The Kingdom of God (Dan. 4)

There is actually a medical term for Nebuchadnezzar’s condition. It is called "boanthropy" – a term that means "a person who thinks that he is a cow."

Once upon a time (way back in the rationalist 20th century) commentators had to assure readers that such things really can happen.

But in our day of identity politics, we are not surprised anymore when someone has some sort of "body dysmorphia" and they think that they are (or should be) someone or something else!

Of course, in the ancient world, there are all sorts of stories like this – suggesting that such afflictions have always been with us – they have just been interpreted and explained in all sorts of different ways.

There is no other record of Nebuchadnezzar’s madness – but then again, ancient kings tended not to appreciate negative publicity – and even after his death, Nebuchadnezzar remained a powerful and influential symbol, so it is not surprising that no other record remains....