Ep 272: The Apocalyptic Worldview of Ancient Judaism and Christianity with John J. Collins

In this episode I talk with Dr. John J. Collins, Holmes Professor of Old Testament Criticism and Interpretation Emeritus at Yale University and the world’s leading scholar of apocalypticism and apocalyptic literature, about his brand-new book Apocalypticism as a Worldview in Ancient Judaism, out June 25, 2026 on Eerdmans. Dr. Collins discusses his career and life-long interest in apocalypticism and his role in formulating the standard definition of apocalyptic literature. He explains how ‘apocalyptic’ should only be used as an adjective and why the noun ‘apocalypticism’, denoting a worldview of related concepts, is more appropriate. When then discuss how apocalypticism works in ancient Judaism and its primary characteristics, including a view of history which offers a hope beyond ‘the end’, the use of myths and symbolism to communicate apocalyptic ideas, the cosmic scope of apocalypticism which includes a spiritual realm inhabited by spiritual beings which are sometimes at war with humanity, and the social and political crises which generate apocalypticism. We also discuss the relationship between millenarianism and apocalypticism, why early Christians transmitted apocalyptic literature, how apocalypticism manifests itself in modernity, and the impact of apocalypticism on Christian theology in today. Media Referenced: Apocalypticism as a Worldview in Ancient Judaism: https://www.eerdmans.com/978080288500... John J. Collins Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/... Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_J.... The Protestant Libertarian Podcast is a project of the Libertarian Christian Institute and a part of the Christians For Liberty Network. The Libertarian Christian Institute can be found at www.libertarianchristians.com. Questions, comments, suggestions? Please reach out to me at [email protected]. You can also follow the podcast on Twitter: @prolibertypod, and YouTube, @ProLibertyPod, where you will get shorts and other exclusive video content. For more about the show, you can go to theprotestantlibertarianpodcast.com. If you like the show and want to support it, you can! Go to libertarianchristians.com, where you can donate to LCI and buy The Protestant Libertarian Podcast Merch! Also, please consider giving me a star rating and leaving me a review, it really helps expand the show’s profile! Thanks!