Nephilim, ancient Near Eastern literature and inspiration

It is well known that ancient Near Eastern literature contains creation myths and stories about the flood etc., etc.  In fact parallels with the sons of God and the Nephilim in Genesis 6:1-4 have deep Mesopotamian roots parallels. Some have accused the Bible of copying this material.  There's no need for believers to be threatened by this, but we do need to understand the connections. It's part of loving the Lord with our mind (Mark 12:30). Let's examine the situation. We saw last day, that the sons of God were part of a council of supernatural created beings in the unseen realm. In the Mesopotamian counterpart they are the apkallus, and they are considered to be gods, not created beings.

In Biblical theology, daemons are fallen angels (Matthew 25:41).  In the Mesopotamian literature, “many apkallus were considered evil; those apkallus are integral to Mesopotamian demonology.  After the flood, offspring of the apkallus were said to be human in descent (i.e., having a human parent) and two-thirds apkallu. In other words, the apkallus mated with human women and produced quasi-divine offspring” (Michale Heiser  'The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible' p 102).  Gilgamesh, the hero of the Epic of Gilgamesh, is said to be a giant. The parallels with  Genesis 6 are unmistakable.

The Genesis account is doing what the Bible does frequently, namely speaking into the surrounding cultures sometimes affirming, sometimes correcting, but always bringing in deeper truths. So here in Genesis, the Bible affirms the existence of spiritual beings in the unseen realm, and of giants who were offspring from a mixed union between the sons of God and humans. But the Mesopotamian apkallus are not gods. In fact there is only on God, all else, in heaven and on earth, are created.

All this is consistent with part of the stated purpose of inspiration, namely that is it useful for teaching truth and for correction (2 Timothy 3:16).  And the application of this passage is not just for those who lived way back when! You have to ask where all the  interest in the occult, Ouija boards, reiki, New Age mysticism etc., etc. comes from?  We are commanded not to learn the destructive behaviours of unbelievers (Deuteronomy 18:9-12). The New Testament affirms the existence of wicked spiritual beings in the unseen realm, and of their influence on humanity (Ephesians 6:12; John 10:10a). We read that Satan is able to transform himself into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14).  And are we not instructed concerning the possibility of you and I entertaining angels manifesting in human form (Hebrews 13:2)?

New Age doctrine for example, like that of the Mesopotamians, is surly a mixture of truth and error.  And it seems to me that the anti-supernatural stance of much of the church has driven those with supernatural giftings, into the arms of New Agers. But we should be very cautious about trusting the so called New Age spirit guides. In fact we are told very clearly not to believe every spirit, but to test them to see if they be of God  (1 John 4:1).

Father, the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy,  but Jesus came that we might have life in all its fullness (John 10:10). But in order to have that life, we need to walk in the light and the truth of Your inspired Word. Please give us grace to do this Lord, and to be as wise as serpents, but as harmless as doves, in Jesus Name Amen