Source: John J. Collins, The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature, Third Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2016), 1–5.
1' Demystifying Apocalypse.mp4
1. Apocalyptic Imagination - Morphology and Matrix.pdf
This podcast, an introduction to the apocalyptic genre, meticulously examines its definition, historical context, and literary characteristics. It begins by highlighting the scholarly ambivalence towards apocalyptic literature, noting its significance for early Christianity alongside a tendency to avoid its study. The text then delves into the complexities of defining "apocalyptic," distinguishing between it as a literary genre ("apocalypse"), a social ideology ("apocalypticism"), and a set of eschatological (end time) ideas. Furthermore, it traces the historical roots of the genre, exploring potential influences from Babylonian mantic wisdom and Persian eschatology, while ultimately emphasizing its emergence within the broader Hellenistic milieu. Finally, the source analyzes the literary features of apocalypses, contrasting source-critical approaches with the recognition of symbolic language and allusions, and considers the various social and compositional settings that may have shaped these writings.
Mention the word “apocalyptic,” and a familiar set of images comes to mind: doomsday cults, fiery predictions of the end of the world, and fanatical movements preparing for catastrophe. In modern culture, the term has become a synonym for disaster on a global scale. This popular understanding, however, is a profound misreading of a rich and complex ancient literary tradition.
The sensationalism we associate with the word today obscures its original meaning and purpose. Long before it described a bleak future, "apocalypse" referred to a specific kind of writing with its own rules, themes, and goals. This was a literature of hope, meaning, and divine revelation, designed to provide clarity and assurance in confusing times.
This article, drawing on decades of careful scholarly analysis, explores five of the most surprising and counter-intuitive truths about apocalyptic literature. Our goal is to peel back the layers of modern misunderstanding and reveal what this ancient genre was truly about—a journey into a world where the primary goal was not to predict destruction, but to reveal a deeper reality.