The Apocalypse

What does the term 'Apocalypse' mean? Who is the author of the Book of Revelation, said to be by John of Patmos? When was it written? In what historical context? What was the Christians' relationship to the Empire at the time? How did the different Christian groups get along together? What is hidden behind the mysterious 'synagogue of Satan'?

With Jesus crucified for being king of the Jews around the year 30 in Jerusalem, how was Christianity able to become the religion of the Roman Empire? Where does the name 'Christians' come from? Why did Nero accuse the Christians of setting fire to Rome in 64? Were they the real culprits or wrongly accused? Why is Revelations the most anti-Roman text in the whole New Testament?

What problems do the Christians cause for the Romans in the early 2nd century? What is the Christians' attitude when they are arrested? Why does Ignatius of Antioch ask to be torn apart by beasts? What is the difference between Jewish martyrs and Christian martyrs? What is the historical interest of these accounts? Should they be read as the earliest Christian propaganda?

How do the Pagans see the Christians? Why is there such a mutual lack of understanding? What purpose do the apologies sent to the emperors serve? Why does Justin engage in a dialogue with the Jew Trypho around 160? Does the Christian interpretation of the Bible render the Jewish interpretation obsolete? Are the Christians 'the True Israel'?

Why, from the 2nd century on, do the Christians feel the need to constitute a specifically Christian body of literature? Why is there a New Testament? What are the criteria that make it possible to separate what is orthodox from what is heretical? What is the crucial role Marcion plays around 140? Why does he imagine there being a Christian God and a Jewish God?

Why have certain forms of Christianity disappeared? How can gnosis be defined? Does it contain secret revelations on the order of the universe? Why is it so hard to find traces of this movement that was widespread throughout the Empire? Did gnosis pose a serious threat to the Church?