Phobetron

Jesus, Luke, and the Age of Monsters

Today’s post is from one our resident scholars, Dr. Judd Burton. Dr. Judd H. Burton is a historian and anthropologist. Specializations include Early Christianity and the Greco-Roman world, history of religions and mythology, and prehistory. Much of what he writes and speaks on is at the intersection of history, anthropology, archaeology, and theology. Burton earned a Ph.D. in history from Texas Tech University, an M.A. in anthropology from the same institution, and a B.A. in history from Hardin-Simmons University. He wrote his dissertation on the religious history of Paneas, titled, “Religion, Society, and Sacred Space at Banias.” Dr. Judd’s experience includes archaeological and anthropological work around the globe and college teaching for over 20 years.

In these Blurry circles, monsters tend to be a mainstay.

The list is extensive: vampires, giants, bigfoot (naturally), fallen angels, demons, satyrs, chthonic gods, mothman, goatman, dogman–all the -mans–etcetera etcetera, ad nauseam infinitum. There are a lot. You get the picture.

(Source¹)

As the Stranger Theology run begins this year, it seems prudent to open with a Biblical topic that is broadly applicable. After reading this article, you’ll see why it’s relevant to the Biblical message, from Genesis to Revelation. As Dr. Heiser once intoned, “if it’s weird and in the Bible, it’s probably important.”

There happens to be a substantial amount of weirdness in the Bible, including monsters. Given that Old and New Testament authors, apocryphal writers, and especially Jesus talked about them, it must be important.