TH7610 - Interpreting the Book of Revelation

TH7610

Interpreting the Book of Revelation

7

20 CC   10 ECTS

Distance Learning: King's Evangelical Divinity School eCampus

None

Recorded lectures 10 hours
Generated study time 190 hours

Various recorded lectures and 200 hours of generated study time.
Students have access to an online discussion forum to communicate with tutors and other students, along with e-mail support from tutors. Where appropriate, telephone support is also available.
Scheduled hours Placement Hours Independent Guided study
10 0 190

Core course material is noted as required in student coursework and typically includes recorded lectures and reading of select textbooks, papers or book extracts. All students are expected to listen to all of the course lectures and read the required materials. A range of supporting teaching material is also available to students as further recommended learning options.

Introduction to the Interpretation of Revelation
The Book of Revelation: sources, composition, circulation and adoption into the canon
Major interpretative approaches: Preterist; Historicist; Futurist; Idealist
Contemporary approaches to the book of Revelation
Evangelical approaches and consequences to the study of Revelation.

Revelation as Biblical Literature
The Apocalyptic Genre.
Revelation as three genres: apocalyptic, prophecy and epistle
The Use of the Old Testament in Revelation: quotations and allusions

Theological Themes in Revelation
Suffering and Victory; Tribulation and Judgement
Symbolism in Revelation
The Throne of Christ and the Final Victory
The Future Hope: The New Creation

Text Outline
Prologue (1:1-20)
Letters to the Seven Churches (2:1-3:22)
Adoration in the Church of Heaven (4:1-5:14)
The Seven Seals (6:1-8:1)
The Seven Trumpets (8:2-11:19)
Conflict Between the Church and the Powers of Evil (12:1-14:5)
The Seven Last Plagues (15:1-16:21)
The Fall of Babylon (17:1-19:5)
The Final Victory (19:6-20:5)
The New Heaven and the New Earth (21:1-22:5)
Epilogue (22:6-21)

  • To develop critical, research level skills in theological analysis and discussion of the contents of Revelation from a theological perspective.
  • To enable students to reflect independently on historical and contemporary approaches to key theological themes in Revelation.
  • To foster a capacity to undertake scholarly examination of important writings pertaining to the study of the theology of Revelation.
  • To provide students with a thorough understanding of key scholars and writers of theological matters pertaining to the study of Revelation
  • To enable students to undertake further postgraduate/doctoral studies in New Testament Theology, or in Revelation.

Audio lectures, guided reading, individual study, and individual support where appropriate. Students will prepare for assignments individually using interactive online learning material. Students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in online theological discussion on the eCampus Forum.

  1. An advanced understanding of the nuanced positions of recent theological debates and controversies concerning the interpretation of Revelation.
  2. An advanced ability to recognise the major theologians and theories relating to Revelation in the history of interpretation of the theology of Revelation.
  3. A critical capacity to describe and comment with research-level clarity specific issues on the theology of Revelation in contemporary Christian debate.

Component Weighting % Learning outcome(s) assessed Assessment category
15000 word essay100%1-3Coursework
As assessment

Aune, D. E. (1997). Revelation 1-5. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Aune, D. E. (1998). Revelation 6-16. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Aune, D. E. (1998). Revelation 17-22. Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

Bauckham, R. (1993). The theology of the book of Revelation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Beale, G. K. (1999). The book of Revelation: a commentary on the Greek text. Grand Rapids, Mich.

Beale, G. K., & Carson, D. A. (2007). Commentary on the New Testament use of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic.

Malina, B. J., & Pilch, J. J. (2000). Social-science commentary on the book of Revelation. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

Mangina, J. L. (2010). Revelation. London: SCM Press.

Mounce, R. H. (1998). The Book of Revelation (Rev. ed.). Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans.

Osborne, G. R. (2002). Revelation. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic.

Roloff, J. (1993). The Revelation of John (1st Fortress Press ed.). Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

Smalley, S. S. (2005). The Revelation to John: a commentary on the Greek text of the apocalypse. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.

Witherington, B. (2003). Revelation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Larry Helyer

TRS

Revalidation Panel

Tue, 02 Feb 2016

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