| Summary: | A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Theology and Religion Studies in Fulfilment of
the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Biblical Studies), at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2003. === This study endeavours to ascertain whether or not eschatological scenarios propounded by certain writers of highly influential and popular "end-time" texts are biblically sustainable, according to the hermeneutical methods employed by them.
Firstly, the hermeneutical methods utilised by Christianity's exegetical predecessors, namely, the rabbinical Pharisees and the Qumran sectaries of the Second Temple period, are considered. Such methods, and the eschatological convictions ensuing therefrom, are apparent from canonical and non-canonical literature relevant to these two groups. Thereafter, the applicability of these methods to a Second Testament context is examined, the rationale being that if the use of such methods is significantly evident in the Second Testament, then they should, it is proposed, be germane to Christian scholars of both earlier and modem times since Christianity arose from the matrix of early Judaism. This is particularly so as regards the writers of popular eschatology whose end-time positions are then examined in the light of early Jewish hermeneutical methods, and their own interpretative stance.
The conclusion is reached that the Second Testament does reflect extensive use of the hermeneutical methods of early Judaism and that, consequently, subsequent Christian scholars should endorse these methods. It appears, though, that Christians through the ages have ignored such methods. It is further concluded that the main eschatological issues promoted by the popuiarisers cannot easily be defended solely through the use of the exegetical methods employed by them. However, it is submitted that many such issues can be substantially justified through the use of traditional Jewish hermeneuticai methods, as employed by the Second Testament redactors and Jesus himself.
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