Alex Kollar

New Testament

Final Exam Essays

1) Identify the four main approaches to the interpretation of Revelation.

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

Revelation: Idealism, Peterism, Historicism, and Futurism.

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

understandable and approachable, seems to stem from an unbelief in predictive

prophecy and sheer embarrassment of the seeming over the top imagery and language.

1
 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.

Historicism interprets as a symbolic narration of church history from the time of

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

is symbolic of what, that there is no concise translation of the books metaphors.

The fourth and final interpretation is Futurism, which sees Revelation as a

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.

2
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

who the wrote the book of Hebrews.

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

Greek was far more rugged.

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

of Hebrews states that he had to depend on others for eyewitness testimony.

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

3
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

Hebrews is very Jewish.

According to Gundry, Martin Luther suggested Apollos as the writer. Apollos

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

Apollos authorship leaves doubt.

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.

Only God knows the true author.

4
3) Outline the theological issues in Hebrews warnings about the consequences of

apostasy.

Apostasy, as Gundry describes, is when a Christian renounces Christ willfully

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

be brought back to repentance In this passage, as Gundry emphasizes, the author is

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

bring about an irrevocable judgment upon them.