Wabash College

Department of Religion and Philosophy

Rel. 25: Seminar in Biblical Studies, Fall Semester 1999

"Apocalypse Then, Apocalypse Now"

Prof. Robert M. Royalty, Jr.

Office: Center 200F

email: royaltyr@wabash.edu

phone: 361-6155

Office Hours: MWF 2:00-3:30

Introduction

The aims of this seminar are threefold. The first is to explore the social and narrative worlds of ancient Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature, from its roots in the Hebrew prophets, the Wisdom literature of the Ancient Near East, and Persian dualistic religion, to its major expressions in the biblical Apocalypses of Daniel and Revelation, as well as the lesser known Apocalypses of 1 Enoch and 4 Ezra. The second is to study the history of millenarianism in Western culture, paying particular attention to the interpretation of the Book of Revelation. The third and final aim is to test the effectiveness of different strategies and methodologies within the discipline of Religious Studies for understanding this literature and the communities that produced it, as well as the communities that have continued to read and draw meaning from this literature.

Plan

During the first part of the seminar, we shall examine different critical methods of interpretation, including traditional historical-critical methods as well as newer social-scientific and literary-critical methods. We shall then read through the apocalypses of 1 Enoch, Daniel, Revelation, and 4 Ezra. In the second half, we will turn to "Apocalypse Now," examining the interpretation of Revelation over the first two millennia of the Western Christian world, with special attention to the High Middle Ages, the Protestant Reformation, and the history of the Branch Davidians.

Requirements:

• Attendance, assigned reading and active participation in seminar discussions are of primary importance. Note that assigned readings are to be completed before each session. Please consult with the instructor as soon as possible if you are having difficulty with any aspect of this requirement. (20% of grade)



• Three critical reviews of 3-4 pages. The first two reviews will be on scholarly works and the third review on a web site. For the text reviews, each student will choose two secondary works (for starters see "Further Reading" at the end of the syllabus), one on ancient apocalyptic (due Thurs. Sept. 30^th) and one on more recent apocalyptic or millenarian movements (due Thurs. Nov. 4th) and make a brief (5-10 minutes) class presentation. The web review will also include a class presentation demonstrating the site (due Thurs. Nov. 18th). (30% of grade)

• A seminar paper of 15-20 pages, focusing on a literary or historical question in apocalyptic or millenarian traditions, is due December 14th. Students should begin working on their topic as soon as possible and consult with the instructor early and often on this project. Please note the due dates for a bibliography (Oct. 12th) and precis/outline (Nov. 19th). (50% of grade)

While collaboration on research is in the nature of a seminar (I expect us to discuss our topics, and for you to continue discussion of your topics outside the classroom), all written work done in this course is expected to be your own. Use of primary and secondary sources must be properly documented. Please consult with me or the Reference Librarian if you have any questions about the use of sources or documentation.

Books

The HarperCollins Study Bible with the Apocrypha (NRSV)

John Collins, The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature Course Reader (CR)

Norman Cohn, The Pursuit of the Millennium

Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose

Stuart A. Wright, ed., Armageddon in Waco

Reserve Reading (R) as noted; note especially The Encylopedia of Apocalypticism (EncApoc), in the Lilly Library Reference Section, CALL NUMBER: Ref. BL501 .E53 1998

Outline of the Course

1. Thurs. Aug. 26^th: Introduction to the Course.



2. Tues. Aug. 31^st: Literary Genre: What is an Apocalypse?
1. Reading Assignment:
1. Revelation, Daniel, 4 Ezra (skim)
2. Collins, Apocalyptic Imagination, ch. 1

1. Paul D. Hanson, "Apocalypse, Genre" and "Apocalypticism" in IDBSupp. WABASH REFERENCE -- CALL NUMBER: Ref BS440 .I63 Suppl.

1. Thurs. Sept. 3^rd: The "History of Religions" Approach
1. Reading Assignment:
1. Richard J. Clifford, "The Roots of Apocalypticism in Near Eastern Myth," in EncApoc 1.3-39
2. "Enuma Elish," ANET 60-68, 501-2 (R)
3. Myths of Baal and Yamm, ANET 130-1, 137 (R)
4. Genesis 1-2; Daniel 7; Revelation 12, 20; 4 Ezra 13

1. Tues. Sept. 7^th: Origins of Apocalyptic: Prophecy and Eschatology.
1. Reading Assignment:
1. Paul D. Hanson, "Jewish Apocalyptic against its Near Eastern Environment." Revue Biblique 78 (1971): 38-51 (CR)
2. Gerhard von Rad, "Apocalyptic," in Old Testament Theology, vol. 2. WABASH GENERAL COLLECTION -- CALL NUMBER: BS1192.5 .R3132 (R)
3. Isaiah 40-65, Ezekiel 40-48, Zechariah

1. Thurs. Sept. 9^th: Origins of Apocalyptic: Prophecy and Eschatology II / Library Research Session



2. Tues. Sept. 14^th: Origins of Apocalyptic: Wisdom and Cosmological Speculation.
1. Reading Assignment:
1. 1 Enoch 6-11, 14-20, 72-82 (CR)
2. Collins, Apocalyptic Imagination, Chapter 2
3. Michael E. Stone, Scripture, Sects and Visions, 27-47 (R)

1. Thurs. Sept. 16^th: Origins of Apocalyptic: Crises, Real or Perceived
1. Reading Assignment:
1. A.F.C. Wallace, "Revitalization Movements," in Lessa and Vogt, Reader in Comparative Religion (4th ed.), 421-429 (R)
2. Yonina Talmon, "Pursuit of the Millennium: The Relation Between Religious and Social Change," in Lessa and Vogt, Reader in Comparative Religion (2^nd ed.), 522-37 (R)
3. John Gager, Kingdom and Community, "The Attainment of Millennial Bliss through Myth," 49-57. WABASH GENERAL COLLECTION -- CALL NUMBER: BR166 .G33 (R)



2. Tues. Sept. 21^st: Enoch
1. Reading Assignment:
1. 1 Enoch (CR)
2. Collins, Apocalyptic Imagination, Chap. 6



3. Thurs. Sept. 23^rd: Daniel
1. Reading Assignment:
1. Daniel
2. Collins, Apocalyptic Imagination, Chap. 3



4. Tues. Sept. 28^th: Qumran
1. Reading Assignment:
1. Collins, Apocalyptic Imagination, Chap. 5
2. "The Community Rule" (CR)



5. Thurs. Sept. 30^th: Qumran

First Critical Review Due

1. Thurs. Dec. 2^nd: The Branch Davideans

1. Reading Assignment:
1. Wright, Armageddon in Waco, 3-72

1. Adela Yarbro Collins, "The Political Perspective of the Revelation to John," Journal of Biblical Literature 96 (1977) : 241-256

1. Tues. Dec. 7^th: "Waco: The Inside Story" (Frontline video)
1. Reading Assignment:

1. Wright, Armageddon in Waco, 205-96

1. Thurs. Dec. 9^th: After Waco
1. Reading Assignment:

1. Wright, Armageddon in Waco, 359-78

Seminar Paper Due Dec. 14th.