Module Religion Writing

1. The major topic of Module 5 is how to correlate the prophetic tradition in the postexilic period with the rise of apocalypticism in the Hellenistic age.  Describe briefly what an apocalyptic worldview is, as covered in class and in the assigned reading from this module on the subject by Collins.   Then focus on two of the following texts we covered in relation to this issue: Deutero-Zechariah, Malachi, Joel or Isaiah 24-27.   Identify two elements or details in each of the two texts that accord more with the apocalyptic tradition than the prophetic tradition.  Your response should be at least 175 words.

2. Explain why, as covered in class and also in the assigned reading by Collins, scholars understand the vision of the four beasts in Daniel 7 as written in the context of the Maccabean revolt.  Be sure to include a brief description of the Maccabean revolt.  If you were a Torah-loyal Jew being persecuted in the context of this crisis, how would the vision of Daniel 7 help you understand your situation?  Your response should be at least 175 words.

3. As discussed in our final class, the transition from listening to prophets in pre-exilic Israel to studying books by prophets in the Second Temple period is a major transformation of the prophetic tradition.  Describe at least 3 things you learned in the lecture on this topic and articulate why understanding this change is important.

4. Please list five things you found interesting in Module 5 that you enjoyed learning about (4 points each).  Please number them.  Each item should be one detailed sentence.  The items listed here should not overlap with your answers elsewhere in the quiz.