Historicism, as a print publication, covered a range of topics, but two major areas of focus were the Old Testament book of Daniel (especially Dan 11; 1985-1990) and the New Testament book of Hebrews (1991). Other topics may appear to have been chosen randomly, but in fact each and every paper has something to do with some aspect of the doctrinal foundation or interests of Adventism. For an overview of the basic structural organization of the journal, see this Introduction.

During the last year that the journal was active the theme topic switched from Daniel to Hebrews. The Seventh-day Adventist theology of the sanctuary is based heavily on Daniel, and yet Daniel is not the only lens through which Scripture conveys this important topic. It also appears from a New Testament point of view in the book of Hebrews and we neglect this somewhat different perspective at our peril, if for no other reason than that our critics have not neglected it. But of course that's not the only reason for studying it. Hebrews is an exquisite jewel within the New Testament. It's an added bonus that it declares on issues of doctrinal interest.