The following practice examination is not a complete text but consists of sample questions for practice (the point totals in the headings, however, are the same as the real exam). It is recommended that the student print out the exam (which should look similar in printed format to the paper exam used in class) and attempt to answer the questions. Then go online and click on the answer slots to receive suggested answers (in red) and an explanation of the answers (in blue).  The actual exam will have fifteen questions and be worth fifteen points.
 
 
Advanced Revelation
Teacher: Jon Paulien
NTST 646
Fall, 2005


EXAMINATION #2

Methodology and the Book of Revelation


Name _____________________________

I. Objective Questions (10 points)

In the blank space put the word, phrase or short sentence that best answers or completes the question. The length of line is a rough indicator of the length of the best anticipated answer.


1.  What word or phrase best describes the literary genre of the book of Revelation as a whole?

__________________________________  answer


2. What is a "live symbol?"

_____________________________________________________________________  answer


3. The fundamental steps toward a thorough exegesis of the book of Revelation are basic exegesis, exploration of the Old Testament background, consideration of how early Christians (NT times) transformed the OT in the light of the Christ event, and:

__________________________________________________________  answer


4. When two words of major significance are parallel between Revelation and an OT passage, we would call it what?

___________________________________________________________________   answer


5. List two of the five possible categories of likelihood that the author of Revelation had a particular OT text in mind (Direct Allusion).

_________________________________

_________________________________  answer



II Essay Question (5 points)

In the space allotted answer the following question as accurately as you can.

Discuss the basic considerations an interpreter needs to take into account when detecting direct allusions to the OT in the text of Revelation.


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___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________  answer







Objective 1.  Prophetic-Apocalyptic
While various scholars have argued that Revelation is apocalyptic or prophetic, the evidence seems mixed enough to argue for a mixed genre. If the student answered "apocalyptic" or "prophecy" half credit would be appropriate.





















































Objective 2. A "live symbol" is one recognized in everyday life.
There are many appropriate ways to define this concept. A live symbol has to do with ideas and concepts readily recognizable to and understood by anyone living in the area where the symbol is used. The symbol may have arisen in an earlier literature, such as Homer or the Old Testament, but the source does not need to be known for the meaning to be recognized. When the author of Revelation uses a live symbol from the Old Testament without being conscious of its origin, we call that an "echo."













































Objective 3. Understanding the structure of the book as a whole.





















































Objective 4. A Verbal Parallel.
















































Objective 5. Any two of the five below:
The five categories of authorial intention are certain allusion, probable allusion, possible allusion, uncertain allusion and nonallusion.


















































Essay 1. When an interpreter tries to determine the presence of a direct allusion to the OT in the book of Revelation, it is helpful to begin with the internal evidence in Revelation by looking for verbal parallels, thematic parallels and structural parallels. All other things being equal, the greater the number of parallels between two texts, the more likely it is that one is alluding to the other. Of the three main criteria structural parallels are the strongest and thematic parallels are the weakest. But multiple verbal parallels become increasingly strong as the number of common words increases. The likelihood of a direct allusion also increases when a particular parallel is rare in previous literature or when there is strong external evidence that an author is familiar with the previous literature in which the parallels are found.
This is not intended as an ideal answer. The student could go different directions in answering the question. But a sound answer needs at least to take into account the three essential criteria (verbal, thematic and structural parallels) for a direct allusion and the relative value of each.