Amazon.com
The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth reawakens a surprising ancient view of the Eucharist, as the harbinger of the supernatural drama described by the New Testament book of Revelation. Catholic theologian Scott Hahn thinks that many worshippers receive the sacrament of communion without ever considering its links to the end of the world, the Apocalypse, and the Second Coming. Hahn wants to change our minds; he wants us to know that "The Mass--and I mean every single Mass--is heaven on earth." Literally. So, Hahn declares, "Now heaven has been unveiled for us with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ ... Jesus Christ Himself says to you: 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me' (Rv. 3:20)." Hahn's enthusiasm, as evident even from these short quotes, is considerable--and infectious. Furthermore, he delivers his arguments with great levity (demonstrated in chapter titles such as "Oath Meal"), which makes The Lamb's Supper quite a tasty read. --Michael Joseph Gross
Customer Reviews:
wonderous new insights!.......2007-10-11
I am a cradle Catholic who has just finished 7 years of Bible study. This brought me many new insights of the Mass I have attended faithfully for my entire life. I only wish I had been taught these things years ago. It is a small book, but a treasure trove of beautiful realities of the Mass. I think it is a must for every Catholic!
A must read for all catholics and those seeking truth.......2007-09-15
This is the most influential book I have ever read in my life, period. It will completely change the way you approach Mass and your day to day life.
Great introduction to the Mass and Revelation.......2007-08-23
We've tought a few classes using this as a textbook and it's great. We've even had non-Catholics appreciate the connections made in this book.
Amazing.......2007-07-09
Until I read this book as a Protestant exploring the Catholic faith, I had no idea what all is happening in the Mass. This book opened a whole new world to me.
An Oasis of Truth.......2007-06-27
This book by Scott Hahn reveals the hidden mysteries of the Mass. It has greatly helped me find refreshment in this topsy-turvy world. A virtual oasis in the midst of the modern desert. Now I appreciate the Mass, finding deeper meaning in the actions, symbols, garments and liturgy that one encounters in the Mass. It is so biblical and truly reveals God's love for mankind. A great treasure to own. Truly, heaven has come to earth.
Average customer rating:
- Calculations are only as good as your numbers
- Pants on fire?
- Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed.
- Very Interesting
- History as Science Fiction
|
History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)
Anatoly Fomenko
Manufacturer: Mithec
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Chinese
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Irish
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Japanese
| Ethnic & National
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Women
| Specific Groups
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Augustine, Saint
| ( A )
| People, A-Z
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Doctors & Medicine
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Lawyers & Criminals
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Love, Sex & Marriage
| Humor
| Entertainment
| Subjects
| Books
Assyria, Babylonia & Sumer
| Ancient
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Early Civilization
| Ancient
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Ancient
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Historiography
| Historical Study
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| World
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Asian American
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Asian American
| Poetry
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
French
| Erotica
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Victorian
| Erotica
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Epic
| Poetry
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
German
| Poetry
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Russian
| Poetry
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Spanish
| Poetry
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Chinese
| Classics
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Conspiracy Theories
| Current Events
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
War on Drugs
| Crime & Criminals
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
English (All)
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Arabic
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Armenian
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Czech
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Greek
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Hungarian
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Japanese
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Korean
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Norwegian
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Persian & Farsi
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Polish
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Portuguese
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Romanian
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Russian
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Swedish
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Turkish
| Foreign Language
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Science
| Dictionaries & Thesauruses
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Online Research
| Genealogy
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Native American
| Earth-Based Religions
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
General
| History & Philosophy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
History of Science
| History & Philosophy
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Magic & Wizards
| Fantasy
| Science Fiction & Fantasy
| Subjects
| Books
Sailor Moon
| Popular Characters
| Children's Books
| Subjects
| Books
Pilates
| Exercise & Fitness
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
History
| Fashion
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
All Titles
| Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007
| Stores
| Books
Similar Items:
-
History: Fiction or Science? Chronology 2 (Chronology)
-
History: Fiction or Science? Astronomical methods as applied to chronology. Ptolemy's Almagest. Chronology III
-
Discovering the Mysteries of Ancient America: Lost History And Legends, Unearthed And Explored
-
Before the Pharaohs: Egypt's Mysterious Prehistory
-
They Cast No Shadows: A Collection of Essays on the Illuminati, Revisionist History, and Suppressed Technologies
ASIN: 2913621058 |
Book Description
Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.
Customer Reviews:
Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03
Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.
Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19
Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.
Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09
There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.
For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.
Very Interesting.......2007-03-07
It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.
History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10
Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.
I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.
Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.
Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.
I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.
This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.
Book Description
An even-handed summary of the four traditional views of Revelation in parallel columns. This convenient presentation not only gives you the information you need on these key views, but also informs you about outstanding commentators on the book of Revelation throughout much of church history. A wonderful addition to any Bible study resource library.
Customer Reviews:
90 AD.......2007-08-07
The death of Muhammad was June 8 623 AD. The Koran says Friday is the day of the week for the Islamic Muslim Sabbath called Friday the Day of Congregation and the symbol of Islam is a moon with a star. Blue blue blue blue moon/ by the light of the silvery moon in June. Saint John the Divine wrote the Gospel of John and 3 Letters or Epistles and the Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation and Friday June 8th 2007 was a last quarter moon. In Revelation there are 7 Churches including the Church of Philadelphia and 22 Chapters and Jesus Christ said I am the Alpha and the Omega the first and the last. Friday June 1st 2007 was a full moon and so was Saturday June 30th 2007 a full moon. And of Times Square in New York City on New Year's Eve: Saturday December 1st 2007 is a last quarter moon and Monday December 31st is a last quarter moon. New Heaven and New Earth. John the Baptist's birthdate is June 24th and the Birth of Christ Jesus is Christmas on December 25th.
Fun and helpful.......2007-08-03
While a book as symbolic and mysterious is bound to generate diverse secondary literature, this one is the one I would recommend, in part because it acknowledges the diversity. The book is literally divided into four columns across every page, with four different viewpoints on each passage of the biblical text.
Gregg presents four alternate views of Revelation, the Historicist (a less common view today, that Revelation prophecies events throughout history from then to now), the Preterist (who believes the symbolic images of Revelation apply to actual events of the first century, particularly around the fall of the Jerusalem Temple in 70AD), the Futurist (who believes the events of Revelation will literally play themselves out in the future), and the Spiritual Idealist (who does not believe the events of Revelation correspond to actual historical events). Even within such categories, there will still be an obviously wide swath, and Gregg does service to them by quoting a wide range of commentators in each of the four categories.
