Jewish Apocalyptic Literature (BA9020Y)

Postgraduate, 24.0 points

Content

This unit studies Jewish Apocalyptic Literature that provides important background for concepts found in New Testament writings. The unit focusses on the books of Daniel and 1 Enoch. It examines the historical context of the authors and how it relates to their key themes such as the origin of evil; demons and angels; the calendar; the notion that history is moving towards an end; that a Messiah will appear; that the wicked will be destroyed and the righteous rewarded, post-mortem if necessary.

Unit code: BA9020Y

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Old Testament

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Yarra Theological Union

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Learning outcomes

1.

Demonstrate familiarity with the views of scholars as to the origins and characteristics of apocalyptic literature
2.

Explain how the major themes that appear in 1 Enoch, Daniel and other texts relate to the political, social, economic and religious worlds of their time
3.

Exegete passages from apocalyptic texts with the aid of scholarly commentaries
4.

Evaluate the theological significance of the texts studies in this unit
5.

Analyse the sources upon which the apocalyptic writers drew and the interpretive tools they used in the construction of their works
6.

Evaluate the similarities and differences between 1 Enoch and Daniel and assess whether they came from the same group

Unit sequence

Successfully completed one biblical unit at undergraduate or post-graduate level.

Pedagogy

Lectures, tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Collins, J. J. Apocalypticism in the Dead Sea Scrolls. London and New York: Routledge, 1997. (recommended for purchase)
  • Collins, J. J. Daniel. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 1993.
  • Goldingay, J. E. Daniel. WBC 30. Waco, TX: Thomas Nelson, 1989.
  • Helyer, L. R. Exploring Jewish Literature of the Second Temple Period: A Guide for New Testament Students. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity, 2002.
  • Newsom, C. A., and B. Breed. Daniel. A Commentary. OTL. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2014.
  • Nickelsburg, G. W. E., and J. C. VanderKam. 1 Enoch. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2012.
  • Nickelsburg, G. W. E. 1 Enoch. Hermeneia. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2001.
  • Portier-Young, A. E., and J. J. Collins. Apocalyptic Against Empire: Theologies of Resistance in Early Judaism. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2014.
  • Rowland, C. The Open Heaven: A Study of Apocalyptic in Judaism and Early Christianity. London: SPCK, 1982.
  • Russell, D. S. The Method and Message of Jewish Apocalyptic, 200BC–AD 100. London: SCM, 1964.
  • Seow, C. L. Daniel. WC. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2003. (recommended for purchase)
  • Vanderkam, J. C. Enoch and the Growth of an Apocalyptic Tradition. CBQMS. Washington, DC: Catholic Biblical Association of America, 1984.
  • Wright, B. G., and L. M. Wills, eds. Conflicted Boundaries in Wisdom and Apocalypticism. Atlanta, GE: SBL, 2005. (recommended for purchase)

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Exegetical Essay

1000 word exegetical essay

 0 20.0
Essay

4000 word essay

 0 60.0
Exegetical Essay

1000 word exegetical essay

 0 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 19 Oct, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-04-13 14:03:09 +1000