The courses offered here examine the historical, cosmological, and theological assumptions that shaped the development of the Old and New Testaments during the Second Temple Period.

Instruction is delivered through reading notes, recorded lectures, guided discussion, and recommended texts.

Students may proceed through the curriculum at their own pace.

Purpose

The Bible was written within a particular understanding of reality.

Its authors assumed a cosmology, a view of history, a conception of ordered time, and an understanding of divine rule that differ markedly from those of modern readers.

The purpose of this programme is to examine those assumptions directly through the study of primary sources and contemporary scholarship.

Commencing Study

Students beginning for the first time should proceed to:

Readings → IBC: Introduction to Biblical Cosmology

and then complete the assigned reading notes and lectures in sequence.

Current Areas of Study

• Biblical Cosmology

• Second Temple Judaism

• The Dead Sea Scrolls

• Divinely-Ordered Time and Prophecy

• Ancient Near Eastern Backgrounds

No prior theological training is required. Only a willingness to engage seriously with the evidence and follow the argument wherever it leads.

Metaphysical History delivers instruction through a combination of reading notes, recorded lectures, and guided discussion.

Students may proceed through the curriculum at their own pace.

Course Structure

Each course is divided into weekly units of study.

A typical unit consists of:

• One reading note

• One lecture

• One discussion prompt

The reading note introduces the topic, key concepts, primary sources, and recommended scholarship.

The lecture develops the material in greater depth and provides additional analysis and commentary.

Discussion prompts provide an opportunity for reflection, debate, and further investigation.

Recommended Sequence

Students are encouraged to complete each unit in the following order:

1. Read the assigned Reading Note.

2. Watch the corresponding Lecture.

3. Review any recommended readings.

4. Participate in discussion where appropriate.

5. Proceed to the next unit.

While discussion is encouraged, it is not required for successful completion of a course.

Reading Notes

Reading Notes serve as the foundation of each unit.

They provide historical context, identify important themes, introduce primary sources, and direct students toward significant scholarship.

Students should complete the Reading Note before viewing the lecture whenever possible.

Lectures

Lectures expand upon the material presented in the Reading Notes.

They are designed to provide a structured treatment of the topic and may include additional examples, historical context, and source analysis.

Lectures are organised by course code and week number.

Discussion

Discussion takes place through the publication chat and comment system for the time being.

Questions, observations, and disagreements are welcome provided they remain relevant to the subject under discussion.

Workload

The programme is designed for independent study.

Students should expect to devote approximately one to three hours to each unit depending upon reading speed, prior knowledge, and level of engagement with the recommended sources.

Completion

There are no examinations, assignments, grades, or certificates.

The purpose of the programme is the disciplined study of the sources and ideas under consideration.

Students may complete courses at whatever pace is appropriate to their circumstances.

The list will be expanded as additional courses are added to the curriculum.

Core Texts

Michael Heiser

The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible

A highly accessible introduction to the divine council, spiritual beings, and the supernatural worldview that underlies the biblical text.

Margaret Barker

Temple Theology: An Introduction

An overview of Barker's influential reconstruction of First Temple traditions and their enduring significance for Judaism and early Christianity.

Biblical Cosmology

Crispin Fletcher-Louis

Jesus Monotheism (Volume 1) Christological Origins: The Emerging Consensus and Beyond

A major scholarly study demonstrating that the earliest Christian belief in Jesus' divinity emerged from existing Second Temple Jewish temple traditions rather than from later Greek or pagan influences.

Andrei Orlov

Dark Mirrors

An exploration of priestly, angelic, and visionary traditions in Second Temple Judaism, with particular attention to Enochic and Adamic figures.

Second Temple Judaism

John J. Collins

Beyond the Qumran Community: The Sectarian Movement of the Dead Sea Scrolls

A detailed examination of the origins, beliefs, and historical development of the sectarian movement responsible for the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Loren T. Stuckenbruck

The Myth of Rebellious Angels

A comprehensive study of the Watchers tradition and its central role in shaping Second Temple Jewish understandings of evil, judgment, and cosmic rebellion.

Brian Godawa

The Spiritual World of Ancient Israel and Greece

An accessible treatment of a variety of topics relevant to the Second Temple worldview and the cultural influences upon it.

Dead Sea Scrolls

Peter Flint & James C. VanderKam

The Dead Sea Scrolls After Fifty Years (Volumes I & II)

A substantial scholarly collection surveying the history, contents, interpretation, and significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

James C. VanderKam

The Dead Sea Scrolls Today

The standard introductory guide to the discovery, contents, and historical importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

John J. Collins

Apocalypticism in the Dead Sea Scrolls

An analysis of the apocalyptic worldview of the Qumran community and its expectations concerning history, judgment, and the end of the age.

