Apocalyptic in the New Testament

Dr. Richard Carlson, Glatfelter Professor of Biblical Studies at Gettysburg Seminary, discusses apocalyptic in the New Testament, first by showing how it grew as a response to the failure of wisdom literature (e.g. Proverbs) to satisfy the religious needs of Israel in the century and a half before Jesus. In the New Testament Carlson uses examples from Paul and Mark to show how apocalyptic was changed by the coming of Christ through an emphasis on the “already, but not yet” and on hope for things to come. As a means of understanding evil apocalyptic encourages perseverance in the face of what Paul calls the powers of sin and death and the new life “in Christ.”