Abstract The paper discusses how the creed of apocalyptic spirituality is built on the idea that apocalypse is the final goal of God and how it is the ultimate vision of Christianity. The paper considers the ways in which it can be manifested and how it falls into two categories; priori and posteriori. The paper also examines some of the more famous apocalyptic thinkers such as Lactantius, Joachim of Fiore and Friar Girolamo Savonarola.
From the Paper "Joachim of Fiore was the pessimistic mystic of apocalyptic spirituality. He lived in Italy from 1135-1202 and was the founder of the monastic order of San Giovanni in Fiore. His followers were called Joachimites. Joachim of Fiore returned from a pilgrimage to the Holy Land a changed man. He became a hermit for a time and lived as a pessimistic wandering preacher. After some time he was embraced by Pope Lucius III and he became a prophet. Joachim of Fiore believed that he could read the true meaning of the Bible as others had never seen it. In this reading he saw that the apocalypse was actually coming quite soon. This is what differentiated him from the apocalyptic prophets before him. Joachim of Fiore warned his followers to prepare to be judged, because he saw the impending end about to come to fruition. "
Abstract The Book of Revelation is a unique portion of the New Testament. Unlike the other Books found in the latter part of the Bible, the Book of Revelation is not presented as a historical document or an instructional discussion, but is essentially a prophetic book, intended to deliver a glimpse of upcoming history that affects the happenings of the church. The paper considers why more mystery and disagreement surrounds the Book of Revelation than any other part of the New Testament. It shows that one reason why there is so much disharmony in the interpretations of the Book of Revelation is that there are different perspectives from which this apocalyptic book could be understood. The magnificence of Revelation is apparent in its intersection of shared imagery, language and style. This paper focuses on chapter 20 of the book of Revelations, by dissecting it line by line.
From the Paper "Line eleven states ?And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.? This throne is the throne of judgement, and all nations are called to stand before God. The white throne represents purity, glory and triumph, and is the color of the light. There is to be a new heaven and earth, and the old ones are destroyed and will be reconstructed. The twelfth line reads ?And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.? This indicates how the dead of every part of earth all come to judgement. The records that contain all the deeds of men are opened, as is the book of life in which the names of the saints are kept. All are judged according to their works in these books."
Abstract This paper explains that, born into a time when self-serving aspirations in the name of the public welfare were the norm of public life, Niccolo Machiavelli wrote his two discourses on public government as a means of demonstrating the difference between moral and immoral governments. The author points out Erasmus taught that the moral being, which is the key to the understanding of a man's character, is the same measure that should be applied to the measure of a political leader. The paper relates that, writing in the middle 20th century, Cohn's work holds the skeptical perspective, which typifies his period by focusing on how prejudices and hatreds among the poor, especially against the Jews, the clergy, and the wealthy, were used by religious leaders in conjunction with the cultural apocalyptic expectations in order to give rise to mass movements that resulted in much mayhem and bloodshed.
Table of Contents
Niccolo Machiavelli
Erasmus
Norman Cohn
Conclusion
From the Paper "At the heart of the struggle across Europe was class struggle between rich and poor, between landowners and farmers who worked the land, or between poor and clergy. These ongoing struggles developed frequently into all out wars. Cohn follows the misapplied beliefs of the church, but fails to move beyond the tragic examples of those who would lead in the name of religion for their own purposed, to build a philosophy regarding how religious ethic can, and should form the mind of man in order to teach him how to lead for the benefit of others. Cohn does an excellent job of describing this process in detail and deals with much of the mysticism and religious beliefs surrounding it."
Abstract In this essay, the writer reviews some of the main topics addressed in "Old Testament Prophecy: From Oracle to Canon" by Ronald E. Clements. The writer discusses the written preservation of prophecy leading to the apocalyptic and interpretive methodology.