This is not so technical a commentary as Mounce's, and as a consequence may not lend itself so much to scholarly work. However, it is very practical for the preacher and very readable for any serious student of the Bible. Gregg does a great job of giving the reader options from which to decide.
The one viewpoint which might have been more throroughly explored would be the fulfillment of the imagery in first century events not restricted solely to 66-70AD. He only touches on the eruption of Vesuvius and never even mentions the threat of the Parthian Empire, both of which were assuredly on John's mind. Nonetheless, for as much as an author could get into one commentary, Gregg includes the right stuff.
James W. Miller is the author of God Scent
GOOD BUT NOT COMPLETE.......2007-06-08
This book brings together 4 views on understanding the apocalypse.My only criticism is that it tends to have ignored other viewpoints,rather than going for completeness.The late date preterist view is mentioned only in passing,and the amount of space devoted to the views of the early church fathers ,should have been expanded on.It does an admirable job of bringing together in one handy reference the views of evangelicals.But if you are interested in the in depth viewpoints of older christian denominations ,such as Lutheran,Catholic and Orthodox you will be disappointed.
Great resource for student of Revelations.......2007-04-10
This book present a unbiased comparison of the the many different view of this book, along with much of the historical reasons, and changes in these views. I highly recommend it.
Parallel Commentary Transcends Denominationalism.......2007-04-04
In this parallel commentary, Gregg provides an invaluable tool for Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants alike. He is diligent in providing the most articulate case possible for each of the four major interpretive traditions regarding the Revelation to St. John. He presents each tradition's best thoughts on each passage. The tool is useful precisely because it does not make straw men out of any of the traditions, and because it does not pigeon hole interpretations by denomination. In doing so, Gregg recognizes that there are variations within denomination, and that interpretations also transcend denominational divisions. Moreover, he fairly presents the in survey form the depth of scholarship that has developed each approach.
Average customer rating:
- mediocre read.....
- Hostile to Christianity generally, not just Revelation
- Reductionism versus literalism
- Amazing Look At A Text That Continues To Influence Society
- The world is going to end NOW! Oops, I meant NOW! Wrong again! This time I really got it: NOW!! Awe, shoot.
|
A History of the End of the World: How the Most Controversial Book in the Bible Changed the Course of Western Civilization
Jonathan Kirsch
Manufacturer: HarperOne
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| World
| History
| Subjects
| Books
New Testament
| Commentaries
| Reference
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
New Testament
| Criticism & Interpretation
| Reference
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Church History
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
Eschatology
| Theology
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Christianity
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0060816988
Release Date: 2006-08-22 |
Book Description
A remarkable and unprecedented examination of how the Book of Revelations has been used and abused from Roman times to the present day.
The mysterious author of the Book of Revelations (or the Apocalypse, as the last book of the New Testament is also known) never considered that his sermon on the impending end times would last beyond his own life. In fact, he predicted the destruction of the earth would be witnessed by his contemporaries. Yet Revelation not only outlived its creator, this vivid and violent revenge fantasy has played a significant role in the march of Western Civilization.
Ever since Revelation was first preached as the revealed word of Jesus Christ, it has haunted and inspired hearers and readers alike. The mark of the beast, the antichrist, 666, the whore of Babylon, Armageddon, and the four horsemen of the apocalypse are just a few of the images, phrases and codes that have burned their way into the fabric of our culture. The questions raised go straight to the heart of the human fear of death and obsession with the afterlife. Will we, individually or collectively, ride off to glory or will we drown in hellfire for all eternity? As those who best manipulate this dark vision learned, what side we fall on is often a matter of life or death. Honed into a weapon in the ongoing culture wars between states, religions, and citizenry, Revelation has significantly altered the march of history.
Customer Reviews:
mediocre read............2007-09-29
Firstly, it must be taken into account that the author is not a noted scholar in this field and, in addition, is rather dismissive in his writings - using words to describe the Book of Revelation like "spooky" and "freaky". I found it difficult to take in a lot of the info, because the book reads more as an exaggerated diatribe against Christianity rather than a genuine scholarly study of the Book of Revelation and its impact on history, making it seem like Kirsch has other intentions in mind, and therefore loses a lot of its credibility.
Hostile to Christianity generally, not just Revelation.......2007-09-19
I picked up this book because I'm a left-leaning, non-Left Behind reading Christian who has always had grave doubts about whether Revelation truly belongs in the Bible. I wanted to read a book exploring the writing of Revelation, how it finally was accepted into the Biblical canon, and how it has been used/misused over the years. But I am a Christian, and it just became virtually impossible to read this book after plowing through the potshots at Christianity generally. For example, Kirsch repeatedly refers to Jesus as just another apocalyptic prophet who got it wrong about when the end of the world would be.
Most amazingly, Kirsch claims early Christians weren't really persecuted all that badly by the Romans. On page 86 of the hardcover version, he quotes Pliny the Younger, who was charged with rooting out Christians, as saying he would absolve persons of being Christians if they would just make an offering to the emperor, make an invocation to the pagan gods, and curse Christ. He also would remind persons who admitted being Christians that they faced death unless they recanted, and then order the execution if they didn't recant. Kirsch then compares this to asking American schoolchildren to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. What??? The Pledge does not require treating the President as a deity, or cursing Christ, nor are people threatened with execution for not taking the Pledge. This is just such a laughable argument that I found it impossible to take anything else Kirsch had to say afterwards seriously.
Bottom line is, if you're a Christian who wants a serious, well-reasoned discussion of Revelation, look elsewhere. If you're not, well, you may like it...just don't assume all Christians look at Revelation the same way.
Reductionism versus literalism.......2007-09-11
While adequate in delineating the literalist abuses of the Book of Revelation historically, the author is incapable of transcending his own reductionist view of the book as a psychotic revenge fantasy. Kirsch lacks an appreciation of metaphor and story, and is especially devoid of a sense of irony, and hence his appraisals never rise above the hatred he sees in the text. In approaching a difficult work, he took the easy way out. He provides no nuanced or alternative readings. Instead of uncovering the deeper meanings, instead of removing the filters of troublesome readings, instead of laying bare ancient understandings of ultimate reality, he covers and smothers Revelation in his own layers of vituperativeness. When reductionism meets literalism, the strategy would seem to be annihilation.
