New Testament Exegesis II (Letters and Revelation) [ LTHEO2112 ]

Greek initiation, reading in English.

In order to achieve this end, - some significant text from the New Testament Letters (or Revelation) will be studied, with an explanation of the exegetical method and an illustration of the interest of basic exegetical tools; - some scientific literature about the texts will be read; - anthropological and theological aspects of the analysed texts will be developed, and their particular contribution in the context of biblical thought enlightened.

At the end of this course, the student will be able to - understand the main procedures of biblical exegesis and apply them on a text from the New Testament Letters (or the Book of Revelation) ; - situate the anthropological and theological contribution of significant texts of the New Testament Letters ; - understand and criticise scientific works in Old Testament exegesis.

Critical synthesis on the course (writing of 15 000-20 000 characters)

2010-2011
This course will focus on the crisis situation that characterizes the symbolic universe of the Book of Revelation. The theological topic of evil will be consequently investigated. The selected texts (Rev 2-3; 6; 11:3-13; 12; 13; 15:5-16:21; 17-18; 20) will be analyzed according to a narrative and socio-historical approach. Based on few articles which reading is required, a common work will also deal with several related topics: the apocalyptic genre, the relationship between historical situation and symbolic universe in the Book of Revelation, the proper interpretation of symbolic language

Selected bibliography:
R. BAUCKHAM, La Théologie de l'Apocalypse, Paris, Cerf, 2006.
P.B. DUFF, Who Rides the Beast ? Prophetic Rivalry and the Rhetoric of Crisis in the Churches of the Apocalypse, New York, Oxford University, 2001.
D. MARGUERAT, Y. BOURQUIN, Pour lire les récits bibliques. La Bible se raconte. Initiation à l'analyse narrative, Paris, Cerf, 42009.
P. DE MARTIN DE VIVIÉS, Apocalypses et cosmologie du salut (LeDiv 191), Paris, Cerf, 2002.
P. PRIGENT, L'Apocalypse de Saint Jean (CNT 14), Genève, Labor et Fides, édition revue et augmentée, 2000.
E. SCHÜSSLER FIORENZA, Revelation. Vision of a Just World (Proclamation Commentaries), Minneapolis, Fortress, 1991.
A. YARBRO COLLINS, Crisis and Catharsis. The Power of the Apocalypse, Philadelphia, Westminster, 1984.