Apocalypticism in the Bible and Its World - Paperback

by Mary Connealy (Author)

Apocalypticism is not a peripheral topic in biblical studies. It represents the central, characteristic transformation of Hebrew thought in the period of the Second Temple. It therefore constituted the worldview of Jesus, Paul, and the earliest Christians, and it is the context in which the New Testament books were written. In this volume, Frederick Murphy defines apocalypticism while discussing its origins, where it comes into play in the Hebrew Bible, and how it relates to Jesus and the New Testament.

Back Jacket

A beloved master teacher introduces the literature that shaped the thought of the earliest Christians

"Years ago Ernst Käsemann asserted that Jewish apocalyptic was the mother of Christian theology. If you want to understand that claim, read Rick Murphy's masterful guide to all the relevant ancient Jewish and Christian apocalyptic texts. This remarkable synthesis is a fitting memorial to a beloved teacher, respected scholar, and fine human being."
--Daniel J. Harrington, SJ, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry

"Lucidly written, accessible, and reliable, Murphy's book is an ideal textbook for college courses. Its distinctive strength lies in its exposition of the role apocalypticism plays in the New Testament."
--John J. Collins, Yale Divinity School

"This book is without a doubt the most comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to apocalypticism available. It was written by a master scholar and teacher whose many years of intimate acquaintance with the ancient texts and whose pedagogical adeptness in communicating the material are evident on every page. This superb study will benefit both those who are new to the apocalyptic genre and worldview and those who are ready for a fresh and deeper look into a subject whose importance for understanding early Judaism and Christianity cannot be exaggerated."
--Daniel C. Harlow, Calvin College; coeditor of The Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism

"A master teacher, Professor Murphy has left us a legacy in this volume that will serve students for years to come. He covers the entire range of apocalyptic imagery and eschatology from its roots in the prophetic texts of the Hebrew Bible through the Dead Sea Scrolls and other Jewish works of the Second Temple period. Text boxes, charts, illustrations, and extensive bibliographies make this a classroom-friendly volume."
--Pheme Perkins, Boston College

Includes a foreword by William Reiser, SJ, Alan Avery-Peck, and Alice Laffey

Author Biography

Frederick J. Murphy (1949-2011) was professor of New Testament at College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, for over twenty-five years. He authored numerous books, including Fallen Is Babylon: The Revelation to John, Early Judaism: The Exile to the Time of Jesus, and An Introduction to Jesus and the Gospels. He received his PhD from Harvard University.