If you are looking for a mature reading that navigates the ambiguities of the religious and secular, you will not find it here. While able to disentangle the current political abuses of Revelation, the author is unable to get beyond meaninglessness to meaning. I yearned on every page for an approach through the creative imagination which would yield an unmediated encounter with the spirit of life. You would not know from Kirsch's book that the Book of Revelation informs our vision of a democratically-inclusive world and, when read with just a little sensitivity, that it is a life-giving and life-affirming work at the same time that it is a profound critique of the kind of institutionalized power that subjugates. Would that Kirsch had enlisted Revelation in the movement to freedom against the very historical domination systems that subverted it.
Amazing Look At A Text That Continues To Influence Society.......2007-09-09
Jonathan Kirsch tackles a subject that fascinates and terrifies most people: the end of the World. More specifically, Kirsch's work focuses on the Christian New Testament Book of Revelation. What is it about this text that fascinates readers to such an extent? Is this ancient text still relevant in our modern world? Kirsh takes on this difficult-to-answer questions in his book, The History of the End of the World.
I am a huge fan of Jonathan Kirsch. I find his non-fiction biblical theories to be well-researched and his books written in an engaging style that the reader can easily access. In this work, Kirsch takes a hard look at the way the Book of Revelation has influenced history and continues to impact the modern age, as well. Touching on relations between countries, the events of 9/11, and how church dogma was influenced by the one body of text that narrowly made it into the cannon, Kirsch explores all the fact and the lore surrounding the New Testament's most controversial text.
The world is going to end NOW! Oops, I meant NOW! Wrong again! This time I really got it: NOW!! Awe, shoot........2007-06-05
I find it amazing that since the intertestamental period, apocalyptic doomsday prophets have been declaring the imminent end of the world, it never happens, and yet people continue to listen to the Hal Lindseys and Tim LaHayes of the world. This book brilliantly tells the history fo Revelation and the ways people have used it throughout history to try to scare the world into some system of belief or action, and I realized just how ridiculous the whole enterprise is. As a former evangelical, it makes me ashamed that I used to buy into all the Left Behind stuff, but scholars like Kirsch have helped me see things more rationally.
Book Description
With a new introduction and new readers study guide by the author
The idea of "The Rapture"-the return of Christ to rescue and deliver Christians off the earth-is an extremely popular interpretation of the Bible's Book of Revelation and a jumping-off point for the best-selling "Left Behind" series of books. This interpretation, based on a psychology of fear and destruction, guides the daily acts of thousands if not millions of people worldwide. In The Rapture Exposed, Barbara Rossing argues that this script for the world's future is nothing more than a disingenuous distortion of the Bible. The truth, Rossing argues, is that Revelation offers a vision of God's healing love for the world. The Rapture Exposed reclaims Christianity from fundamentalists' destructive reading of the biblical story and back into God's beloved community.
Customer Reviews:
rapture.......2007-08-23
There are many different views of the coming of the end of the world. The book of Revelation has been misunderstood and misused and taken out of context by mainline evangelicals. The Rapture Exposed brings to light to truth of the Bible. It is very well written and very theological. Anyone who believes in the rapture needs to read this book.
Hope for the Bible view of comfort in the end of gosple age is not left behind in this book........2007-08-03
It seems to me that many love to be tricked,fooled and lied to about the Bible. Thank God there are authors willing to dig for truth and revealed what they have learned in their writings as Rev. Barbara Rossing as she explains that the Left Behind novels are NOT of the truth and why in "The Rapture Exposed."
The religious world is confused the thinking about interpreting I Thessalonians 4:13-18, on which the concept of "The Rapture" is based. Most Christian people believe that these verses are teaching how Jesus will return to take away faithful Christians from earth,the rest mainly Jews,infidels or other faiths will be left to suffer the pains of man made hell on Earth. Whereas this teaching was intended by the Apostle Paul to be one of consolation to the Thessalonian brethren who were enduring severe persecution.
These were faithful Christians did not go to heaven when they died, but as verse 13 explains, they were now "asleep" in death. They also are described as being asleep "in Jesus" (vs. 14), which means that, although they were asleep in death, they were in the arms of Jesus and the Father. Paul was reminding these brethren at Thessaloniki that their brethren who had died would be brought forth in the resurrection. First, however, all would be entering the sleep of death. The resurrection would not take place until the Lord returned. Those who would be living at the time of the present age of coming of the Lord would not precede those who had fallen asleep in death. Contrary to the concept that when our Lord returns he sweeps up all the faithful living upon earth, Paul says that those asleep in death will be come first. These will be the first raised from the dead.
Those few who have been invited to follow Jesus in the narrow way proof 'faithful unto death' (Rev. 2:10) Thus, those who are of this class and are alive at the time of our Lord's return must die before they can join all the other faithful footstep followers. The important feature of our Lord's return is the resurrection. All those who had previously died will be raised from the dead. Those who are living at the time will die, but will not have to remain in the sleep of death awaiting the resurrection, rather they will be changed immediately to be with the Lord in the twinkling of an eye (I Cor. 15:51-54) Those thus assembled with the other faithful become the completed body of Christ HIS CHURCH to perform a great work during the kingdom of assisting Jesus in bringing back from the dead all that are in their graves. (John 5:28,29, RSV) The work of uplifting the downtrodden family of Adam will end after one thousand years of education in the way of righteousness and Truth. Obey God and live.
This is the real hope for the world.
http://axisoflogic.com/cgi-bin/exec/view.pl?archive=89
The 2nd half of the book was better than the first half.......2007-07-20
Barbara Rossing is a learned Lutheran New Testament scholar. She writes this book to expose the false doctrine of a pretribulation rapture and to reveal the true message of hope found in the book of Revelation.
The first half of the book was disappointing. Rossing paints with a broad brush and writes off dispensationalists as right wing wackos who glorify the violence in the Bible and who are hoping for things to get worse in the world so that Jesus will come back and rapture them home to heaven. She misrepresents the theology and the hermeneutics of dispensationalism time and again, too many times to enumerate in this short review. She chooses not to interact with established dispensational scholars such as John Walvoord, Renald Showers, Robert Thomas, and J.D Pentecost. She seems to prefer easier targets such as Hal Lindsay, Tim LaHaye, and John Hagee.
The truth is that most of the dispensationalists that Barbara critiques are people just like her: They are trying to lovingly live for Jesus the best way they can in light of the fact that He could come back at any time.
