theology of Worship. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014.
Smith, James K. A. Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009.
☆ Partridge, Christopher H. The Re-Enchantment of the West: Alternative Spiritualities, Sacralization, Popular Culture, and Occulture. London; New York: T&T Clark, 2004.
☆ Wright, Christopher J. H. The Mission of God’s People: A Biblical Theology of the Church’s Mission. Biblical Theology for Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010.
Wyatt, N. Space and Time in the Religious Life of the Near East. Vol. 85. The Biblical Seminar. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001.
Resources
☆ Alexander, T. Desmond, and Brian S. Rosner, eds. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Electronic ed. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
☆ Beale, G. K., and D. A. Carson. Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI; Nottingham, UK: Baker Academic; Apollos, 2007.
Brown, Colin, ed. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. 4 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1986.
Carson, D. A., ed. New Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2000.
Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Electronic ed. Baker Reference Library. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996.
☆ Van der Toorn, Karel, Bob Becking, and Pieter Willem van der Horst. Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. Leiden; Boston; Köln; Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge: Brill; Eerdmans, 1999.
VanGemeren, Willem A., ed. New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis. 5 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1997.
Recommended Series’
☆ Carson, D. A., ed. New Studies in Biblical Theology. London: Apollos; Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 1995–.
Clendenen, E. Ray, ed. NAC Studies in Bible & Theology. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2003–.
Köstenberger, Andreas J., and Darrell L. Bock, eds. Biblical Theology of the New Testament. 5 vols. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2009–.
Ortlund, Dane C., and Miles V. Van Pelt, eds. Short Studies in Biblical Theology. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016–.
☆ Schreiner, Thomas R., Brian S. Rosner, Benjamin L. Gladd, and D. A. Carson, eds. Evangelical Biblical Theology Commentary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020–.