This thesis explores the themes of suffering and theodicy in the Apocalypse by means of a Pentecostal reading strategy that employs Wirkungsgeschichte and narrative analysis. The purpose of this reading strategy is to negotiate meaning between Spirit, Scripture, and Community as I read texts relevant to suffering and theodicy in the Apocalypse. I use the observations I negotiate from the Apocalypse to make overtures toward a theodicy that is apropos for Pentecostals.
The thesis begins by surveying scholarly literature relevant to suffering and theodicy in the Apocalypse from the mid-20th century to present. Following this, I present my reading strategy along with an overview of the early North American Pentecostal movement that represents my Pentecostal context.
The thesis examines early North American Pentecostal periodical literature from 1906-1919 in order to hear the voices of the early Pentecostal community during the heart of its movement and during WWI and the Flu pandemic.
The thesis moves forward into a narrative reading of the Apocalypse focusing on texts that are germane to suffering and theodicy while considering how John’s implied hearers would encounter the text.
The thesis works toward a theology of suffering and theodicy in light of the Apocalypse while offering overtures toward the construction of a Pentecostal theodicy.
The thesis makes a number of contributions: (1) it is currently the most comprehensive exploration of the most recent research of suffering and theodicy in the Apocalypse, (2) it presents a Pentecostal reading strategy that engages the most current and up-to-date advances in Pentecostal hermeneutics, (3) it offers the first reception history of how early North American Pentecostals understood suffering and theodicy from the Apocalypse, (4) it provides the most comprehensive narrative/literary approach to the themes of suffering and theodicy in the Apocalypse, (5) it contributes to the ongoing studies in the Apocalypse by offering approaches to suffering and theodicy that have emerged from my narrative reading, and (6) it makes overtures toward a Pentecostal theodicy.