Eden doesn’t disappear after Genesis 3. In this episode of the Biblical Reenchantment podcast, I sit down with pastor and Two Trees Podcast host John Dillon to talk about his book The Way of Eden—and why the Garden of Eden functions as a theme that keeps shaping the biblical story long after Adam and Eve leave the garden. We’ll trace how Eden imagery shows up in exile, spiritual warfare, and everyday Christian life. What does it mean to resist the darkness without turning our neighbors into enemies? How do “pockets of Eden” form in households, friendships, and local churches? And how does Scripture—like a river in the wasteland—grow resilience in a noisy, unstable world? We also explore dominion vs. dominance, the Bible’s use of tree and river imagery, and why the fruit of the Spirit is part of how Christ’s people bear witness to the kingdom of God right now.

Halloween’s imagery of monsters and giants is linked with Reformation themes through the views of Calvin, Luther, and Zwingli. Calvin, following an Augustinian Sethite reading of Genesis 6:1–4, denied a literal angel–human hybrid origin but described the Nephilim as violent tyrants—both “giant” and “fallen”—preserving their moral and symbolic meaning. Luther used giants and serpents to portray Arian heretics opposing the Trinity, likening them to Israel’s ancient foes and grounding confidence in Christ’s triumph over every power (Psalm 2; Psalm 110; Hebrews 1). Zwingli, more rational and wary of superstition, rejected occult practices and saw idolatry itself as demonic temptation, focusing instead on disciplined obedience to Scripture. Together they held to symbolic readings of giants but often overlooked their supernatural roots in Genesis 6 and 1 Enoch. Yet Scripture unites both realities—the literal and the symbolic—as in Jesus’ walking on water, which shows his authority over chaos. Giants, then, represent real spiritual rebellion and enduring tyranny that resists God’s rule, seen not only in ancient empires like Egypt and Babylon but also in modern powers such as AI or alien ideologies that draw humanity away from devotion to Christ.

Humanity was created for communion with God but became estranged through Adam’s exile from Eden—a spatial and relational separation symbolized by eastward movement away from sacred space. This estrangement, inherited by all humans, frames sin not as the root problem but as the consequence of being spiritual orphans. Redemption is not primarily legal pardon but adoption—restoration to God’s family. Scripture emphasizes that not all are children of God by default; adoption into God's household comes only through faith and rebirth. The gospel begins with the Father's love, not law, and its ultimate aim is not moral improvement but restored relationship—a return home from exile, where humans are no longer the prodigal race but beloved sons and daughters.

The interview with Greg Gordon engages his book An Ancient Worship Movement and explores his journey from evangelical house church movements to embracing liturgical worship through St. Thomas Church, emphasizing the richness of early church practices. The discussion covers sacramental theology, the integration of evangelical zeal with historical liturgy, and the spiritual depth found in ancient worship traditions. Gordon, along with hosts Anthony Delgado (Biblical Reenchantment Podcast) and Brandon Spain (Unrefined Podcast), reflects on the rediscovery of liturgical elements in modern Christian movements, the role of baptism, spiritual warfare, and the importance of unifying evangelical and sacramental expressions of faith. They also discuss the challenges of contemporary liturgical traditions, the need for revival, and the spiritual battle within worship, ultimately encouraging pastors and believers to reclaim a fuller, more historical approach to Christian discipleship.

Website: https://thomasmovement.com

Book: https://amzn.to/3FwZ4k0

Audiobook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwbQQxDiGDQ&list=PLNYHMBbAwLQRTTmQ7NxmjxrUZZhsECRsy

Unrefined Podcast: https://www.unrefinedpodcast.com

Biblical Reenchantment Podcast: https://www.anthonydelgado.net/podcast

This podcast episode explores the Christus Victor model of atonement, emphasizing Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and cosmic powers. We’ll look at the Deuteronomy 32 worldview (and DCW), which describes God assigning divine beings to rule over the nations, many of whom rebelled and led humanity into idolatry. We’ll look at the Divine Council, the Fall of the Watchers, and spiritual warfare, using passages from Deuteronomy, Psalms, Daniel, and other scriptures to illustrate the ongoing conflict between God’s kingdom and fallen powers. The episode highlights Jesus’ triumph over these forces through his crucifixion and resurrection, the implications for believers, and the eschatological hope of Christ’s ultimate reign.

In this episode, Cody and Anthony discuss the urgency of the Great Commission: proclaiming Jesus as King. They’ll examine how the Kingdom Gospel challenges us beyond simply ‘believing’ to actively bringing the nations under Jesus’s rule through discipleship. They also unpack what it means to center the Gospel on Jesus’s Kingship, explore the story of the criminals on the cross, and consider how this Kingdom-centered approach gives profound meaning and purpose to the Great Commission.

In this episode, Cody and Anthony discuss Jesus's kingship as ‘The Anointed One’ or Messiah. We’ll explore how Jesus fulfills the messianic expectations of the Old Testament, taking on the role of both divine Lord and Davidic King. We'll also unpack the significance of Jesus being called ‘the Christ,’ the weight of his authority over all creation, and how this title shapes our understanding of who Jesus is.

In this episode, Cody and Anthony discuss the concept of refugees in the Bible, exploring how the Bible portrays believers as spiritual refugees who leave behind the Kingdom of the World to seek shelter and citizenship in the Kingdom of God, where we will find some profound implications of God’s refuge, the scriptural background for this idea, and what it truly means to live as a refugee in Christ’s Kingdom.