Ancient Near Eastern Backgrounds

Mary R. Bachvarova

From Hittite to Homer: The Anatolian Background of the Ancient Greek Epic

A groundbreaking study tracing the influence of Anatolian and Near Eastern literary traditions upon the development of early Greek epic.

Doug Van Dorn

Giants: Sons of the gods

An accessible introduction to the Genesis 6 rebellion, tracing the traditions of the Watchers, the Nephilim, and the giant clans through the literature of Second Temple Judaism.

Essenian Judaism

Simon J. Joseph

Jesus, the Essenes, and Christian Origins: New Light on Ancient Texts and Communities

A fresh reassessment of the relationship between the Essenes, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the origins of the Jesus movement.

Lester L. Grabbe

An Introduction to Second Temple Judaism: History and Religion of the Jews in the Time of Nehemiah, the Maccabees, Hillel, and Jesus

A reliable survey of the history, institutions, beliefs, and diversity of Judaism during the Second Temple period.

John J. Collins

The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature

The standard introduction to Jewish apocalyptic thought, literature, symbolism, and its influence on early Christianity.

Christian Origins

James H. Charlesworth

Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls

A collection of essays exploring the historical and theological relationship between Jesus, early Christianity, and the world reflected in the Dead Sea Scrolls.

John J. Collins & Craig A. Evans

Christian Beginnings and the Dead Sea Scrolls

An examination of how the Dead Sea Scrolls illuminate the beliefs, practices, and intellectual environment of the earliest Christians.

John Bergsma

Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls: Revealing the Jewish Roots of Christianity

An accessible study connecting key themes in the Dead Sea Scrolls to the beliefs, practices, and theological foundations of early Christianity.

This page is intended as a guide for further study and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of every conclusion reached by the authors listed.

No.

The courses are designed for interested readers, independent scholars, pastors, teachers, and students. No formal background in theology, biblical studies, or history is assumed.

Do I need to complete courses in order?

No.

Students may begin with any course that interests them.

However, newcomers are encouraged to begin with IBC: Introduction to Biblical Cosmology, as it introduces many of the concepts and methods used throughout the curriculum.

How are courses delivered?

Courses are delivered through a combination of Reading Notes, recorded Lectures, and guided Discussion.

Students may complete the material at their own pace.

Are lectures live?

No.

Lectures are pre-recorded and may be viewed at any time.

Is participation in discussion required?

No.

Discussion is provided as an opportunity for further reflection, clarification, and debate, but participation is entirely optional.

How much time should I expect to spend on a course?

This will vary according to the student and the subject matter.

As a general guide, students should expect to spend between one and three hours per unit, including reading, lectures, and optional discussion.

Are there assignments or examinations?

No.

Metaphysical History is intended as a programme of independent study. There are no examinations, essays, grades, certificates, or formal assessments.

Will I receive a certificate upon completion?

No.

The purpose of the programme is the disciplined study of the subject matter rather than formal accreditation.

What texts are required?

No text is required for purchase. Recommended texts are listed in the Student Orientation section of the site as well as within the Reading Notes and Lectures.

All required reading will be included within the weekly Reading Notes.

What is the difference between Reading Notes and Lectures?

Reading Notes introduce the topic, key concepts, sources, and scholarship.

Lectures develop the material in greater depth through explanation, analysis, and commentary.

Students are encouraged to complete the Reading Note before viewing the corresponding Lecture.

Can I study at my own pace?

Yes.

All material remains available within the archive, allowing students to proceed according to their own schedule.

How do I access subscriber-only material?

There is no subscriber-only material on Metaphysical History. All study materials are open to anyone free of charge. Donations via the subscription option on Substack are, however, appreciated.

Can I suggest future topics or courses?

Yes.

Suggestions may be made through discussion threads, comments, or publication chat.

While not every suggestion can be accommodated, student feedback is welcomed and considered when planning future courses.

Who teaches the courses?

Courses are prepared and presented by David Hilton, PhD.

Further information may be found in the Student Orientation section.

How do I begin?

Students new to the programme should begin by visiting the Curriculum section and selecting a course of study.

For most students, the recommended starting point is:

IBC: Introduction to Biblical Cosmology

He holds a PhD in Education and is the author of The Great Year of Man: Celestial Order in Biblical Cosmology.

His courses seek to reconstruct the worldview of the biblical writers through the study of primary sources, historical context, and contemporary scholarship.