The second half of the book was much better. Rossing presents Revelation as a visionary book, much like Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Story," a vision of how bad things could get if we turned our backs on God. She sees the Revelation as a wake up call, as a way for God to say, "It's time to repent and turn to me." She has a hard time believing that God would ever actually carry out the judgments threatened throughout Revelation.
But as we see in Genesis 6-9, Exodus 7-14, Joshua 7-12, and in the judgments on Israel and Judah described in 2 Kings 17 and 2 Kings 24-25 (not to mention the terrible events of 66-70 A.D), God does sometimes carry out His judgment.
There is an appendix where Rossing briefly expounds on some other relevant New Testament texts. Her exegesis in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 is plausible and possible, but unfortunately, she adopts Robert Gundry's idiosyncratic reading of John 14:1-4, a text where Christ clearly promises to come back for Christians and take them to heaven.
She also expounds on Matthew 24:41-44, but the truth is that there are no contemporary dispensationalists that I am aware of that teach that this is the rapture. Most would agree with her reading of the text.
Dr. Rossing is a good writer, and I hope she puts out some more books.
Rev. Marc Axelrod
Left Behind Is Busted!.......2007-07-10
This book is a true exposition and explanation of how the book of Revelation ought to be interpreted. Barbara Rossing exposes all of the inconsistencies of Left Behind, Hal Lindsey's "Late Great Planet Earth" and all people of their kind and shows their theology for the hoax and the misinterpretation of the Bible that it truly is. The only criticism that I have of this book is that Rossing focuses so much on good stewardship of the earth and social justice that she "downgrades" heaven a bit. I have no doubt that she still believes heaven to be a real place; however, her main concern is calling Christians in the here and now to live out their faith in Jesus by loving one another as we wait for Him to return. Score one for the true historical Christian faith against these new weird interpretations that were taught NO WHERE and at NO TIME in the Christian church until 1830!
Cuts through the confusion on Revelation.......2007-05-28
If you cringe from the gleeful tint of the books and televangelists predicting and anticipating a blood-soaked end of the world, all claiming legitimacy from the vision of John, and all a bit too far from the love and peace of Jesus for comfort, you're not alone. Rossing examines the text of Revelation and reminds us that the true intent of the book was to extol Jesus as "the Lamb," the bringer of forgiveness. She points out how dangerous it is for would-be political masterminds to try to tie their personal agendas to the Scripture. This book is a brisk but thoughtful counterpoint to the John Hagee crackpots of the day. Read it if you have seen one too many weird tracts stuck in a phone booth.
Customer Reviews:
Omega.......2003-07-20
The New Interpreter's Bible is a twelve-volume series, updating the popular Interpreter's Bible from a few decades ago. There are several key features common to all of the volumes of this series. First, each includes a two-column, double translation of the Biblical text (NIV - New International Version, and NRSV - New Revised Standard Version) arranged by topical unit or story. Then, they provide commentaries that look at the passages as a whole, as well as verse-by-verse. Third, interesting Reflection pieces that relate the passages to each other, to history, and to current concerns occur at the conclusion of each passage. Fourth, introductory articles for each book are provided that discuss transmission, historical background, cultural setting, literary concerns, and current scholarship. Finally, there are general articles about the Bible, each Testament, and various types of literature (Narrative, Gospel, Wisdom Literature, etc.) are provided to give general placement and knowledge about the text overall.
The list of contributors, editors, and consultants on the project is a veritable Who's Who of biblical and theological scholarship, representing all major traditions and schools of thought liberal and conservative. Leander Keck, of the Yale Divinity School, is the primary editor of the series.
The volumes were published individually, and can be purchased individually, which is a good thing, given that they are a bit expensive. But for any serious biblical scholar, preacher, student, or enthusiast, they are invaluable.
--Volume XII--
The twelfth volume of the New Interpreter's Bible is the volume that completes the the New Testament and the series, containing the non-Pauline letters and the Revelation.
Fred Craddock, emeritus of Candler and perhaps the greatest living Disciples preacher, addresses the intriguing letter to the Hebrews. This makes sense, as Hebrews is essentially a sermon, in sophisticated language making arguments intricate and subtle.
Luke Timothy Johnson (a professor of mine from undergraduate days), also of Candler, looks at the letter of James. Johnson also wrote the Anchor series text on James, looking at it from various standpoints as ethical and wisdom literature.
David Bartlett of Yale writes about 1 Peter, a letter addressed to all churches generally (as opposed to specific churches, such as Paul's letters). Bartlett looks at social background, linguistic issues, and theological content.
Duane Watson of Malone College looks at 2 Peter and Jude. Most scholars do not attribute 2 Peter to Peter, but rather someone writing as Peter. Jude is the shortest book in the Christian Bible, remarkably complex for a mere 25 verses. Again, the authorship is unknown.
C. Clifton Black of Southern Methodist University studies the three Johannine letters. Black explores the relationship of these letters to the gospel of John and the Revelation, other texts traditionally ascribed to John, as well as theological content, linguistic issues and historical information.
Christopher Rowland of Oxford completes the volume with the Revelation. Like Luther (who found writing commentary on Revelation next to impossible), Rowland provides interesting images in colour plates (a rarity in this series). In addition to looking at the content of the book, Rowland also explores the history of interpretation of the Revelation, one of the most controversial and enigmatic of canonical texts.
High praise goes to the general editorial staff for working with such strong authors/scholars, that their work fits together well as part of this set while retaining their individual characteristics (much like the writers of the Bible itself!).
--Other volumes available--
The following is a list of each volume in this twelve-volume set, and the contents of each.
