The Book of Revelation, BSNT 349 A Pastoral Study of the Reign of the Ascended Christ Daniel J. Dyke Cincinnati Christian University Fall Semester 2013 (513) 244-6055 dan.dyke@ccuniversity.edu Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. (Rev 1:3) COURSE DESCRIPTION: A careful exegesis of the text of the book of Revelation keeping the practical purpose of the book always in view. These two descriptions form the basis of the approach taken to the text in this class. The first one emphasizes the need for the reader to encounter the text in a substantive way. The second challenges the person to use the book responsibly in developing a Christian world view. In this encounter the following will be emphasized: 1. The Literary/Linguistic Aspects of the Text: The assumption is that the student has either had hermeneutics and hopefully either a course in Greek or the Biblical Language Tools. Words are symbols and as symbols they evoke the ideas that the author wishes to express. The problem is that the language is highly symbolic and employs cryptic metaphors. 2. The Historical/Cultural Aspects of the Text: The text came out of the infancy of Christianity during the late first century. This new religion was experiencing persecution at the hands of the Roman government and certain Jewish factions. It was also undergoing growth pains from internal conflict within its members. 3. Theological Concerns Engulfing the Text: The text has its own theological concerns which are of primary importance, but since the modern reader stands at a distance from the original situation he must also contend with the diverse and intense theological reflection that has transpired as history has moved along. Time has burdened the reader with diverse views on how to read the text and what it means today. 4. Spiritual Concerns: The primary concern of the professor is to instill within the student the desire to be the person that faces evil by being the saint that the text describes as being a good and faithful person. A person who will and does enter God's presence in eternity. In this course the student will be confronted with the hermeneutical question of how one understands and legitimately uses an ancient book in a modern context. OBJECTIVES: It is the desire of the professor that the student who has applied himself should be able... 1. to understand the issues concerning the structural issues of the book. 2. to describe how Revelation is both a new and old apocalyptic writing.
3. to deal responsibly with difficult texts. 4. to describe the cultural setting from which the book emerged 5. to challenge existing theories of interpretation as to their merit and to begin to develop his own theological understanding of the text. 6. to use the book in a pastoral setting. 7. to describe what it means to be a Christian of true integrity and faithfulness in an evil age. 8. to enjoy the book as a marvelous piece of literature. TEXTBOOK: Arnold, Clinton E., ed. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary. Vol. 4. ASSIGNMENTS AND DUE DATES NOTEBOOK: (40%) The student will compile a notebook (3 ring binder) on introductory matters in the course. It will include answers to study questions, journal reviews, and a study of the church at Pergamum. Questions: The student will write answers to these questions. Sources should be indicated for the answers. Multiple sources enhance the value of this project. 1. There is a debate as to when the book was written. Was it during the time of Domitian or Nero? What are the reasons given for and against these dates? How did these emperors treat the Christians and what did they do to offend the Christians? 2. John was exiled to Patmos. Where was it? What are the two views (relagatio & exilium) of his treatment there? Include a map showing the location of Patmos and the seven churches to which John ministered. 3. There is a debate concerning the identity of John. Give the options and the quotes from church history for each view. Hint: Use the web to cut & paste. 4. Millennial Views: a. Amillennialism b. Postmillennialism c. Historic Premillennialism d. Dispensational Premillennialism 5. Tribulation Views a. Continuous/Punctuated Tribulation b. Pre-Tribulation Rapture c. Mid-Tribulation Rapture d. Post-Tribulation Rapture 6. The student should read the book and list the attributes/qualities that are used to describe God. 7. Find and list all the explicit statements about Hell, who will go there and how long they will stay. There are differences between words and phrases for eternity. Eternal first of all deals with the quality of something. When used with time it deals with something age long and the thing itself determines the nature of the age. It definitely means forever if it is the phrase unto the
