The scope of our examination of the ideas and beliefs of the Qumran sect and the Church of the New Testament is limited to what contributes to our understanding of the nature of the respective communities. No attempt is made to present a full theological examination of the concepts which arise. The aim is not an exhaustive treatment, but rather to suggest areas where the beliefs of the communities throw light on each other. Our method is to begin by establishing the beliefs of the Qumran sect in each case, with particular reference to the Manual of Discipline, and then comparing this with the corresponding concept in the New Testament. This avoids the danger of reading back later Christian ideas into our treatment of the Scrolls. In our examination of the New Testament texts, we shall not assume that they constitute a unity nor that they can be taken at face value, but that they bear the marks of the interests of the early Church and of the conflicting tendencies and practices which marked its development. Consequently the tools of Form, Source and Redaction Criticism are utilized where they can contribute to our purpose. Chapter 1, p. vi.

Thesis (MPhil (Ancient Studies))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / This thesis seeks to investigate the possible influence of Iranian apocalyptic on the Judaean apocalyptic literature, which was widely disseminated in the Near East during the Hellenistic and Roman phases of the Second Temple Period (c. 539 BCE- 70 CE). The similarities between Zoroastrianism and Judaism have been the object of scholarly study for more than a century. Iranologists such as Zaehner, Widengren and Boyce were particularly partial to the notion that Zoroastrianism influenced Judaism. They felt such influences were an inevitable consequence of the Judaeans living under Achaemenian rule for almost two centuries, and in close proximity of Persian communities for some centuries after the demise of the Achaemenid Empire. They based their conclusions on literary parallels between some key biblical passages and Persian literature, linguistic evidence and the obviously dualistic nature of both religions. Recently, however, this point of view has come in for criticism from biblical scholars like Barr and Hanson, who have pointed out that many seemingly Iranian concepts could as easily have emanated from other Near Eastern influences or evolved from within the Judaean tradition. The similarities between the Iranian and Judaean world-view are particularly apparent when considering the apocalyptic traditions from Zoroastrianism and Judaism: Both traditions view the course of history as a pre-determined, linear process in which good and evil are in constant conflict on both a physical and metaphysical level, until a great eschatological battle, introduced by a “messiah” figure, will rid all creation of evil. A judgment of all humanity and resurrection are envisaged in both traditions, as well as an utopian eternal life free of evil. However, it is very difficult to prove that these two apocalyptic traditions are in any way related, as most of the apocalyptic works from Iran are dated considerably later than the Judaean apocalypses, which mostly originated during the Hellenistic period. The apocalyptic phenomena within the two traditions are also not always entirely similar, raising the possibility that they are indeed not the result of cultural interaction between the Iranians and Judaeans. Furthermore, one must also consider that many phenomena constituting apocalyptic occurred widely during the Second Temple Period in the Ancient Near East, on account of the general state of powerlessness and disillusionment brought about by the Macedonian conquest of the Achaemenid Empire and the resulting political unrest. This study investigates the relations between Judaeans and Iranians under Achaemenian rule, the political and religious background and apocalyptic traditions of both these peoples in an attempt to ascertain whether Iranian beliefs did indeed influence Judaean apocalypticism. These investigations will show that, given the cultural milieu of the Ancient Near East in the Second Temple period, contemporary Greek evidence of Zoroastrian beliefs and the interpretative bent of Judaean scribal and priestly classes, there is a strong likelihood that seemingly Iranian concepts in Judaean apocalypticism were indeed of Iranian origin.

Apocalypse is one of the major motifs of Jewish-Christian civilization. The Book of Daniel represents a vital status in understanding the Jewish apocalypse. After summarizing the scholarship on The Book of Daniel and Jewish Apocalypse, I adopt a "intertextual hypothesis" approach to connect the Book of Daniel, Jewish Apocalypse and modern films in order to expand the horizons of discussion and interpretation. / In the thesis I will introduce the current biblical scholarship on Bible and Film, and by using "intertextual hypothesis", I will interpret from different aspects the apocalyptic thoughts in the film entitled <the Second Renaissance>. I will arrive at several points of new understanding of both the theme of "dualism" in Dan.7 and the much discussed area of the origin of Jewish Apocalypse. / This thesis aims at discussing the effect modern films has on our understanding of Daniel 7 and Jewish apocalypse. The main argument of this thesis is that the ancient Jewish apocalyptic thoughts (especially those in Dan. 7) can obtain a richer interpretation by the participation of modern film arts. / 叶洛夫. / Adviser: Archie C. C. Lee. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-03, Section: A, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 91-112). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in Chinese and English. / Ye Luofu.