Volume I: General Articles on the Bible; General Articles on the Old Testament; Genesis; Exodus; Leviticus
Volume II: Numbers; Deuteronomy; Introduction to Narrative Literature; Joshua; Judges; Ruth; I & II Samuel
Volume III: I & II Kings; I & II Chronicles; Ezra, Nehemiah; Esther; Additions to Esther; Tobit; Judith
Volume IV: I & II Maccabees; Introduction to Hebrew Poetry; Job; Psalms
Volume V: Introduction to Wisdom Literature; Proverbs; Ecclesiastes; Song of Songs; Book of Wisdom; Sirach
Volume VI: Introduction to Prophetic Literature; Isaiah; Jeremiah; Baruch; Letter of Jeremiah; Lamentations; Ezekiel
Volume VII: Introduction to Apocalyptic Literature; Daniel; Additions to Daniel; Hosea; Joel; Amos; Obadiah; Johan; Micah; Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah; Haggai; Zechariah; Malachi
Volume VIII: General Articles on the New Testament; Matthew; Mark
Volume IX: Luke; John
Volume X: Acts; Introduction to Epistolary Literature; Romans, I Corinthians
Volume XI: II Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians; I & II Thessalonians; I & II Timothy; Titus; Philemon
Volume XII: Hebrews; James; I & II Peter; I, II & III John; Jude; Revelation
A Good Commentary, but...........2003-03-30
Make no mistake, this is a good serious commentary but I will caution against it for 2 reasons (both of which can be overcome): As the other reviewers no doubt notice, it is horrendously overpriced. Find some way to get around the price. The other fault is practical: Anytime a commentary volume devotes more than 2 books per volume, then the books are not give then expository justice they deserve, there simply isn't enough room.
Nevertheless, I will get specific on the pros and cons of the Johannine letters and the book of Revelation in the commentary.
Johannine Literature. Although the exposition is limited in these volumes, Dr. Black does draw out important truths from the letters, particularly good are the "Reflections." The downside of his scholarship is the uncertainty in which he deals with the practical appliactions. He notes the failures of the mainline church but wonders why they are there when the text is right before his eyes!On the other hand, this is a very detailed commentary, despite its limited expositional space. What makes the NIB interesting are the reflections, allowing the author to challenge the reader without being preachy. If the expositor's bible commentary had the reflections that NIB had, evangelicals would have a standard commentary.
Revelation: This is another flawed gem. Dr. Balckman's introduciton is rather lenghty, which is always good. His reflections are nicely done. His excurses are masterful. However, he has this annoying habit of depending on English poet William Blake for interpreting the book as opposed to godly biblical scholars. Aside from this minor faux pas, he does a fine job. I really wanted to give this commentary 4 1/2 stars
Bottom Line: if you can get this commentary cheap--get it. If not, do not lose any sleep over it.
The best of the best.......2000-07-10
Most people understand that the study of Scripture is an enormous task; and that there is a considerable theological heritage to even the most benign of passages. Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to translate that understanding into a willingness to genuinely delve into the vast pool of material out there. In addition, it's hard to know whom to trust.
You can trust the New Interpreter's Bible series. All of the scholars who contributed are the best in their field. In addition, the layout (which includes two complete translations - the NIV and the NRSV) is conducive to both scholarly and spiritual study of the texts.
Each text is broken down into discrete units followed by general commentary on the passage, verse by vers analysis of key issues, and then an overview of study questions. The commentators address issues of authorship, historical setting, translation, theological history, and personal application. In addition, they graciously point to excellent sources for further reading.
Speaking as a pastor, it is my strong opinion that every English-speaking Christian who is serious about Bible study should own the complete set.
The BEST Bible commentary available........1999-01-11
I can't believe that no one has written an online review of this book yet! The NIB is the best Bible commentary written. If you are serious about scholarly study of the Bible, you need to buy the entire series. It is expensive to buy 12 volumes at $60-70 each, even if you save 30% through amazon.com like I did ;). In that case, check with your church or library. As a fall-back try Harper's or Jerome's for single volume commentaries. If at all possible, buy the NIB. Forget the earlier version of the IB.
The NIB is the definitive standard for serious Bible scholarship.
Customer Reviews:
Revelation is a lot easier than I thought it was.......2006-03-31
For the past 15 or so years I have avoided Revelation, in part because I assumed the book would be too difficult for a normal guy like me to understand. Recently I decided it was time to stop neglecting this portion of God's Word.
Thanks to Dennis Johnson for producing such a well reasoned commentary without the sensationalism so common in modern Christian writings. I never dreamed that Revelation would make sense to me or, as it has, become my favorite book of the Bible. It pretty much summarizes the entire Bible.
I would encourage any who have, like me, been scared of Revelation to simply read it for what it says and compare Scripture with Scripture (rather than the evening news). Triumph of The Lamb will help you through this study. It certainly has helped me tremendously.
A great book...but these aren't new ideas---.......2006-02-22
This is a wonderful exposition of Revelation.
Many people seem surprised by Johnson's excellent detailing of Revelation's truths.
Yet this kind of teaching is NOT NEW to the church or the world. It is what had been believed all down through the history of the church. WILLIAM HENDRIKSEN (1940), WILLIAM MILLIGAN (1800's), and many many others have taught for AGES that the Old Testament is THE key to unlocking this book.
The general population has a problem with their understanding of The Book of Revelation only because a couple of highly popular authors have been teaching their own unscriptural fantasies about the Book of Revelation for the past 30 years.
I don't have to name names because these two sensationalists are so popular that everyone knows who I'm talking about.
The false church, along with the world, latches onto the utterances of these people because they do not understand the Book of Revelation either, allowing these two, along with a few others, and also another very odd man and his scary wife to get away with saying all manner of foolish speculations about the Book......though no one can refute what they say because so few have read the first 65 books required in order to break the code of the Book's symbology.
For many, many years, great theologians and teachers have taught the correct translation of The Book of Revelation, yet their voices have been drowned out by the popular worldly speculators whose theology is just plain wrong.
Dennis E. Johnson is not wrong, and I whole-heartedly recommend this book to anyone who has the love of the truth, and whose greatest desire is merely to know the TRUTH, regardless of what it is.
I also want to communicate to everyone reading this that there are many other great authors and teachers who know and love the truth, and lay it out nicely for everyone to understand. It's time we stood up and put an end to these money grubbing so-called teachers, who are nothing more than wolves in sheeps clothing.
I recommend the Revelation and prophecy-related books of These other wonderful and highly competent teachers of Truth:
William Hendriksen, G. K. Beale, Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Louis A. Brighton, John Stott, Craig Koester, Leon Morris, Everett I. Carver, Richard Brooks, John Wick Bowman, Jay E. Adams, Earl Wesley Morey, Simon Kistemaker, Eugene Boring, Paul Butler, Vern Poythress, Philip E. Hughes, G.B. Caird, R.C.H. Lenski, Philip Mauro, Louis Berkhof, William Milligan, Herman Hoeksema, Stephen S. Smalley, William E. Cox, O.T. Allis, Michael Wilcock, Albertus Pieters, Geoffrey B. Wilson, Archibald Hughes, Ray Summers, & Malcolm Smith. There are also many others whom I haven't the time and space to name.
