Exegesis of New Testament Apocalyptic Texts

The course introduces the student to the genre of apocalyptic literature and examines the historical and literary context within which it was conceived and took shape, as well as its theological significance. More specifically the beginnings of apocalyptic literature and its historical, political and religious context will be discussed. Various apocalyptic texts of the New Testament will be exegetically approached by making use of the tools of historical criticism. The question how early Christianity appropriated this genre in order to understand its existence in the historical continuum will also be addressed. Finally, the significance of such text for the contemporary Church will be examined.

Objectives

After the successful completion of the course the students will be able to: - To recognize texts that belong to the genre of apocalyptic literature and to trace major features of the genre in them - To relate particular historical condition that caused the production of such texts and to compare these texts in order to highlight similarities and difference about which they will then make speculations - To trace theological motifs/themes in these texts and to explain their origins, the history of tradition and the worldview they reflect - To make associations with contemporary situations and to ask for the possible influence that such texts exercised and are still exercising on human imagination and worldview

Prerequisites

not available

Syllabus

Detailed schedule of the course 1st session Apocalypticism and its literature: definition and main features 2nd session The origins of apocalyptic literature. Historical context and theological content 3rd session Jewish apocalyptic texts contemporary to the NT and early Christianity 4th session Apocalypticism and Qumran 5th session Jesus as the Son of Man 6th meeting Μk 13 and its parallels 7th meeting Apocalypticism and Paul 8th session 2 Thess 2 9th session The Book of Revelation I 10th session The Book of Revelation II 11th session The Book of Revelation III 12th session 2 Pe 1, 16 - 2, 10 13th session The significance of apocalyptic texts today