Background: This thesis aims to show that the narratives of the Nag Hammadi Apocalypse of Pauland First Apocalypse of James are written for a Valentinian audience. The purpose is to broaden the field of research on Valentinianism by showing how the authors and their implied readers composed and perceived the texts in question. Method: Comparing the mythological language of the two narratives and their description of a hero’s journey in a transcendent reality it is possible to disentangle the Valentinian material from the imaginative world of the reader, a world consisted of ancient Egyptian and Greek mythology as well as Jewish apocalypticism and early Christian legends and traditions. The texts are also compared with new research in the field, other related Valentinian scriptures, the New Testament, and Christian Apocrypha. Results: The texts are pseudepigraphic and written within a Jewish apocalyptic genre sometime during the late second or early third century. The symbolism and the diverse metaphors of the narratives indicate that the texts incorporate a specific soteriological message through embedded Valentinian mythology. The implied reader is to understand that the material world is an illusion and that the purpose of the initiate is to awaken the mind and acquire knowledge about the truth. By doing so the redemption of the believer’s spirit from its human body and soul leads to the spirits reunion with God. Conclusion: The analysis of the texts points toward the fact that the narratives could very well have been used for catechetical or other educational purposes within a Valentinian community. The language and form of the two narratives fit to serve this purpose. In many ways, the reader has to be initiated within a Valentinian context in order to grasp the intended message. / <p>Godkännande datum 2019-06-10</p>

Thesis (M. Div.)--Emmanuel School of Religion, Johnson City, Tennessee, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-92).

Thesis (M. Div.)--Emmanuel School of Religion, Johnson City, Tennessee, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-92).

Thesis (M. Div.)--Emmanuel School of Religion, Johnson City, Tennessee, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-92).

Submitted by Noeme Timbo (noeme.timbo@metodista.br) on 2017-06-14T19:33:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Carlos Eduardo.pdf: 931719 bytes, checksum: c8685a26426d27f1d8bac31a50d52878 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-14T19:33:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carlos Eduardo.pdf: 931719 bytes, checksum: c8685a26426d27f1d8bac31a50d52878 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-21 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The research that follows seeks to present a mapping of a tradition developed over many centuries in the apocalyptic writings of Christianity: The accounts of travel description to the Other-World, more specifically, to Hell. Initially we tried to draw a line starting from the origins of this tradition, in classical Greek texts, through the Jewish Apocalypse of the Second Temple, through Primitive Christianity and making references to some works of the Middle Ages, in order to demonstrate, once more, that the importance of the theme made him gain breath in this period too. We highlight some important concepts such as the apocalyptic genre and some striking features of the reports of journeys of hell. We define some theoretical bases that are relevant to all research, such as the importance they have for a significant study of the formation of the religious imaginary of Primitive Christianity, from sources such as apocryphal writings. In a second moment, we turn to the analysis of one of the primitive sources in which, in the second century of Christianity, reports of a description of Hell appeared in a guided journey in which condemned sinners and their feathers were described: The Apocryphal Acts of the Apostle Philip. Finally, we analyze two contemporary sources in which, we argue, there was reception of the theme of the journeys to Hell and in which are laid common characteristics in relation to continuity and rupture with the oldest writings, revealing the importance of the theme for crossing centuries of history of the Christianity, being assumed, reread and re-signified by the most diverse readers to the present day. / A seguinte pesquisa busca apresentar um mapeamento de uma tradição desenvolvida ao longo de muitos séculos nos escritos apocalípticos do Cristianismo: Os relatos de descrição de viagens ao Além-Mundo, mais especificamente, ao Inferno. Inicialmente procuramos traçar uma linha que se iniciasse nas origens dessa tradição, em textos clássicos gregos, passando pela Apocalíptica Judaica do Segundo Templo, pelo Cristianismo Primitivo e fazendo referências a algumas obras da Idade Média, a fim de demonstrar, mais uma vez, a importância do tema e como o mesmo ganha fôlego também nesse período. Destacamos alguns conceitos importantes como o de gênero apocalíptico e algumas características marcantes dos relatos de viagens ao inferno. Definimos algumas bases teóricas relevantes a toda a pesquisa, como por exemplo, a importância que têm, para um estudo significativo da formação do imaginário religioso do Cristianismo Primitivo, de fontes como os escritos apócrifos. Num segundo momento, passamos à análise de uma das fontes primitivas na qual, já no segundo século do Cristianismo, surgiram relatos de uma descrição do Inferno em uma jornada guiada em que pecadores condenados e suas penas foram descritas: Os Atos Apócrifos do Apóstolo Felipe. Por fim, analisamos duas fontes contemporâneas em que, defendemos, houve recepção do tema das viagens ao Inferno e nas quais estão postas características comuns em relação de continuidade e ruptura com os escritos mais antigos, revelando a importância do tema por atravessar séculos de história do Cristianismo, sendo assumido, relido e ressignificado por leitores, os mais diversos até os dias de hoje.