These good people lovingly teach truth and are not given to wild, ridiculous speculations about a future which the bible speaks nothing about. They don't try to make scripture fit their own silly pre-conceived notions, but instead exegete scripture by what it actually says and means, regardless of their own beliefs.
I apologize for saying little about Dennis's book, but I'll let the other reviewers speak for that. I agree that it his is a fine tome indeed. It's an easy read as well, so you don't have to keep a dictionary by your side the whole time, and I consider that to be a major issue with Revelation related books. Many great theologians are very lacking when it comes to being able to relate their great knowledge to others, especially the student and layman. Dennis has the great gift of relating his truths in an easy and understandable way.
I merely needed to get this off my chest after reading some reviews here where people seem very surprised to see a Revelation commentary which espouses that which most of the underground church has ALWAYS believed. This is only what has been taught for century upon century by many respected teachers and theologians (Though overshadowed by the popular masses).
Yes, Left Behind and The Late Great Planet Earth sell alot of books. Thats about all they have done, unfortunately...That is, make money. Sadly though, the one thing they haven't done is taught truth.
Excellent Resource!.......2004-11-24
I just finished teaching an adult Sunday School series on Revelation. My brother-in-law, who is a professor at the same seminary where Dennis Johnson teaches, suggested this book as a resource. I relied heavily on this tome throughout the 11 weeks of the course, especially since I did not like the curricula I had found and ended up creating my own curriculum. The writing is clear and easy to follow. The concepts are organized and well thought out. The theological concepts and explanations are sound, scholarly work. Dennis did a great job tying in themes and references to the Gospels and Hebrew Scriptures. Bravo!
Not The Fantastic Approach To Revelation You May Be Used To.......2003-03-19
This book presents an explanation of the last book of the Bible that makes sense. It is not what is so commonly being preached and taught today. It is a view that shows that Revelation really does connect to the rest of Scripture making one complete unit. The author also gives short explanations of some other ways to view the difficult passages allowing the reader to better evaluate these texts. It is rare to find so much of the book of Revelation keyed to Old Testament passages that also look to the future, even beyond our day. Chapters and verses of Revelation are easy to locate all through the book so one can quickly take a look at those puzzling passages. I highly recommend it to each who is interested in learning more about the interesting way Revelation presents human and heavenly events - many times in different ways from different views. Some of these events are already past; but some (and these peak my interest) remain for us to still expect.
Book Description
Makes understanding and learning the Bible as easy as the ABC's.
Customer Reviews:
"I chose this as one of the 3 best when I had to teach Revelation!".......2005-12-11
When I was asked to teach Revelation, I was given the choice of any commentaries I wanted to study in preparation. I knew my audience would include teens, mature adults, and new believers. After much research, I decided on 3--each, the best at it's particular audience.
For young people (teens) and new believers, I used "Dragons, Grasshoppers, & Frogs!". It gave me the practical, reflective questions to include in daily life. I especially liked the Love Letter from Jesus based on the hidden messages from Christ in the book.
For my mature audiences, I used a serious work entitled "Revelation" by John MacArthur. This gave me technical background.
But for general excellence, this book was everything I could have hoped for! Mr. Duck writes in a simple, humerus manner. He never loses touch with either the reader or the bible-centered interpretation of Revelation. He also includes some reflective questions (though not nearly as good as 'Dragons'), and provided the best bibliography of them all.
I would highly recommend this book unless you deny the premillennial, pretribulational viewpoint.
Revelations for The Biblically Inept.......2005-09-15
THis is the greatest guide for Revelations. I strongly suggest anyone who is studying to use this guide
Very good.........2003-06-05
This isn't Mark's best work but it comes close. The read was a bit choppy but still it's one of the better outlines.
Biblically Inept is by far the best study books written.......2003-01-14
The Biblically Inept books are a fine complement to your bible. I am so impressed with the Revelation and Life of Christ Biblically-Inept books that I intend to collect all of the Biblically-Inept books. I was so shaken about the Revelation book in the past it was one of my most hated books in the bible. When I got the Revelation Biblically-Inept book it had really open my eyes to things and that there was nothing scary or mind boggling about Revelation. After I got through reading the Revelation Biblically Inept book. I feel even more content, joyful about gods plan, and completely understand the book of revelation where it doesn't scare the day lights out of me, instead I rejoice in gods plans. Biblically-Inept are wonderful complementary study guides to your bible.
"Makes Revelation not only easy--but actually fun to study!".......2002-07-06
***This review would include the DANIEL work by the same author**
Revelation is, without a doubt, one of my sixty-six favorite Bible books to study! I've probably studied (and taught) this book more than any other, and there are very few Revelation commentaries I haven't used. This commentary though, is unique.
The author is dispensational, millennial, and pre-tribulational in his approach. Let's get that straight right now! If you're not, you might not fully 'appreciate' this work.
He cites many of finest authors on Revelation, and does not consider his work alone as the final authority. But unlike other commentaries, Duck includes a broad array of contemporary 'radio' type personalities such as J. Vernon McGee, Noah Hutchings, Jack Van Impe, and even a few Pentecostal experts as well.
This book is the easiest to read of any Revelation book I've ever studied, and includes very helpful references to the Old Testament. This author understands that the key to Revelation is in the Old Testament, and NOT in wild, personal speculation! Kudos, to you Dr. Duck!
If there is a weakness in this series, it might be the 'handwritten' timelines in the Appendix. They seem just a tad inferior in quality to the finely formated balance of the rest of the book.
One can get a wonderful and adequate grasp of Revelation using this book alone. However, the real meat of study here is in finding which of the many authors cited appeal to you most, and then checking out their full work on Revelation. This book serves up a sampling of the best in the field. Best of all, it seems to be readily available, and inexpensive 'used' on the Internet.
Revelation was written to be studied, as it tells us in its opening verses. Yet, Revelation comes last in Scripture; God assumes we've grasped the fist sixty-five books FIRST!
Dr. Duck's guide for the 'inept' will provide a great deal of help for those who only know Psalms, a few Proverbs, and '...the words of Jesus in red'! If you're not new to Revelation, this book is somewhat limited, but not a waste. Something always seems to pop up that you really hadn't thought of!