From the Paper "Ronald E. Clements' Old Testament Prophecy From Oracles to Canon is a collection of Clements' formerly published writings. The essays pertain to the study of the prophetic corpus of the Old Testament. The essays are arranged in the book in canonical order with Clements' providing insights on a variety of significant issues being debated among the community of theology scholars. Old Testament Prophecy is structured in seven parts including and introduction and the following parts devoted to the prophets and prophecies Prophet King and Messiah ... "
Tags: Ronald E. Clements, Israel, religion, scripture, Jesus, Isaiah, messianic, apocalyptic, Mark, Old Testament, New Testament, scholarship, theology
Abstract This paper examines how "The Day of Doom", a poem written by Michael Wigglesworth is a poem with the central apocalyptic theme of the Great and Last Judgment. It looks at how the 224 eight lined stanzas dramatize God's sudden appearance among wicked men, His summons of the living and the dead to judgment, His extension of acceptance to "believers" and His punishment of the damned. It also discusses how the poem is perfectly suited to the Puritan period and how the cultural circumstances when the poem was published in 1662 made the poem gain its great success.
From the Paper "Through out the poem, Wigglesworth tends to strengthen the faith of the Puritans in their religion, their Christianity. The strong tradition of preaching and the sermon established by the Puritans had strong influence on the structure and the content of the poem. Inevitably, preaching became one of the strong sources for literary creations in the Colonial Period of American history. It is also true that sermons were the most popular literature of the time and became a dominant literary form for New England's most notable writers."
Abstract This paper examines whether post-apocalyptic landscape in Cormac McCarthy's book, "The Road", departs thematically from his prior works and what message, if any, we should find in the ashes. The paper explains that McCarthy's novels have consistently relied upon the pastoral American South where the isolation of man provides a sense of humanity, morality and community. The paper notes that in "The Road", McCarthy uses a post-apocalyptic wasteland where a man and his son struggle to survive against the barbarism of others. The paper then looks at how the use of a different landscape raises the question of whether or not "The Road" is also different thematically from his other novels, even-though McCarthy still places an emphasis on man's constant struggle for survival and his need for community in "The Road". The paper also points out that some sources cite that McCarthy's choice of landscape comments on the dangerous capabilities of humanity to destroy itself using technology and a legitimate concern for the environment. To conclude, this paper shows that McCarthy's post-apocalyptic landscape does not signify a departure from his consistent themes, instead it further emphasizes and validates his commentary on human nature and society in his prior works.
From the Paper "Of course, it should come as no surprise to those familiar with McCarthy's earlier works that The Road takes place, like the others, against such a backdrop of a harsh and unforgiving terrain surrounded by terrifying isolation, and that that landscape, like McCarthy's novels before it, serves once more to cage his main characters in a "world defined by barbarism and violence," where their struggle for survival will test the hope that "civilized values and actions can endure, despite humanity's capacity for savagery." (Smith 26). In his earlier works, however, such as The Orchard Keeper (1965), Outer Dark (1966), Child of God (1973) and Blood Meridian (1979), the landscape in which McCarthy's characters struggled to survive was a natural one. The Orchard Keeper, for example, was set in a small, isolated community located somewhere in Tennessee between the two World Wars."
This paper discusses director Danny Boyle's 2003 movie, ?28 Days Later?, an insightful reflection of societal fears of bioterrorism, terrorism, and catastrophic warfare.
Abstract This paper explains that, through his effective use of story structure, characterization, cinematography, and theme, Boyle creates the fictional post-apocalyptic world of ?28 Days Later?, which is characterized by brutality brought on by man's unthinking arrogance, playing out some of society's worst fears about warfare and terrorism. The author points out that the fear of "playing God" and the repercussions, which appear in the film, have been seen in literature and movies that trace back to Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein" and to similar movies, such as ?12 Monkeys?. The paper relates that the juxtaposition of the post-apocalyptic emptiness of London, with many viewer's recollections or projections of the familiarly busy bustle of London streets, provides one of the most shocking visual reminders of the impact of terrorism and catastrophic warfare.
