Descrizione
Christians of the first century found themselves in a situation remarkably similar to today, immersed in a culture that was
oftentimes incompatible with the Christian faith. Rather than massive persecutions from the Roman Empire, persecutions came
principally from below, from friends and family members, business associates, etc. The book of Revelation pretends to transform
the imagination of the reader, unveiling the cosmic battle present in history between the forces of good and evil, and the final
victory of the Kingdom of Christ. It reveals how Christians participate in this battle through faithful witness to Christ, to the point
of giving their life if necessary, and through the liturgy, which at every step carries forward the action of God against the forces
of evil.
This course will present the spirituality the book of Revelation, a spirituality centered on living faithfully in a non-Christian world.
Additionally, we will explore how Revelation has been understood and misunderstood throughout history, and how, when
properly understood, its message is profoundly relevant for believers today.
Metodologia
The content of the class will be given primarily through lectures. There will be time for questions and some group discussions.
ModalitĂ di Verifica
100% of the grade will be from the final exam, which will be written. Students will receive a list of topics to prepare for the
exam, taken from the topics seen in the lectures. The exam will be a mixture of short answer questions and an essay topic.
Distribuzione
3ETCS = 75 hours of work
• Class Lectures - 25 hours
• Readings – 25 hours
• Personal Study – 25 hours
Learning Outcomes (LO)
1. Understand the spirituality of the book of Revelation and its relevance to the current situation of the Church.
2. Become familiar with modern scholarly opinions regarding the book of Revelation, and have direct contact with some
recent exegetical writings on the book, with a particular emphasis on how the book of Revelation reads the Old
Testament in light of Jesus Christ.
3. Be able to give a reasoned response to some current popular misunderstandings of the book of Revelation.
4. Understand the relationship between the Church’s teachings regarding the end times and the relevant passages in the
book of Revelation.
Programma
1. Social, Economic, and Political Context; Author and Date
2. Revelation within the Context of Jewish Apocalyptic Literature
3. 4 Ways of Interpreting Revelation (1)
4. The Letters to the 7 Churches (2-3)
5. The Heavenly Liturgy (4-5)
6. The Seven Seals (6-7)
7. The Woman Clothed with the Sun (12)
8. The anti-Trinity: The Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet (13-14)
9. The Seven Bowls (15-16)
10. The Judgment of Babylon, the Beast, and the False Prophet (17-19)
11. The Millennium (20)
12. The New Jerusalem (21-22)
Calendario
1. 20-feb Social, Economic, and Political Context; Author and Date
2. 27-feb Jewish Apocalyptic Literature and 4 Ways of Interpreting Revelation
3. 6-mar The Letters to the 7 Churches (2-3)
4. 13-mar The Heavenly Liturgy (4-5)
5. 20-mar The Seven Seals (6-7)
6. 10-apr The Seven Trumpets (8-11)
7. 17-apr The Woman Clothed with the Sun (12)
8. 24-apr The anti-Trinity: The Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet (13-14)
9. 01-mag Non ci sono lezioni
10. 8-mag The Seven Bowls (15-16)
11. 15-mag The Judgment of Babylon, the Beast, and the False Prophet (17-19)
12. 22-mag The Millennium (20)
13. 29-mag The New Jerusalem (21-22)
Ricevimento
Tuesday 10:30-12:15
Bibliografia
WILLIAMSON, P.S., Revelation, Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, MI 2014.
O per coloro che preferiscono l’Italiano:
BIGUZZI, G., Apocalisse, Paoline Editoriale Libri, Milano 2005.
Other Bibliography
AUNE, D. E., Revelation 1-5, Word Biblical Commentary 52A, Thomas Nelson, Dallas 1997.
–––, Revelation 6-16, Word Biblical Commentary 52B, Thomas Nelson, Dallas 1998.
–––, Revelation 17-22, Word Biblical Commentary 52C, Thomas Nelson, Dallas 1998.
BAUCKHAM, R., Climax of Prophecy: Studies on the Book of Revelation, Bloomsbury T&T Clark, Edinburgh; New
York 2000.
–––, The Theology of the Book of Revelation, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge; New York 1993.
BEALE, G. K., The Book of Revelation, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI 2013.
BEALE, G. K. - CAMPBELL, D., Revelation: A Shorter Commentary, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids,
MI 2015.
BIGUZZI, G., Apocalisse, Paoline Editoriale Libri, Milano 2005.
COLLINS, A. Y., Crisis and Catharsis: The Power of the Apocalypse, The Westminster Press, Philadelphia 1984.
COLLINS, J. J., The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature, Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI 19982.
GORMAN, M. J., Reading Revelation Responsibly: Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New
Creation, Wipf & Stock Pub, Eugene, OR 2010.
HILL, M. C. E., Regnum Caelorum: Patterns of Millennial Thought in Early Christianity, Wm. B. Eerdmans
Publishing Co., Grand Rapids, MI 20012.
KOESTER, C. R., Revelation: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary, Yale University Press, New
Haven; London 2014.
KRAYBILL, J. N., Apocalypse and Allegiance: Worship, Politics, and Devotion in the Book of Revelation, Brazos
Press, Grand Rapids, MI 2010.
MURPHY, F. J. - REISER, W. - AVERY-PECK, A. - LAFFEY, A., Apocalypticism in the Bible and Its World: A
Comprehensive Introduction, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, MI 2012.
PEDROLI, L., Dal fidanzamento alla nuzialitĂ escatologica. La dimensione antropologica del rapporto tra Cristo e la
Chiesa nell’Apocalisse, Cittadella, Assisi 2007.
PETERSON, E. H., Reversed Thunder: The Revelation of John and the Praying Imagination, HarperOne, San Francisco
1991.
POYTHRESS, V. S., The Returning King: A Guide to the Book of Revelation, P & R Publishing, Phillipsburg, NJ 2000.
REDDISH, M. G., Apocalyptic Literature: A Reader, Hendrickson Publishers 2015.
RIDDLEBARGER, K., A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI;
Leicester, England 2003.
VANNI, U., Apocalisse, libro della Rivelazione. Esegesi biblico-teologica e implicazioni pastorali, EDB, Bologna
2009.
–––, L’apocalisse. Ermeneutica, esegesi, teologia, EDB, Bologna 20054