I look forward to the rest in this series. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Customer Reviews:
Monumental and Superb!.......2007-07-11
Beale has written on of the most expansive commentaries that leaves very little in the Book of Revelation unexplored. The Introduction itself is worth the price of the book. The book is 1157 pages long and has very few if any weaknesses in the conclusions that are reached. The major strength of the book is that Beale allows the Old Testament to be interpreted by the writer of Revelation without assuming that John is using it as a proof text. Beale explores the Old Testament context to get at what John was doing and seeing and when this is done it makes interpretation much easier, with not so much guess work. Beale is a futurist, but by no means in the dispensational sense. In being a futurist, he recognizes that some things like the resurrection are future, but that much of the rest is both past (preterist) and ongoing throughout history. I think that a "prolepticist" might describe him better than simply futurist. He does come down on the side of "a-millenialism", but supports his conclusions well. Richard Bauckham recommended this book to me and said it is "reliable." I would say that is true and may be somewhat of an understatement. This work is exhaustive and it has many Greek discussions and a little Hebrew, but Beale does translate all Greek words and sentences immediately after the Greek sentence is laid out. There are some complicated text critical discussions, but this type of thing is always after the main discussion so that it is not mixed in, interrupting the flow of thought. If I could change one thing in the book it would be that Beale or the editors of this commentary series would have provided as translation that introduced each section. I do recommend this book for everyone who has been exposed to a theological education. It would be a difficult work to cut your teeth on if you are just getting into Biblical studies, but for those who have some training this book is great.
Very, very fast service!!.......2007-01-20
Thanks so much for your quick service! We were very pleasantly surprised that the book came so fast! Great job!
One of the very best commentaries on Revelation.......2006-10-03
This is one of the best commentaries on Revelation written by a notable evangelical scholar. As other reviewers have noted, Dr. Beale writes from an Amillennial perspective. I own many commentaries on Revelation and this is one of the very best, incorporating all of the latest studies. One of the richest and most helpful aspects of this commentary is Beale's in depth analysis of Revelation, tracing the words and passages back to the O.T. prophecies/ O.T. Scriptural context and Jewish religious/ cultural background. The reader receives a much greater appreciation for the continuity of prophecy and apocalyptic, from the O.T. to the N.T. Dr. Beale does a marvelous job of discussing all the pertinent issues, leaving no stone unturned; he interacts well with different perspectives (e.g. premillennial, amillennial) and displays a deep understanding of the most recent research on Revelation in scholarly circles. This has been one of the most helpful commentaries in my study of the book of Revelation, even though I hold to the premillennial viewpoint rather than the amillennial viewpoint. Highly recommended!!
Beale Set Me On Fire for Revelation Study & Preaching.......2006-09-03
I pastor a church (10+ yrs now) about 2 hours from Wheaton College where Beale currently teaches. I audited his Spring 2006 course on Revelation in Greek. I have to say that the man is on fire for God's word. He's got a contagious zeal for the book of Revelation. We had a Greek student (from Greece) in class and visitors from Greece. Apparently they like him a lot.
His exegetical method weighs heavily on a unique approach that includes a relatively rare Discourse Analysis process that Wheaton and about 6 other schools now teach in their Biblical Interpretations Courses. I think someone at Fuller developed it. The Discourse Analysis process is a nice addition to the regular NT Exegesis that Gordon Fee has outlined for everyone in "NT Exegesis". It seems to help the students catch the flow of the text and to connect ideas in a more complex and systematic way than a regular flow analysis.
The linkages to the OT Prophetic books are overwhelming. Beale literally drips with quotations...his live course is about the same as the book. Just compare the quotes on one of his pages to any other commentary and you get way more for your money with Beale.
If you are preaching through Revelation, get Beale and Poythress (The Returning King). I recommend Poythress' outline for a sermon series...and Beale for more exegetical tips and references than you could possibly study for a typical sermon in a week. If you don't know Greek, then Poythress will really help you. His outlines preach well. My main criticism of Beale's work is that his Exegetical Summaries for each section sound very much like a summary that a scholar who does not have to speak to regular folks very often would give. It's not preachable...you will have to rework it to keep people with you if you are preaching. That's why Poythress is great...he gives preachable phrases that harmonize well with Beale's material.
I think a reviewers' criticism of Beale's failure to interact as clearly with the Preterist is accurate. I don't think Beale needs to interact with them as the reviewer claims. Beale's reasons for rejecting the Preterists approach are solid and difficult to get past (he convinced me). For example, he sees a problem with substituting a world-wide judgement with what happened in Jerusalem. He doesn't think the text warrants that sort of conclusion. He sees a problem with denying a phsyical resurrection. Because of these reasons, (and he has others listed in his book as well), he chooses to interact with the Premillenial view more.
I think another book that must be recognized by Revelation students is Regnum Caloreum (see my review on that). He also interacts a lot with Osborne. He recommends Regnum Caloreum and Poythress among other commentators. He seems to interact the most with Mounce, Osborne, Aune, Smalley to name a few.
I think that the argument one reviewer criticizes on 'show' in Revelation 1:1 is convincing (the other reviewer says it is confusing...but it really is quite simple) when we look at the useage of 'SEMAINW' throughout the NT-and the stuff of Revelation itself. One clear example of this is the famous use of the term in John 3:14-16 where Jesus interprets the symbol from the desert story about the serpent on a pole being lifted up to provide healing for all who look on it. I cannot recall if Beale uses that exact illustration, but that is the sort of thing he does throughout this book. Sometimes you do have to read slowly to really grasp what he is saying...because he's quite technical.
Also-Beale makes a case for a strong link to Daniel. He wrote a book about this. Really his case in the NIGTC Revelation rests on that as well. He builds a very strong case for tying the book of Revelation to the Daniel 2:29-45 dream story about Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel. He shows that phrase in Revelation 1:1; 4:1, and 22:6 'hA Dei Genesthai...' is found only in Daniel 2:28/29 Theo and Daniel 2:45. This grammatically points Revelation 1:1; 4:1 and 22:6 to the dream Daniel interpreted for Nebuchadnezzar...and is therefore an interpretive key to Revelation. The Kingdom which Nebuchadnezzar sees starting during the reign of the Roman Empire Kings (if we follow the typical view on that dream)...is that the Kingdom of God which will never end is NOT something of the future only...it is something that has started...inaugurated by Jesus Christ Himself and will ultimately culminate in the justice of all wrongs and the new Jerusalem/new community.
So Beale really is laying out a case for an "Inaugurated Kingdom" which began in the first century...and is prophetically and apocalyptically portrayed in Revelation. This "Inaugurated Kingdom" is expanding and will never be overthrown.
