Lots to update you all on.
Unseen Realm and Supernatural
I had a meeting on Tuesday about the progress of the books. Here are the details so that you all know what I know.
1. The Unseen Realm is (literally) being printed as we speak for imminent release.
2. For those who pre-ordered The Unseen Realm on Amazon (or will as a result of this update) – I have been told (and I quote): “There is a very strong likelihood that they will receive their orders the first full week of June.” The Kindle version should be available for download at the same time.
3. The reason for the delay (and you Logos users, please read what follows carefully) is because Lexham (imprint of Logos/Faithlife) has decided NOT to pre-pub these books. That’s new. For those who understand pre-pub, it says “we’re waiting to see who’s interested in this item and will not push the button on it until our pre-orders match our costs.” That isn’t what’s happening here. Our CEO wants these books launched like the print world launches books. The message is “These books are significant and ought to be read by everyone — so get on the bandwagon.” In preparation for a publicized launch, the video department here has been tasked with creating a professional launch video for The Unseen Realm. I’ll be in it, and three scholars (fields: OT, NT, Systematic Theology) with big names in the evangelical orbit have agreed to be in it, endorsing and talking about The Unseen Realm. The hope is that the video captured will go into post production by June 1, which will mean producing a video sometime during the first full week of June. So, as launch plans have changed, the timeline for the books has changed (a bit). For samples of the video team’s work, go here (there are several videos at the location; I recommend “What’s New in Logos 6”). The point: our video team knows what it’s doing.
4. The team that converts text into Logos books (the Logos software format) is already working on The Unseen Realm, so for those who want the book in that form, that’s on the same schedule. Same for the book in our own reader app (Vyrso).
5. Supernatural is about two weeks behind the above calendar for The Unseen Realm. However, this past week samplers of the book have gone out to about 70 evangelical leaders (think megachurch pastors and popular Christian writers). The company has relationships with the majority of them. We’re hoping that some will endorse Supernatural (and also become aware of The Unseen Realm.
6. As a result of the above, the two books will (obviously) not be “bundled” at the outset (another Logos term). We will likely bundle the books in various formats when two additional items are ready. (Yes, there’s more!) The Unseen Realm will have a primer companion. Doug Van Dorn, a pastor in Colorado, has written a Q & A primer based on the content of The Unseen Realm. His primer reads like a catechism due to that style. Doug is very versed in divine council worldview/theology. The title of the primer will be: Sons of God, Seed of Abraham: A Primer to Michael S. Heiser’s The Unseen Realm. The primer will probably be 140 or so pages in 6 x 9 book form. The manuscript is already done (I read through it closely and collaborated with Doug on making sure the content coverage aligns with the book). It’s just waiting for copy edit. The logic of the primer is that readers of The Unseen Realm will find it very useful to have the major content ideas in 1-2 sentence form. Each Q &A comes with Scripture references. There are also footnotes. Pastors will especially find this useful for communicating the ideas in The Unseen Realm over the pulpit or for small group use. This was Doug Van Dorn’s idea, and I’m thrilled he told me about it. It’s sweet. Supernatural will also have a small group leader’s guide. The manuscript for that is also complete and waiting for copy edit. The small group leader’s guide was written by Ronn Johnson, a long-time friend of mine and fellow divine council enthusiast. Ronn was a biblical studies professor for many years and, more importantly for this project, he pastored for a good fifteen years (as memory serves). We hope churches will adopt Supernatural as a book to read in small groups, hence the leader’s guide. It’ll be the normal size for those things. We also plan to create video snippets that track through Supernatural and the leader’s guide for small group use.
7. Once The Unseen Realm is shipping, we’ll be getting organized internally to devote someone’s time (at Logos/Faithlife) to setting up speaking events (described here). I’ve tentatively scheduled a couple already, but I won’t be the person working with those of you who want me to come for an event. Someone will be tasked with doing that for me (i.e., telling me where I’m going).
8. The companion website that will go with The Unseen Realm is almost done. It’s about 50,000 words. I’d guess a third of that is additional bibliography. I’m hoping to wrap that up by month’s end. There will be additional bibliography and notes on all 42 chapters, plus a “what’s next” page and a few other things I’ll bring up later. The site is not yet live.
