What if the Bible talks about things it doesn’t actually affirm? That’s the question John and J. Harvey Walton explore in their referent/affirmation hermeneutic—a method that seeks to distinguish between what Scripture uses culturally and what it teaches theologically.

In this content-heavy episode, we dig deep into the Waltons' approach, explore strengths and critiques (especially in relation to canonical reading and supernatural conflict), and propose ways to integrate their work into a more theological, Christ-centered, and canonically-aware method of reading.

We’ll examine where this model helps (especially with ancient Near Eastern context), where it struggles (like with canonical coherence and spiritual conflict), and how it interacts with voices like Michael Heiser. Along the way, we’ll ask the hard questions:

- Can a time-bound referent convey timeless truth?

- Does later canonical development affirm what earlier authors left open?

- Are we treating the Bible like a spiritual taxonomy or a wisdom text?

Featuring texts like Genesis 1, Job 26, 1 Samuel 28, and Colossians 2, this episode blends biblical theology, genre awareness, and interpretive humility with a clear desire to hold Scripture’s authority and coherence in tension.

If you’ve wrestled with how the Bible speaks of firmaments, spirits, demons, cosmic powers—or just how to read your Bible with both eyes open—this episode is for you.

On This Rock Biblical Theology Community: https://on-this-rock.com/

Website: [genesismarksthespot.com](http://genesismarksthespot.com/)

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot

Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan

Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/

Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan

00:00:00 Conflict Theology as Time-Bound Context
00:02:48 Minimalist vs Maximalist Hermeneutics
00:04:48 Waltons’ Book on Demons
00:06:03 Heiser: "Danger, Danger John Walton"
00:09:06 Referent vs Affirmation: Genesis and Cosmology
00:11:07 The Core Tension: Cultural Context & Lasting Truth
00:13:11 Defining Referent and Affirmation
00:16:29 Are the Waltons DeMythologizing?
00:18:45 Why Methodology, Not the Model, Is the Problem
00:21:52 Methodology and Canonical vs Minimalist Readings
00:25:03 Dangers of Misreading Referent as Affirmation
00:30:36 Baal, Pharaoh, Accommodation, and Ontology
00:35:11 Canon, Redaction, and Authorial Intent
00:40:20 Beyond “New”: Reaffirming, Recontextualizing, Redeeming
00:44:18 Is Supernatural = Not Scientific?
00:47:49 The Problem of Mapping Ancient Deities Across Time
00:54:18 Affirmation Without Systematizing
00:57:32 Turning It Up to 11