September

Apocalypticism

Meira Kensky, Joseph E. McCabe Associate Professor of Religion
September

This Thursday Forum will examine some of the central pieces of apocalyptic literature in Judaism and Christianity. We will see how throughout history, apocalyptic groups emerge during times of real or perceived oppression, injustice or instability. These groups have produced literature of varied forms, which reveals the way they understood history and their place in it. By examining such texts and movements, we will be able to appreciate the rich and nuanced ways humans have attempted to place themselves in a larger and meaningful cosmic plan, and interpret contemporary events as predicted and planned by the divine. In our first session, we will discuss one of the earliest pieces of apocalyptic literature, the Book of Daniel. The second session will grapple with the book of Revelation and some of the ways it has been interpreted over time.