The Book of Revelation
What you'll learn
- How to study the Book of Revelation from an Ancient perspective.
- Study Revelation in reference to the Hebrew Scriptures.
- Gain an understanding of Revelation that's less tradition and more authentic.
- Understand how the Book of Revelation relates to the rest of Scripture.
Requirements
- Basic Bible knowledge
Description
There are numerous reasons why the Book of Revelation is challenging, or even more harmful because this last book of the New Testament can lead to incorrect understanding that is contrary to its meaning.
First, Revelation is composed in an ancient style of apocalyptic literature, which means that a literal understanding will often be incorrect.
Second, Revelation draws deeply from the Hebrew Scriptures with allusions that the people of ancient Israel would have “heard”. If you are not steeped in the Hebrew Scriptures, then you will likely draw conclusions based on your own tradition and experiences rather than on those of the ancient Israelites.
Third, the author of Revelation draws deeply from the prophet Daniel whose composition is also largely composed as apocalyptic literature and which includes many references to ancient Jewish history and traditions.
Finally, Revelation employs linguistic devices that are found throughout the Hebrew Scriptures such as imagery, symbolism, and chiasm, as well as Hebrew concepts like an understanding of the birthright and the remnant, and the Hebraic sense of time (which may no be linear) and place (that may not be specific).
There are twelve video lessons. Each is accompanied by a study guide with supplementary information, an outline of the video presentation, words to be defined, questions for comprehension, and questions for discussion.
Who this course is for:
- Those who want to study the Book of Revelation on a deeper level.
Instructor
Dr. Anne Davis is a professor of Biblical Studies who enjoys working with graduate students to enhance their exegetical skills for exploring the depth of Scripture. She writes, "The passion of my life is searching the Scriptures for the infinite nature of God. I am always pursuing some biblical topic that catches by curiosity, like the little monkey Curious George. The resulting research invariably shapes my college lectures and ultimately leads to publication."
Current Career Activity: Executive Director of BibleInteract, Inc. • Professor of Biblical Studies, Trinity Southwest University, Albuquerque, NM. • Author, Lecturer, Speaker
Education: Ph.D., M.A. Trinity Southwest University • M.A. San Diego State University • B.A. Connecticut College
Sample Publications: “Israel’s Inheritance: Birthright of the Firstborn Son,” Chafer Seminary Journal 13/1 (2008): 79-94. • “Allegorically Speaking in Galatians 4:31-5:1,” Bulletin for Biblical Research 14/2 (2004): 161-174. • Numerous papers presented to the Society of Biblical Literature including “Divorce and the New Testament: Midrash in Matthew 19:3-12,” Paper presented at SBL Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, 2006: "The Birth of Biblical Israel," Paper presented at SBL International Meeting, Capetown, South Africa, 2000.