Divine Council Bibliography Project
Dino Schulmeier has already complete the first two stages (of a half dozen or so) of the project. He’s been able to devote serious time to it and has proven to be meticulous. It would have taken me months to cover the ground he’s already covered. The bibliography now stands at 3,187 entries and the next two stages will seem about 750 additions. The work being done by Melissa Nienhuis will produce a few hundred more before that’s all said and done. I’ve also been trolling through journals (I scour about 30 titles for articles on material related to anything I discuss in The Unseen Realm) so that the bibliography is current (minus book reviews) through at least what’s available through 2013. I’ll hand those off to Dino when he completes the stages already assigned.
In other words, this is moving ahead better than I could have imagined.
Well, all of this is great news. Can’t wait for it!
Now, about that sequel to The Portent . . .
yeah, that’s on my “what should I do next?” list that I’ll be looking at in June.
I Hope so, the Portent wasn’t hitting Google books, so I bought a Kindle just so I could get back into the boss, lol!
I must say, well worth it, I’m engrossed!
good!
“However, this past week samplers of the book have gone out to about 70 evangelical leaders…”
70 huh, was that number intentional to keep with the Biblical reclamation project?
Looking forward to the finished product, thanks for the heads-up!
Just coincidental – the names on the spreadsheet I saw were around that number, give or take a few. Now, if we get 70 responses, well ….
and if they are identical, wow!
Again, congratulations on this season in your life and what God is doing from a macro-perspective. From the days you struggled with your dissertation (which I own and use as a resource) to the various defenses from detractors to the honing of your craft to make it more accessible to a wider audience… I can really see the finger of God behind this.
While the word “awesome” is much over used in our culture, there really isn’t a better word. Seeing how God uses a life is simply awe-inspiring.
thanks; it has indeed been a long haul, but worth it.
I guess it’s time to update that Slideshow to “Coming Mid 2015” 🙂
indeed, but “early” is still relative to “late” 🙂 But I’ll have to have the webmaster change it anyway when the books finally ship.
Updates like this are great. Much detail and information for those looking. Perhaps a checklist page would be good to have to give updates that don’t require long write-ups (minor date changes/upcoming works/etc). Think of it as a quick pass through to see how things are progressing for those who just want the bare bones info.
Thanks so much for this! I have been eagerly awaiting a post like this one!
Looking forward too seeing that speaking schedule… Dont forget to post that once you get it!!
Don’t forget us snobby Mac and iOS users… We all want an iBooks version!
I’ll pass it on – I’m guessing they have it covered.
Down the home stretch and to say this is exciting news is an understatement!
FYI-I pre-ordered The Unseen Realm on Amazon a couple months ago. Amazon recently force-refunded my money and will not allow me to pre-order or order it since. I tried today. (I tell you this in case you’re team likes this kind of feed-back from an Amazon user.) No worries though, looking forward to reading when released. Congratulations!
I’ll have to make sure we thank the Amazon robots. We never “asked” them to take pre-orders. They just create those pages and do what they do. But in any event, I’ll send the content of your note along to the publisher. Thanks!
That is good to hear. Since I am on the other side of the Pacific, I’ll at least receive my preorder by August.
Thank you for the update.
So, moving better than planned? Great!
When I go to Amazon, it will not let me per-order, see prices, etc. Is there a page I don’t know about?
Nope – That’s the only page (which is why I’ve been telling so many people to ignore Amazon — when the books are actually ready for order and shipment, it will be announced here first). The Amazon page their robots created a while back is now “on hold” (same robots) awaiting news from the printer that the book is available. Why they don’t just do that in the first place is a mystery to me.
Ironically I’ll believe it when I see it.
As much as this hurt, I had to laugh!
Congratulations on the hard work put forth! I’m excited to see things in the final stages and can’t wait to place my orders!! And to hear extra study materials will be produced is an additional cherry on top. As a youth pastor, I’d love to see if they would be appropriate for older Sr. High teens in a study group. I share the Deut 32 worldview when the opportunity shows itself and is applicable to my conversations and lessons.