The densely packed inferences to OT and Jewish apocalypic literature reinforces the fact that John is portraying the coming Kingdom has now come. The grammatical links to Daniel 2 matching the beginning and end of a story has a similar feeling the the phrase 'In the beginning'...which reminds the reader who knows the bible of two passages...Genesis 1:1 and John 1:1. The fact that there are connections between those two passages should not be lost. Similarly there are links between Daniel 2 and Revelation...not only in the verses quoted...but throughout the entire book. Revelation 1:1, 4:1 and 22:6 all point to Daniel 2:28/45 in the exact way that John 1:1 points to Genesis 1:1. The three word phrase is a direct quote. In Revelation 1, 4 and 22 these are the only places in the entire LXX/GNT where the phrase is quoted from Daniel 2.
I think if you read him with a hungry and open heart you will catch fire for the most complex and detailed work of the New Testament...the book of Revelation.
Beale's capturing of extensive extrabiblical references to support the inferences from OT scripture is also overwhelming.
He contends, successfully, in my view, that the OT is consistently interpreted with the same hermeneutic that is recommended today. He's very good. I have to say that he is a scholar's scholar. Tough to disprove and no one can ignore him on the book of Revelation and maintain a convincing argument. Many fail to convincingly refute him. Many of his points are overwhelmingly convincing...some are not as powerful, but his overall perspective won over every single student in our class (that I could see) and there were some of the sharpest students I've ever sat with in that class. The material in this book is essentially what we studied...so I would not be surprised if you are not stretched beyond normal for a commentary of this sort.
You will use it over and over if you buy it. I heartily give this one a five star rating.
Beale is good at what is Beale good at.......2006-01-24
I disagree with mr. Bultman that Ken Gentry will prove able to settle 1 century influence on John's thought the way it has already been done by David Aune (which I would give 5 stars). Beale also uncritically seams to assume connections between the jewish exegetical inheritance which may be dated between 1 and 7 centuries after John wrote. For many verses you will find Aune come up with a more plausible background, closer to John and yet accounting for the OT receptive history. Yet the knowledge of the jewish background of Beale is, as the cover says and I experienced, unrivaled. So although the connections are based on hypothetical continuity between OT scripture and targumic/midrashic scripture, Beale has here a strong case for this continuity. Apocalypse's style, content, expectation and religion of John may very well be the best we have to sketch out that bridge. Since I'm no preterist, I don't have a problem with his eschatology, but I do believe we need both Beale and Aune.
Customer Reviews:
The book to get..........2007-09-14
...if you want to understand the book of Revelation. Macarthur breaks it down verse by verse and explains it in a way that is easy to understand. It's no nonsense, but still very enjoyable to read.
Fast delivery, book in excellent shape.......2007-07-31
The book was delivered in a very short time and it was in excellent condition. Thank you!
Insightful; essential for Bible study.......2007-07-06
Revelation is a tough book to understand, but this book had some great insight and it really helped to show the broad context of revelation within the rest of the Bible.
MacArthur also has a good way of dealing with passages that are interpreted different ways (or controversial), he explains that one may interpret the passage as such and such but there is more evidence for a certain interpretation and he explains the evidence.
Finally, his exegetical insight is great; such as the order of the letters to the churches is in the order a messenger would travel to those cities on the postal route of the day.
This book is highly recommended for anyone studying the Bible.
Delibery.......2007-05-12
The book I ordered came right on time and in good condition. I am very pleased with the transaction.
Abridged commentary with solid exegesis and careful detail.......2007-03-24
This book is an abridged version of Dr. MacArthur's two-volume Revelation commentary. In this book, he takes a verse-by-verse exegetical walkthrough of the book of Revelation using the consistent contextual-literal hermeneutic one would expect from Dr. MacArthur. (Perhaps a more appropriate label for "contextual-literal" would be the "historical-grammatical context" - that is, "How would the original audience have understood the passage in question?")
This is a great read for the layperson interested in understanding the events foretold by the Holy Spirit through the apostle John in the book of Revelation, as well as for those interested in how a consistent hermeneutic interprets the book of Revelation.
It is also highly recommended for those curious how pre-millennialists interpret Revelation and understand the events of the end times to unfold, as MacArthur's writing is clear, concise, and yet respectful toward brethren of other millennial mindsets while clearly laying out verse by verse what the Scripture says.
As Christian theologians of every millennial leaning tend to agree (including those who ascribe to post-millennial or a-millennial points of view), using a consistent hermeneutic through all of Scripture will lead one to a pre-millennial point of view. Given MacAthur's conviction for a consistent approach to the interpretation of Scripture, you will find his perspective is very much pre-millennial (as opposed to post-millennial, a-millennial, preterist, etc).
Yet when it comes to the most difficult passages to interpret, he avoids making the rash presuppositions and outlandish interpretations that one would find characteristic of the 'Left Behind' crowd. (Perhaps it is irony then that Tim LaHaye provides one of the supporting quotes on the back cover.) I find this one of the most attractive things about the book: I could give this book to anyone with an interest in Revelation with the confidence that the content will educate them on the basics, encourage them to study further, and effect a greater love for the Word of God.
As with his other books, it is written in an easy-to-read style (and typeface) that packs a lot of content yet doesn't tire the mind ( or the eyes). His average book seems to come in around 200-250 pages; this one is slightly longer at 338 pages, but thankfully so as the subject matter warrants every page. At no time did it seem overly verbose for the sake of length - a couple times I would have appreciated even more depth (though for that one can purchase the full-length, two-volume commentary).
Books:
- The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil
- The Mystery Method: How to Get Beautiful Women Into Bed
- The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge: An easy-to-use one-volume library for Bible study and lesson preparation.
- The Place We Call Home: Exploring the Soul's Existence after Death
- The Practice of Dzogchen
- The Quest
- The Secret
- The Seduction of Christianity
- The Simplest Path to Personal and Planetary Awakening, Step One: FREE YOUR MIND: 10 Keys for Unlocking Your Personal Potential, Achieving Spiritual Awakening, ... of Humanity's Ultimate Cosmic Destiny
- The Sixty-Second Motivator
Books Index
Books Home
Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism
Hail, Holy Queen
Lord, Have Mercy: The Healing Power of Confession
Reasons to Believe: How to Understand, Explain, and Defend the Catholic Faith
A Father Who Keeps His Promises: God's Covenant Love in Scripture
