Jewish Apocalytic Literature: Its Significance and Resiliency in Biblical Communities

Jewish Apocalyptic Literature: Its Significance and Resiliency in Biblical Communities

Roger CALLAWAY

Jewish apocalyptic literature shows a surprisingly resilient life in biblical communities. Yet, because the literature is often misunderstood or even misappropriated, its value for the modern church is sometimes overlooked. A key to understanding the phenomenon of “apocalypse” is to distinguish between apocalyptic as a state of mind, as a social movement, and as literature. As literature of the Old Testament, apocalypse is most readily identified with the Book of Daniel, but may also be found sporatically in other places. But beyond the Old Testament, apocalypse continued to develop and flourish in rabbinic and Jewish mystical circles. Charting the development of themes from canonical to non-canonical examples of apocalyse provides a way to understand the intent of biblical apocalypse (ie, apocalypse set within the context of the canon). This may also provide a way for the modern church to accept Jewish apocalypse into its life and ministries in healthy ways.