Before Jerusalem Fell

20
CONCLUDING REMARKS
In the field of New Testament Introduction there are a number
of thorny questions that confront the scholar. The great distance in
time and culture separating us from first century Christian and
imperial history has served to render the questions that would naturally
arise even more diflicult. Yet for a more precise understanding
of the whole meaning of Scripture, it is necessary for dedicated
Christian scholarship to attempt to resolve them. The more certain
we are regarding the circumstances of the human authors and the
original recipients of Scripture, the better will be our position to
discern the fullness of the meaning of Scripture itself.
The field of Biblical Introduction is, therefore, a worthy enterprise
for the conservative Christian scholar, who is committed to the
Lordship of Jesus Christ as He is revealed in God’s holy Word. The
diligent labors of these scholars actually serve to bring the people of
God further along in their sanctification, if we truly believe that we
are sanctified by God’s Word, which is truth (’John 17: 17; 2 Tim.
3:17; 1 Pet. 2:2).
One of the most debated of questions in the field of New Testament
Introduction is that which comprises the topic of this book:
What is the date of the composition of Revelation? The matter has
been debated since the rise of the modern principles of scientific
Introduction. And the passage of time has witnessed a frequent
shifting back and forth on the answer to the question. The most
widely held view among current Christian scholarship – whether
liberal or conservative – is that of a Domitianic date for the book
around A.D. 95. Unfortunately, there are numerous problems of
consequence that beset this view.
333