DANIEL

“Ultimately, you will not be harmed. You may die in the physical sense, but your spirit will not be crushed. God will be with you and save you for the kind of life that lasts forever.”

He is portrayed as a wise man

His kind of wisdom is sometimes described as mantic wisdom:

It consists in his ability to interpret dreams

The author of the book tried to inspire the Jews to nonviolent resistance “Resist oppression with

all your heart” It also points to life after

death, to resurrection, and to hope in God despite circumstances that seem overwhelming and defeating.

The author had to avoid any direct references to the Greek oppressors in his writing.

As a result, the book is filled with code names and plenty of analogies

Chapters 1-6 are stories about Daniel and his friends

Chapters 7-12 consist of multiple revelations received by Daniel, which are explained to him by an angel. These chapters are known as apocalyptic.

Second section

Apocalyptic literature

Was intended to give hope and inspiration to those oppressed by powerful forces.

It affirms that in the great cosmic struggle between good and evil in the world, the power of good- that is, the power of God- will prevail in the end.

It has been misunderstood to predict certain real events in the future.

Apocalypse comes from the Greek word meaning “unveiling,” “disclosure,” “revelation”The revelation

is given either through a vision or through a report from some mediator, usually an angel.

The heart of the apocalyptic world-view is a profound disillusionment with the present order

a sense of powerlessness to effect any changes for the better

a conviction that this worthless age is about to end.

Maccabees:Defend ourselves Kill them

Daniel (and other apocalyptic writers):Write “bad things”

about enemyUse code language so

the enemy does not understand

Cosmic battle- good vs. evil, God vs. devil

God will fight for them

Flight response

How would each response apply to each of the examples below: 1.Someone bulling you 2.Your girlfriend cheated on you3.Your best friend is going out with your ex4.Someone writes unkind things about you on facebook

Flight response