general descriptions
Collins 1998a represents the standard introduction to ancient Jewish apocalyptic literature, providing a survey of the historical development of apocalyptic literature and the consensus definition of a literary apocalypse. nickelsburg 2005 interprets Jewish apocalyptic texts in the context of historical developments. Carey 2005 and Cook 2003 include Christian apocalyptic literature and provide alternative frameworks for interpreting apocalyptic discourse, while Vanderkam and Adler 1996 emphasize Christian apocalyptic literature as an appropriation of Jewish traditions. collins 1998b, mcginn 2000, and stein 2000 examine the apocalypse from ancient times to the present, while himmelfarb 2010 examines the jewish and christian apocalypses up to the byzantine era.
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carey, greg. Last Things: An Introduction to Jewish and Christian Apocalyptic Literature. st. louis, month: chalice, 2005.
You are reading: Apocalyptic books of the bible
a textbook-level survey of major early Jewish and Christian apocalyptic literature. defines apocalyptic discourse not as a literary genre but as a loose set of literary themes and devices. recommends interpreting apocalyptic texts as creative literary and religious responses designed to influence community beliefs and behaviors.
collins, john j. The Apocalyptic Imagination: An Introduction to Jewish Apocalyptic Literature. 2d ed. series of biblical resources. big rapids, mi: eerdmans, 1998a.
the standard reference in the field. begins with a discussion of the origins of the Jewish apocalypse and provides the consensus definition of an apocalypse, then examines the most influential Jewish apocalyptic texts.
Collins, John J., Ed. the encyclopedia of apocalypticism. vol. 1, The origins of apocalypticism in Judaism and Christianity. new york: continuing, 1998b.
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a collection of introductory essays on various topics related to the roots of Jewish, Christian, and ancient Near Eastern apocalypticism. unusual for its breadth. Includes essays on Messianism, Jesus, the Synoptic Gospels, and Paul.
cook, stephen l. apocalyptic literature. interpretation of biblical texts. nashville: abingdon, 2003.
A popular introduction and overview of biblical apocalyptic literature, with theological and canonical emphasis. Part 1 provides criteria for interpreting apocalyptic literature. part 2 looks not only at daniel and revelation, but also at the apocalyptic dimensions of the hebrew prophets, the first jesus movement, the gospels, and paul.
himmelfarb, marta. The Apocalypse: A Brief History. Chichester, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010.
a historical survey of apocalypses from the book of the watchers (1 enoch 1-36) to byzantine apocalypses such as the apocalypse of pseudo-methodius. concludes with a survey of modern apocalyptic movements. himmelfarb emphasizes that apocalypses address a variety of concerns, not simply historical eschatology.
mcginn, bernard, ed. the encyclopedia of apocalypticism. vol. 2, apocalypticism in Western history and culture. new york: continuing, 2000.
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Introductory essays on apocalypticism in Western Christianity from the early church to about 1800. Includes essays on medieval Jewish (670-1670) and classical Islamic apocalypticism.
nickelsburg, george w. me. Jewish literature between the Bible and the Mishnah. 2d ed. minneapolis: fortress, 2005.
A standard introduction to pre-mishnah non-canonical Jewish literature, by a leading interpreter of apocalyptic literature. analyzes the apocalypses and related texts chronologically, according to the sociohistorical events that precipitated them, such as the Maccabean rebellion and the destruction of Jerusalem.
stein, stephen l., ed. the encyclopedia of apocalypticism. vol. 3, apocalypticism in the modern world and contemporary times. new york: continuing, 2000.
The work of several authors includes essays dedicated not only to North American Christianity but also to apocalypticism in various places, religions, and periods. Includes essays on apocalypticism in North, Central, and South America and Western and Eastern Europe; in Christianity, Judaism and Islam; and in literature, popular culture, and politics. though now somewhat dated, a rich starting point for the investigation of modern apocalypticism.
vanderkam, james c. and william adler, eds. the Jewish apocalyptic heritage in early Christianity. compendia rerum iudaicarum ad novum testamentum 3/4. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1996.
a multi-author book evaluating aspects of the early Christian appropriation of Jewish apocalyptic traditions. Adler’s introductory essay addresses the functions and authority of the Jewish apocalypses in early Christian circles. Notable essays involve the development of the Enoch traditions in early Christianity (by Vanderkam) and the legacy of the Jewish apocalypses among Christians in various regions (by David Frankfurter).
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