Encountering the Old Testament, 3rd Edition
A Christian Survey
series: Encountering Biblical Studies
Chapter
31. Daniel: The Kingdom of God—Now and Forever
Chapter Intro Video
Chapter Objectives
- Describe the distinctiveness of the book of Daniel compared to the rest of the Old Testament
- Outline the book of Daniel
- Summarize how Daniel and his three friends were faithful to God
- Describe Daniel’s visions
- Identify the three dominant themes of the book of Daniel
- Tell how Daniel’s view of the nations differs from that of the other Old Testament prophets
- Explain why there are problems of interpretation regarding Daniel
- Summarize and evaluate the two positions taken on the date of the book of Daniel
Chapter Summary
- The book of Daniel is classified as apocalyptic literature and is unique in many ways.
- The characteristics of intertestamental apocalyptic literature areas follows: it contains a vision and requires interpretation by a heavenly mediator; the author’s name is a pseudonym; it has similar content in that it divides history into periods of time and history ends as a final judgment; it involves the temporal and the spatial; and it often takes a past event and writes it as a prediction for the future.
- Old Testament apocalyptic literature does not have all the features of the intertestamental apocalyptic literature.
- There are two basic parts to Daniel: the stories (1–6) and the visions (7–12).
- The dominant themes of the book of Daniel are the sovereignty of God, the self-destructive pride of humanity, and the ultimate victory of God’s kingdom.
- Daniel is the primary source for eschatology in the Old Testament.
- The book of Daniel’s most difficult passages to interpret include the visions of the four earthly kingdoms (Dan. 2 and 7) and the vision of the seventy weeks (Dan. 9:24–27).
- Scholars disagree on the identity of the four earthly kingdoms (Dan. 2 and 7).
- Recent archaeological discoveries and research have shed light on previously assumed errors in the book of Daniel (e.g., Nebuchadnezzar’s madness and the existence of Belshazzar and Darius the Mede).
- The two positions on the date of composition for the book of Daniel are the second century BC and the late sixth century BC.
Study Questions
- Define apocalyptic literature.
- How is Daniel unique among Old Testament books?
- What is the basic call the book of Daniel puts forth to its readers?
- How are the themes of faithfulness and loyalty to God and deliverance by God developed in Daniel?
- Explain the chiastic structure of the first seven chapters of Daniel. What is the central thought in this chiasm?
- What are some of the more well-known visions contained in chapters 7–12?
- Discuss some of the major theological themes in the book of Daniel.
- Discuss the problems in interpreting Daniel.