Description
In early Judaism and Christianity, the apocalypse genre and related apocalyptic materials shared a common ideology that can be identified as apocalyptic eschatology. Religious communities employed apocalyptic eschatology in order to resist theological pluralism as it encroached upon them. Writers were capable of utilizing apocalyptic eschatology to dictate acceptable belief and practice in an effort to control and preserve a faithful community. Among the early Christian writings, Jude’s use of this ideology follows the same exclusionary pattern, addressing theological pluralism that his ancient audience faced and that the contemporary church continues to face today. Through his polemic, Jude also reveals a cluster of worldview non-negotiables for the early church.
Table of Contents
Abbreviations
Preface
Introduction
1. Jude: Survey of Research
Textual Criticism
Tradition/Source/Literary Criticism
Old Testament
1 Enoch
Testament of Moses
Christian Tradition
2 Peter
Rhetorical Criticism
Author, Date, Destination
Opponents
Conclusion
2. Apocalyptic Eschatology in Judaism and Early Christianity
Apocalypse
Apocalyptic Eschatology
Pluralistic Context
Ideological Function
Elements of Exclusivism
Conclusion
3. Apocalyptic Eschatology in Jude
Pluralistic Context
Community Infiltration
Ethical and Theological Antinomianism
Ideological Function
Community Identification
Explanation of Opposition
Encouragement for the Faithful
Community Preservation and Control
Elements of Exclusivism
Conclusion
4. Jude’s Apocalyptic Eschatology as Theological Exclusivism
Jude’s Pluralistic Opponents
Jude’s Theological Exclusivism
Conclusion
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
About the Author
William Renay Wilson II is Associate Professor of New Testament and Greek at Luther Rice College and Seminary.
