Part Four The Function of Apocalyptic Brent Sandy says that understanding the function of apocalyptic literature is probably the most important thing about it.[1] He says that the main thing is to bring hope in adversity. As he puts it, “The lofty heights of the [rollercoaster] ride – so unlike anything known on this earth – help the persecuted put their misfortunes in perspective.”[2] Sandy describes the six effects of apocalyptic upon the hearers[3]: It creates worshipful awe of the …
Category: Articles
Part Three Some Major Characteristics of Apocalyptic (with Responses) Take up any book on the subject and you will be told that the many features of apocalyptic literature can scarcely if ever be found in one single work. Indeed, a piece of apocalyptic can be absent many of the list of characteristics. Still, it is worth trying to get at the criteria. Brent Sandy has provided a list of eleven characteristics (twelve if one includes pseudonymity) of the genre[1]: I …
This piece is based on transcripts of a lecture I gave on the subject. This lecture on the so-called phenomena of Scripture is necessary because in the modern and postmodern eras it has become more and more common not only to refer to the inspiration of Scripture, which is clearly a biblical doctrine, but to bolster this claim with the assertion of biblical inerrancy; it is perfectly justifiable to think and speak in these terms. Inspiration includes inerrancy and authority requires …
Part Two Going Far Beyond the Bible All of the major advocates of apocalyptic gather data, albeit not exclusively, from outside of the Bible. Brent Sandy demonstrates his procedure of going beyond Scripture when he says, “In order to understand the language of apocalyptic, we must review the period of world history relevant to Daniel 8 and then examine Daniel’s language.”[1] He is not alone. Notice what is entailed in this statement about the genre: Apocalypse was a literary genre …
Part One The ‘Apocalypse’ of John and Picking Sides The first composition to call itself an “apocalypse” was the Book of Revelation, written by the Apostle John circa 95 A.D.[1] “And even there” says Collins, “it is not clear whether the word denotes a special class of literature or is used more generally for revelation.”[2] But right here at the start I believe we are misdirected. John expressly tells us that his book is a “prophecy” (Rev. 1:3; 22:7, …
This is a draft chapter from the forthcoming book ‘The Words of the Covenant’ The purpose of this article is to cast a little doubt upon the generally received view of the reading of biblical apocalyptic literature. As the unique Word of God, the Bible itself is its own interpreter, and much of the edifice of genre criticism and particularly apocalyptic genre is not based on biblical premises, nor should the “apocalyptic” sections of the Bible be read as if …
The Inspiration of Scripture – Part Three N.B. This is a companion piece to the articles on Inspiration “Scripture” usually translates the Greek term graphe. Sometimes, as in 2 Timothy 3:15 one finds hieros grammata, but it is clear that in the context grammata is referring to the Scriptures of verse 16. In other words it is just a synonym. Also, Paul is referring to the Old Testament as a unit – as a whole, and not to the different books of the …
Part Two Let us reproduce the Pache definition: Inspiration is the determining influence exercised by the Holy Spirit on the writers of the Old and New Testament in order that they might proclaim and set down in an exact and authentic way the message as received from God. – Rene Pache, The Inspiration and Authority of Scripture, 45 When one is dealing with Pache’s definition, it is vital to notice that he was speaking very much about the writers, so let’s get …
We have seen that God has revealed Himself to us in two ways, and yet these two ways are really one whole. General Revelation proclaims the existence of the Creator even in a sin-scarred, even though we reject the revelation that is in us and all around us in nature, yet this revelation is clear and authoritative. The testimony of the natural world, though perspicuous in itself, is obscured by our sin and the curse. Special Revelation both interprets General …
Part Four The Unsaved do not know God The NT seems to say that the unsaved person does not know God. We see this in several places. Let us begin with Galatians 4: Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles …
