Reference no: EM133715024
Discussion Post: Acts, Letters, and Revelation
You must respond to at least 1 of the following questions in separate threads. Consider these questions with the information in your textbooks in mind, but feel free to use other sources as needed to add to the conversation. In the subject line of each of your threads, acknowledge which question is being answered (e.g., "Discussion: Acts, Letters, and Revelation, Question 1"), and restate the question within your thread. Create each thread as a new topic.
I. Give an explanation of the genre of the book of Acts as theological history. What are the implications for this particular genre on the interpretation of the book? How does the reader differentiate between the theology and the history in the book? What kinds of things should an interpreter look for in Acts so as to understand properly the message of the book? In your opinion, should Acts be read for doctrinal purposes? Why or why not? Please give examples from the book of Acts.
II. Look at the letters to the churches in Revelation 2-3 and make a chart of them showing the message of each letter in light of Jesus' (i) commendation or praise of the church, (ii) complaint or rebuke, (iii) warning, and (iv) promise. Focus on which of the seven churches are presented positively and which are presented negatively and why they are presented in this manner. Then do the same thing for the church which you currently attend. How do you think the things Jesus says to these seven historical churches apply to your church?
III. Pick one of the following passages and give an overview of the main point(s) of that passage based on the procedures discussed in the texts: Acts 2:42-47; Acts 6:1-7; Revelation 12:7-12; Romans 8:26-27; Hebrews 12:1-2. Be sure to offer some kind of specific and measurable application of the principles you discuss.
IV. What are the general characteristics of letters as they are found in the New Testament? How important for interpretation are the historical and literary contexts for these documents? Why did first-century writers employ the genre of letters when writing to other Christians? What specific issues must the interpreter take into consideration in order to discover the main principles of a New Testament letter? Do all the letters of the New Testament follow the same form? If not, give a list of some that do not and define their distinctive elements.