M.A. / An explanation of what I will be doing. how I will be doing. it, and why I will be doing this research is given below. The purpose of this subsection is to enable the reader to have greater clarity regarding the overall objectives of the thesis. Chapter 1: "Ezekiel the Tragedian" The objective of chapter 1 is to examine the link between apocalypse and tragedy as genre forms. The work of Ezekiel the Tragedian belongs to the world of both tragedy and apocalypse. Ezekiel, the Hellenistic Jew, was clearly influence by a Hellenistic genre form (namely Greek tragedy) in his work the "Exodus of Moses" (an inter-testamental work based on the Exodus of Moses as mentioned in the Old Testament). Ezekiel the Jew adapts his message towards his Hellenistic audience. The question one asks is "Could John, the Jew, likewise have adapted his message towards his Hellenistic audience? Could John have used Greek drama to communicate his prophetic-apocalyptic message to his Hellenistic audience?". 1.Biermann and I.Grabe, ibid,lff. "The Exodus of Moses" has significant points of comparison with the Revelation of John. These include a vision of a figure seated on a throne in heaven (a typically apocalyptic scene), seven plagues of judgement, a battle involving huge armies, the Exodus account of the deliverance of Israel, and a chorus who sings choral songs. Ezekiel adapts and develops the Biblical narrative and expresses it in the genre of Greek drama. Chapter2: "Tragedy and the Hellenistic World" The objective of chapter 2 is to examine the evidence of tragedy in Hellenistic times. This will include examining the influence of traaedy in the seven cities of Asia Minor to whom John writes, as well as the Jews and their association with the theatre. The popularity of tragedy will be researched. The use of tragedy in the Imperial cult will be also be examined. The question that needs to be asked is "Would John be influenced by Greek drama in his communicating with the seven churches of Asia Minor? And were his audience in the seven cities familiar with Greek drama?" Chapter 3: "The Elements of _Greek Drama in the 126 -v'@ation of John" The objective of chapter 3 is to examine research regarding the Revelation of John and Greek drama. The research shall be discussed in terms of certain features common to Greek drama (for example acts and scenes, the role of the chorus. the structure, the dramatic actors etc). Furthermore, my intention is to show that a number of reputable scholars have noted significant similarities between the Revelation of John and Greek drama, with some even arguing that the Revelation of John is written in the form of a Greek drama. The viewpoint that the Revelation is written in the szenre of Greek tragedy is a respectable viewpoint and has a noteworthy following. Chapter 4: The Form of the Revelation" The form of Revelation will be compared with the form of Greek drama in chapter 4. The purpose is to see whether noteworthy similarities of form exist between the Revelation and Greek drama. Chapter 5: The Function of the Revelation" The cathartic' function of Greek tragedy and the cathartic function of the Revelation will be examined. The question asked is: "does the Revelation have a cathartic function? and if so how does this cathartic function compare with Greek tragedy? Why would the revelation have a cathartic effect?" Chapter 6: "The Throne Scene" The "throne scene" of chapter 4 following is one of the most important scenes in the Revelation of John. "Throne scenes"are popular accounts in both prophetic and apocalyptic writings 63. In this chapter we shall examine the "throne scene" from the viewpoint of Greek drama, so as to see whether it would indeed be possible to communicate a throne scene effectively in Greek drama practice. `Catharsis means "healing" in lavmens terms. This is abundantly clear in the throne scenes of Isaiah and Ezekiel in the Old Testament, as well as an abundance of throne scenes in inter-testamental apocalyptic writings.

Recent scholarship has demonstrated that Matthew's gospel has significantly developed both sapiential and apocalyptic elements within its narrative. Little attention has been paid, however, to the question of how these two features of Matthew's gospel might relate to one another. It is this gap in scholarly literature that the present study is intended to fill, by means of a comparative study with two other texts of mixed genre: 1 Enoch and 4QInstruction. An examination of these texts demonstrates that each is marked by an inaugurated eschatology, within which the revealing of wisdom to an elect group, defined in distinction to the Jewish parent group, serves as the pivotal moment of inauguration. In addition, within 4QInstruction the idea is developed that possession of this revealed wisdom allows the remnant to live in fidelity to the will of the Creator and to the patterns built-in to the original creation. Thus, possession of revealed wisdom facilitates a recovery of creation. These findings provide lines of enquiry that may be brought to Matthew. Three sections of the gospel are examined (chapters 5-7; 11-12; 24-25). It is argued that Jesus is presented as an eschatological figure who reveals wisdom to an elect group. This wisdom cannot be reduced to great moral insight or interpretation of Torah, but is presented as prophetic revelation, happening in eschatological time. It remains the case, however, that Matthew presents it as wisdom and presents Jesus as a sage. More tentatively, it is suggested that creation provides the patterns for the ethical requirements of Jesus' wisdom, thus indicating that the idea of restored creation is also at work in Matthew. The fall of the temple may also be connected in Matthew's narrative to such a restoration, but again, the evidence for this is not clear.