I’m also looking forward to any SoCal stops you may have on tour! Praying for a warm and welcome response to these books – they are definitely on my list of reccomendations to friends and colleagues.
we may be taking a family road trip to LA late this summer; that may or may not involve anything book related; I’ll look up your church location.
Sweet! LA is about an hour (depending on our ever-famous traffic) from our church. If you’re sharing at a church down here, consider me there!
I just found your Sessions and Q&A from Temple Baptist in NC and wanted to say I thought it was a great presentation of your material. It was just as helpful hearing the questions people asked and their initial response to the content as it was hearing the answers given. Good stuff.
Thanks – nothing is planned at present for a church (this would likely be the mid weeks of August), but that could of course change. We’re just wanting to take a long overdue vacation of sorts.
Richard – I adapted parts of the Myth that is True into a series of lessons for juniors and seniors, and we went deep into it. They loved it.
Then I adapted general divine council worldview stuff in an overview of the bible for both junior and high school students.
Frankly the students loved it… even if they didn’t “get” all of it or were confused, …the whole range of concepts was well within their wheelhouse, and it provided a grid to interpret the supernatural stuff they experience or witness everyday (supernaturalism in movies, TV and pop culture in general, Ouija boards, psychics, astrology, etc, etc.)
Doug,
I have a group of kids that are really hungry for this level content as well. It answers those aching questions of the supernatural, the other world religions, and the ever-present alien-as-god mythos in pop-culture that these kids are steeped in. They can handle more content than we often give them credit for, especially if it’s presented well.
Would you be willing to share notes on what you taught your students?
If so, I’d love to see how you approached the subject, if you wouldn’t mind, of course! You can contact me at Richard (dot) Villanueva (at) rockchurch (dot) com. Really encouraging to hear someone else out there is going to these places with their students.
This makes me so happy! I’ve been directing people to your websites and lectures for years.
Thanks!
I was able to order Supernatural on Amazon just now, but the page for Unseen Realm says “Unavailable.” The delivery date for Supernatural says “Not yet available.”
Yes, but where were the “Sons of God” before the foundations of the Earth were laid??
Why would they need to “be” anywhere? I assume they were, but we aren’t given a chronological time of their creation (nor is their creation denied). But it is certainly affirmed.
Who determined its measurement? Yes, you do know.
Or who stretched
the measuring line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk?
Or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars were singing together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
From where did they shout for joy?
From wherever they were. Kind of obvious – ? This doesn’t tell us when they were created (was it minutes or aeons before the foundation of the world?)
When you asked “where” I presumed you wanted some location.
Presumably the “Unseen Realm”.
The point is that you have “inadvertently” demonstrated that some realm existed before the creation of the heavens and the earth… i.e. before the “Beginning”
Of course – Job 38 has divine beings existing before the creation of the human world. I’m not sure why that’s a big deal – ? That’s a pretty straightforward reading of that passage.
I noticed, though, that you changed the wording of Job (“foundations of the earth”) to “heavens and earth” — it says the former, not the latter. Perhaps you were thinking there was a problem in creating “heavenly realms” (understanding “heavens” that way) before the heavenly realms. But again, Job doesn’t say what you think you’re seeing there. If we really wanted to argue for a “creation chronology you could say Gen 1:1 has the heavens created before the earth, and so “heavens” in v. 1 includes the sons of God (because – presumably – it means “heavenly realms”) and then Job 38:7’s sons of God are created prior to the “earth” part of “heavens and earth.”
Note that I don’t think that’s the point of the “heavens and earth” language — I’m just guessing as to how you might be reading things.
You should publish a book on this subject. I would be interested in reading it. 🙂
It’s not like you publisher have thousands of publications to achieve. Try kicking them and publish the damn book.
The publisher of course doesn’t. The company, though, does (we do 3-4000 products per year). The problem is that the publishing arm has to solicit time from other departments. But in this case, that’s actually not what’s causing the delay — it’s the simultaneity of all the versions plus the launch video. See the most recent update.