Visions of the Beyond and moral pedagogy: the construction of Hell and Paradise between the Apocalypse of Peter and the Apocalypse of Paul

Abstract

This article offers a comparative analysis of the Apocalypse of Peter (2nd century) and the Apocalypse of Paul (4th century), focusing on the transformation of early Christian eschatology from a collective and cosmic framework to a more individualized and moralized vision of the afterlife. Drawing on the distinction between historical-prophetic eschatology and visionary journeys of the soul beyond death, the study demonstrates how each text reflects the theological and sociocultural concerns of its time. The Apocalypse of Peter, grounded in final judgment imagery and retributive justice, acts as a transitional link between Jewish-Christian apocalyptic traditions and the emerging medieval imagination of Hell. In contrast, the Apocalypse of Paul, notable for its narrative organization and moral rigor, established a systematic model of postmortem judgment based on ethical hierarchies and ecclesial discipline, anticipating later developments such as the doctrine of purgatory. Through textual, historical, and theological analysis, the article argues that the normative function of these visionary texts is deeply connected to institutional needs, and that the widespread reception of the Apocalypse of Paul is due to its effectiveness in shaping a visual and theological map of judgment that resonated with the moral and pastoral structures of medieval Christianity.