ages of the ages. 8. Make a list of all the sins found in the book. Note whether the practice of them will bar you from eternal life. The Apocalypse of Peter was emailed to your school account. Compare John's account with the pseudepigraphical one. 9. List all the explicit statements about the nature of a saint. 10. Find all the angels in Revelation and tell what they do and how they are described. 11. List all the things Revelation tells us to do or describes the true believer as doing in Revelation. 12. Why is overcome (nika,w/nikao) one of the most important words in Revelation? What would be the cultural implications for someone living in the Roman empire? Check the textbook on these texts: 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 2; 5:5; 6:2; 11:7; 12:11; 13:7; 15:2; 17:14; 21:7. 13. Give three different explanations of Babylon the Great. 14. What were the characteristics of apocalyptic literature? What books of the Bible contain apocalyptic material? Give an example from each. Which characteristic makes Revelation sound different and why? 15. Apocalyptic Books: The student will read one of the pieces of apocalyptic literature found at : http://wesley.nnu.edu/sermons-essays-books/noncanonical-literature/noncanonical-literatureapocryphal-nt-apocalypse/. The Apocalypse of Peter cannot be used for this one. Look for the following things, assuming they are discussed: a. What were the evils to which the writer objected? b. Who were the enemies? c. What constituted a saint? d. What were the rewards of the saints and those of the wicked? e. What must take place before the final judgment? f. Is there a Satan? g. What is heaven like? What is hell like? Essay & Chart: The student will write an analysis of the church at Pergamum. Use the structural analysis chart provided in class. Journal Articles: The student will read seven journal articles on anything dealing with Revelation or eschatology. This would include issues of exegesis, theology, or cultural background. For help finding articles contact either Scott Lloyd or my graduate assistant. These will be included in the student's backgrounds notebook. The review should contain a summary of the article and the significant facts the student learned from it that affect the interpretation of the text. GRADE COMPUTATION 55-59 = D- 60-65 = D 66-69 = D 70-74 = C- 75-79 = C 80-83 = C+ 84-86 = B- 87-90 = B
91-100 = B+ TESTS (60%) Midterm Test: Revelation 1-11 Final Test: Revelation 12-22 TERM PAPER AGENDA To receive a grade higher than a B+ the student must write a 12 page paper on one of the listed topics. The paper will be assigned a value of 1-3. A one raises the grade average by one part of a letter grade, a two by two levels, and a three by three levels. A one would move a B to a B+. 1.The Problem of the Rule of the Saints with Christ and the Healing of the Nations 2.The New Israel in Revelation: Jewish or Christian 3.Subordinate Evil: Good Angels vs. Bad Angels 4.Theodicy: Revelation as Job's Complement Weeks 1-3: Defining Terms and Issues Weeks 4-14: Engaging the Text Weeks 15: Forming Views DISABILITY SERVICES Students who require academic accommodations due to any documented physical, psychological, or learning disability should request assistance from the Academic Support Director within the first two weeks of class. The Academic Support Office is located in the lower level of the Worship and Ministry Building (room 153). You may also contact the office by phone (244-8420). CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR Anything that distracts others or detracts from the learning experience is forbidden. Common sense would indicate that this includes: listening to music, talking, texting, intentionally making noise, sleeping. DRESS CODE Attention is usually not paid to what a student wears, BUT if the attire is against the school rules then it is against the rules. What I allow in my class is not necessarily what is allowed in another teacher s class. Dress each day according to the strictest dress code of the day, which would include the hallway. More important than what we wear is how we wear it.
LEGAL MATTERS The tests and assignments listed may be modified in the sense that the professor may choose to change the due date or cancel the assignment or test completely. Assignments may be changed/ replaced if in the evaluation of the teacher the assignment is defective. In any event the new assignment will be equal in difficulty and value to the one being replaced. The professor does not guarantee that all listed topics will be covered. Papers will be returned at the professor's discretion. Final tests will not be returned. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate all discussions of grades and evaluation with the professor. If a grade is to be contested, it must be done before 5:00 P.M. on the Friday of the first week of the following semester. N grades that are not resolved by that date will be credited as D- grades. ATTENDANCE Students are expected to attend all class sessions. If you have special circumstances that will require you to be late, you must inform the school or the professor ahead of the scheduled class time.