Apocalyptic, Prophetic, & Wisdom Literature Compared

Adapted from Brian Stoffregen: http://www.crossmarks.com/brian/luke21x5.htm

"I present the following brief and very simplistic purposes of prophetic, wisdom, and apocalyptic literatures. While they all have a future component, they are primarily concerned about the present."

prophetic literature

· Present time is one of suffering

· Why? The people have sinned.

· Future may be a time of blessing if the people repent.

· Purpose: call the people to repent and change their ways in the present time

wisdom literature

· Present time may be one of blessing or suffering

· Why? Cause and effect system: Blessed if do right -- suffer if do wrong

· Future depends on continued righteousness or unrighteousness

· Purpose: encourage the people to continue or start living righteously in the present

apocalyptic literature

· Present time is one of suffering

· Why? The world is under evil powers who afflict the faithful

· Future: a reversal of fortunes: the faithful righteous who suffer now, will be rewarded; and the godless unrighteous who bring suffering to others, will suffer (usually in a different or recreated world)

· Purpose: encourage the people to continue their faithfulness and patience during the present suffering