Robert M. Royalty, «Dwelling on Visions.On the Nature of the so-called ‘Colossians Heresy’», Vol. 83 (2002) 329-357
This paper argues that Revelation provides a social-historical, theological, and ideological context for the reconstruction of the Colossian opposition. The proposal is that the author of the Apocalypse arrived in Asia after the Jewish-Roman war; his "dwelling on visions" and prophetic activity challenged the emerging hierarchy within the churches, provoking a response in Paul’s name from the church leadership. Correspondences and parallels between the description of the opposition in Colossians and Revelation are developed exegetically, showing that eschatology and Christology were key issues in the dispute. This paper reexamines the heresiological rhetoric of Colossians, raising methodological questions about other scholarly reconstructions of the opposition as non-Christian.
for the author of the Apocalypse. It would thus be a source of conflict between John’s apocalyptic-prophetic circle and the leaders in the Pauline churches of Asia. Since the teaching of Paul toward idol-meat was well-established (see 1 Cor 8–10; Rom 14,13–15,6), the challenge of John’s visionary rhetoric condemning this practice would require a strong response.
Another aspect of the opponents’ teaching, "observing festivals, new moons, and Sabbaths", could be understood as a concern for calendar and astronomical phenomenon67. John and his community likely observed the Sabbath. The phrase e)n th=| kuriakh=| (Rev 1,10) does not preclude the observance of the Sabbath but could be used to draw a distinction between the Sabbath and "the Lord’s Day"68. Furthermore, the attack on "so-called Jews" and the "synagogue of Satan" in Rev 2,9 and 3,9 indicates a struggle within the synagogue with Jewish groups and suggests a concern for Sabbath observance in John’s community 69. The Apocalypse, furthermore, is totally imbued with astronomical and astrological imagery70. Many visions in