Professional Documents
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New Testament
The book of Revelation has always seemed to be a tough book to understand. The
imagery and situations in the book seem so supernatural and terrifying that it scares many
readers away. I know its hard for me to visualize a day when the heavens actually open
up and this world coming to an end. Even the idea of Jesus returning seems so unreal
simple because, as a human, I can not comprehend the fullness of Jesus Christ returning
to this earthly plain. That, and the fact that there will supposedly be an all powerful being
riding a white horse leading an army of angels, a woman and a red dragon, and not to
mention the persecution of Christians all around the world. These images are all
terrifying in their own right and add to the stigma surrounding Revelation. However, the
same factors that make people wary of the book also draw others to analyze its words and
find meaning. Over time, there have sprung four major school of interpreting the book of
The first school of interpretation is Idealism, which takes away all the symbolic
language of the book and reduces the prophecy to a picture of the continuous struggle
between good and evil. This approach, although seems to help make the book more
prophecy and sheer embarrassment of the seeming over the top imagery and language.
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The second way to interpret Revelation is Peterism which is similar to Idealism,
in its origins and predisposition, but claims that the book is actually only describing the
persecution of Christianity by Rome. Under this approach, all of the images and visions
of Johns dream explain what would have happened by the way of the destruction of the
Roman Empire and the vindication of Christians if Christ would have returned in that
time. Although modern Peterists still try to salvage their beliefs, this interpretation is
lacking in evidence and would mean that the entire book is mistaken.
the Apostles to the second coming of Christ. Under this interpretation, everything is a
metaphor. Gundry explains the breaking of the seven seals represents the fall of Rome,
the locusts from the abyss represent the Islamic invaders, and the beast is the papacy.
Although this method seems understandable, there are so many differing opinions of what
description of a coming time called the tribulation which will be followed by Christs
return, the advent of Gods kingdom, the last judgment, and the eternal state. Futurists
calculate that the tribulation will last seven years, with the first three and a half years
being intensely distressing. After the first years of persecution and trials, Christ will
then rule with world for 1,000 years and crush a satanic rebellion before presiding over
the last judgment. After all of that, it will be then that the eternal state begins.
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2) List the nominees for the authorship of Hebrews and the pros and cons of their
authorship.
From the early church all the way up to modern times, no one has been quite sure
In the eastern parts of the Roman Empire, it was believed that Paul was the
author. When looking at the books theology, Pauls authorship seems valid. There are
many teachings in Hebrews that are similar to Pauls teachings in his letters, including
parts of Colossians, Philippians, and even both 1 and 2 Corinthians. The western part of
the Roman Empire, however, doubted Pauls authorship to the point of completely
excluding Hebrews from the canon. Doubters pointed out that nowhere in Hebrews does
the author acknowledge his name, even though Paul claims himself as the author in every
other of his known letters. Paul is also known for calling upon his apostolic authority, but
there isnt a single instance of that in Hebrews, only the calling upon the authority of
others who were eyewitnesses to Jesus ministry. Another reason why people doubt
Pauls authorship is the polished Greek style of Hebrews. In his other letters, Pauls
Some people think that Barnabas was the author. His Levitical background
correlates to the interest of the priestly functions listed all throughout Hebrews. Also, his
association with Paul would explain the similarities to Pauls letters. However, since
Barnabas was a resident of Jerusalem he would have seen Jesus first hand, but the author
Luke was also considered as a potential author since he, like Barnabas, followed
Paul and would explain the similarities to the Pauline letters. Lukes polished Greek style
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would also fit the written style of Hebrews. But the major evidence against Luke as the
author is that both of his know texts, Luke and Acts, is Gentile on outlook, while
acquaintance with Paul would explain the similarities to the Pauline letters and his being
tutored by Priscilla and Aquila would account for the polished style of Hebrews. Apollos
was also from Alexandria, which would explain the frequent use of the Septuagint in Old
Testament quotations. But the book of Hebrews treats the Old Testament as typological
history rather than an allegory, and the lack of early tradition evidence to support
Other potential authors include Silvanus and Philip, both of whom were Pauls
companions at one point, but there isnt much more than their association with the
Apostle to support either of their authorships. Priscilla was also a close associate of
Pauls and had the ability and skill to write Hebrews. She may have left the book
anonymous because of the cultural stigma around female authorship. Clement of Rome
was another candidate of authorship since there is a likeness between 1 Clement and
Hebrews. But according to Gundry, there are also many difference in outlook and
Clement probably borrowed from Hebrews. We still are not sure who wrote Hebrews.
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3) Outline the theological issues in Hebrews warnings about the consequences of
apostasy.
and utterly. The author of Hebrews spends an entire chapter and a half warning against
apostatizing and encouraging believers to grow in their faith. He warns that apostasy is
more than a temporary disobedience. Hebrews 6:4-6 states, It is impossible for those
who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift if they fall away, to
clearly stating that once a Christian apostatizes, all possibility of salvation is lost forever.
Apostasy would also demonstrate the falsity of the authors audiences profession and