From the Paper "In recent years, the world has been rocked by the growth of fears over a diverse set of growing threats to global political and economic stability and world health. The tragedy of September 11th brought the world into a new era of fear over terrorist acts. Since then, public uneasiness has only been heightened by the train bombings in Madrid, the Bali bombings, and continued governmental appeals for constant vigilance against terrorism. The fear of bioterrorism has also grown in recent years, with the release of sarin nerve gas on a Tokyo subway, and the presence of anthrax in the US mail. Adding to this climate of fear was President Bush's assertion that Iraq possessed of weapons of mass destruction (including biological weapons), an assertion that provided a justification for the Bush administration's entry into Iraq. Today, societal fears of catastrophic warfare that took root during the Cold War era continue to escalate, as tensions in the Middle East deepen."
Tags: plot, cinematography, characters, documentary, video
This paper discusses how the Christian scriptures make use of an intensely personal, narrative form of story that gives that religion its unique quality.
1,800 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 5 sources, 2001, $ 57.95
Abstract This paper shows how the Christian scriptures use of an intensely personal, narrative form of story that gives that religion its unique quality, as distinct from Judaism, the religion Christianity evolved and sprung from. It suggests that because of the fact that Jesus? believes were disseminated in a narrative structure, the confession and the personal became the dominant Christian mode of understanding the world, rather than the collective and the tribal.
From the paper:
"The New Testament, or Christian Bible, is divided into three basic sections, that of the Gospels, the Epistles, and lastly the Book of Revelation. The latter two sections were composed long after the death of Jesus. The last has a strikingly a similar form to apocalyptic books of that period. However, the first section, the section that is the founding core of the Christian story, could be entitled ?Jesus speaks.? Although these books were written considerably after the actual life and death of Jesus, the gospels thus attempt to convey a certain sense of accuracy, of reported testimony of the life of Jesus. "
Abstract This paper provides a summary of the plot and an examination of the writing style in this novel. As a genre it might be called Christian Science Fiction or Apocalyptic Fantasy. The writer shows that the plot is full of complexities. On the surface it's a fast moving, never a dull moment suspense novel with a profusion of plot twists, characters and themes. Underneath, it's Bible beating propaganda written in mediocre prose.
From the Paper "The setting ranges from Tel Aviv, to Chicago, to New York, and much of the fly space in between in whatever plane either of the two main characters are flying. It also encompasses the United Nations facilities, the corporate offices of a media giant, a humble Midwestern church, and a run down motel, among other varied locales. Central to the fast paced plot is the Rapture, or the Vanishing, of millions of the born-again faithful of Christ who disappear all over the world in a single moment, lifted out of their garments into Heaven. Those left behind must come to terms with the aftermath of the disappearance, including personal trauma and a global conspiracy involving the richest and most powerful men in the world and a takeover of the United Nations by the Antichrist. The reader experiences the plot on a more personal level through how the Rapture effects the lives of the two narrators."
Abstract This paper examines Albert Camus's novel "The Rebel". The paper discusses the philosophical concepts that are present in Camus's writing and supports these ideas with other philosophers' writing, such as Thomas Paine and Nietzsche. This paper is well-researched and written at a high level by bringing together philosophy and literature.
Table of Contents
I. A Child Prometheus: The Irrelevancy of Antiquity
II. The Post-Apocalyptic Reflecting God
III. The Monkey, the Man, Then the Gun: A Perusal of Modern Philosophy
IV. The Meridian: The Atom of Eden
From the Paper "The Rebel, by Albert Camus, is a distinctly modern book. There is very little written here that would have been defensive, or even coherent, in the light of the world as it was just 200 years ago. This is a book illuminated by the informed by the libraries of Nuremberg and illuminated by the fires of St. Petersburg and Hiroshima. It takes most of its subject matter from the intelligent and passionate perusal and perusal of the greatest works of romanticism, nihilism, and revolution in philosophy, art, and history. It seeks to comprehend and encompass physical and metaphysical history, yet with the entire goal of transcending it. Hence there is no set of teachings presented, no artwork or philosophy portrayed, which is not taken with a lovingly ironic grain of salt, approached not only with awe but also an expression of trembling hesitation. This transcendent discrimination is applied as surely and gently to Nietzsche and the Bible, and even extends its light to the classical works of which Camus is obviously so fond."
