Winter 2014/Pasadena
NE567
Lee
NE567: REVELATION (ENGLISH TEXT). Yongbom Lee.
DESCRIPTION: This course is an exegetical investigation into the English text of Revelation. Emphasis will be given to the historical context of Revelation, its rhetorical strategy and theological themes, with a particular focus on its apocalyptic nature and its challenge and relevance for the church today.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Throughout the history of Christian church, Revelation has been one of the most difficult New Testament books to interpret, thus, frequently misunderstood and misused by many exegetes. This course carefully examines its historical, socio-cultural, rhetorical, and literary context in order to increase the student’s ministerial competence by engaging him or her in both exegetical analysis and theological reflection. This course particularly highlights Revelation as a book about Christian discipleship and focuses the critical role that its apocalyptic eschatology plays in the formulation of theological ethics and social awareness.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of the course, students will have demonstrated: (1) an understanding of the genre of apocalyptic literature (Assignment #2); (2) an understanding of the background, occasion, and content of Revelation (Assignment #4–6); (3) an acquaintance with the major critical issues involved in the interpretation of Revelation (Assignment #4–6); (4) insightful hermeneutical and theological reflection on Revelation relevant to today’s Christian leadership (Assignment #1 and 3).
COURSE FORMAT: Lecture and discussion. Course meets once a week for three-hour sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
The English text of Revelation in one of the following three modern translations—the NRSV, the TNIV, or the CEB—and the ESV and the Message translation; Revelation in both the ESV and the Message (for purchase or accessible freely online, e.g., http://biblegateway.com).
1 Enoch 37–71 (“The Similitudes of Enoch”) from George W. E. Nickelsburg and James C. VanderKam, 1 Enoch: The Hermeneia Translation. Fortress, 2012. ISBN: 978-0800699109, Pub. Price $18.00 [170 pp.]; alternatively, R. H. Charles’s version accessible freely online at http://earlyJewishwritings.com
One Article from Richard B. Hays and Stefan Alkier (eds.), Revelation and the Politics of Apocalyptic Interpretation. Baylor University Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-1602585614, Pub. Price $49.95 [25 pp.]. This book will be on Fuller Library Reserve.
Blount, Brian K. Revelation: A Commentary. WJK, 2009. ISBN: 978-0664221218, Pub. Price $50.00 [426 pp.].
Scholer, David M. “Breaking the Code: Interpretive Reflections on Revelation,” Evangelical Review of Theology (2001) 25.4:304–17. (Available online through Moodle eReserves).
RECOMMENDED READING:
Boxall, Ian. The Revelation of Saint John (Black’s New Testament Commentaries 18). Hendrickson, 2006. ISBN: 978-0801045707, Pub. Price $30.00.
González, Catherine Gunsalus and Justo L. González, Revelation (Westminster Bible Companion) Westminster John Knox, 1997. ISBN: 978-0664255879, Pub. Price $25.00.
Krodel, Gerhard. Revelation (Augsburg Commentary on the New Testament). Augsburg, 1989. ISBN: 0806688800, Pub. Price $18.25.
Osborne, Grant R. Revelation. Baker, 2002. ISBN: 978-0801022999, Pub. Price $54.99.
Witherington, Ben III. Revelation .Cambridge University Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0521000680, Pub. Price $29.99.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Weekly theological reflection journal (20%)
A 3–5 page paper that compares and contrasts Revelation and 1 Enoch 37–71 (10%)
A 3–5 page critical review of one article from Revelation and the Politics of Apocalyptic Interpretation (10%)
A 10–12 page exegesis paper (40%)
Final Take-home Essay Exam (20%)
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Biblical Studies; MDiv/MAT-BS: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.