Analyzes personages, relationships & Biblical significance of scene depicted on tympanum of church, representing John's vision from Book of Revelation.
3,375 words (approx. 13.5 pages), 1 source, 1996, $ 119.95
From the Paper "The scene depicted on the tympanum of the church at Moissac is a version of the Apocalyptic vision recounted by John in the Book of Revelation. The principle subjects in the remaining sculpture in the south porch are the childhood of Christ, the story of Lazarus and Dives and the punishments of Avarice and Female Unchastity. The unifying concept of the iconographic scheme in this portion of the church can be found in the words that Christ spoke to John in the vision; "Behold, I make all things new." The new Jerusalem, the church established by Christ's suffering and death, is built on the foundations of the old Jerusalem. God remains adamant in his wrath against sinners but Christ offers a true chance of salvation.
The Apocalyptic vision, like the Last Judgment (a frequent subject on Romanesque tympanums), spoke of the wrath of God at..."
From the Paper "Benjamin West's "Death on the Pale Horse"
This paper will analyze the context in which the work of art, "Death on the Pale Horse" was created. The discussion will also identify the medium which the artist chose as well as highlight some of the more interesting aspects of this Benjamin West painting.
Two copies of the painting, both of which have been exhibited and reproduced as authentic works by Benjamin West, are in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. However, in articles written by a former director for that museum, Fiske Kimball, the old director questions whether these two paintings are actually copies. The articles were published in 1931 and 1932, and art historians now believe that the two originals now hang elsewhere (Von Erffa ..."
Abstract This paper looks at how the major difference between the Apostle Paul and the other apostles is that Paul had not known Jesus while he was on earth as the Son of God. It examines how Paul's conversion occurred only after the Ascension and how this fact plays a prominent role in his teachings about Jesus and about the apocalypse. It discusses this aspect of Paul's Christianity together with specific aspects of the apocalypse that Paul deals with in his writings. The three ages of the apocalypse as seen by Paul are also examined.
Outline
The End of the World (1 Cor. 15)
The Resurrection (1 Cor 15 continued)
The Restoration of the World (Romans 8)
The Coming of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4)
From the Paper "First, the end of the world as depicted by Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthians (Chapter 15:20-28) is considered. This is a celebration of God, who will come and reign over everything and everyone. Secondly, and closely related to this is Paul's view of the resurrection (1Cor15:20-28), during which the earth and human beings are made new to conform to the spiritual realm. Thirdly Paul's description of the restoration of the world in Romans 8:18-25 is considered. Here the premise is the hope that every Christian lives in that the suffering experienced in the world will end in glory. Finally, the way in which Paul deals with the coming of Christ in his first epistle to the Thessalonians (Chapter 4:13-18) is considered. Here Paul continues the theme of hope in terms of being reunited with those who have passed away."
Abstract This paper looks at the origins, evolution and ideology of militia groups in the United States. The paper explains how militia groups, at one time not associated with any particular religion or right-wing political group, have now come to attract members of certain religions and radical right-wing political parties. It looks at the different elements that make up these radical right-wing groups and the worldview to which they typically subscribe.
From the Paper "The ideological feature of the citizen militias is their sense that alteration is hardly ever for the good and never the outcome of chance. Any divergence from the "golden age" of America's history has been the result of a deliberate, malevolent design. Thus, flowing from this belief comes profligate conspiracy scenarios."
Tags:apocalyptic cults white supremacists black hebrew judaism weekend warriors ku klux Kkan groups christian identity believers, neo-nazi
Abstract This paper discusses the various forms of hysteria linked to the New Millennium, apocalyptic vision, and pronouncements that result from the change from one millennium to another. It looks at the connection between the measurement of time and belief in the supernatural.
From the Paper "The change from one millennium to another is often an occasion for various forms of hysteria, apocalyptic visions and pronouncements, a sense of great change, new possibilities, and so on. In truth, when our calendar changes from one millennium to ..."
