Imperial Cults and the Apocalypse of John

Author: Steven J. Friesen
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0195131533
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 300

Book Description
After more than a century of debate about the significance of imperial cults for the interpretation of Revelation, this is the first study to examine both the archaeological evidence and the Biblical text in depth. Friesen argues that a detailed analysis of imperial cults as they were practiced in the first century CE in the region where John was active allows us to understand John's criticism of his society's dominant values. He demonstrates the importance of imperial cults for society at the time when Revelation was written, and shows the ways in which John refuted imperial cosmology through his use of vision, myth, and eschatological expectation.

Imperial Cult and Commerce in John's Apocalypse

Author: J. Nelson Kraybill
Publisher: A&C Black
ISBN: 1850756163
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 267

Book Description
Drawing evidence from ancient literature, coins, inscriptions and artwork, Kraybill points to the penetration of the Roman imperial cult (emperor worship) into commercial settings as a primary concern of the Apocalypse. By the time John was on Patmos, people in Asia Minor could not 'buy or sell' without giving idolatrous allegiance to Rome. Imperial cult and commerce blended in guild halls, the banking industry and the market place. John calls readers to 'come out from' pagan loyalties of Roman imperial society and give full allegiance to a New Jerusalem of justice and equality under the rule of Christ.

The Lamb Christology of the Apocalypse of John

Author: Loren L. Johns
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1625646976
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 309

Book Description
Revision of the author's thesis (Ph.D.)--Princeton Theological Seminary, 1998.

Reading Revelation

Author: Joseph L. Trafton
Publisher: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 9781573122894
Category : Bible
Languages : en
Pages : 244

Book Description
"Trafton has produced a clear, understandable, insightful reading of the book of Revelation - not an easy task for a book that has left many readers puzzled and confused. One of the particular strengths of Trafton's commentary is his close attention to the structure of John's work and the internal connections between various passages of the book. Readers will also benefit from Trafton's identification of John's extensive indebtedness to the Hebrew Bible for much of his imagery and ideas." - Mitchell G. Reddish O.L. Walker Professor of Christian Studies and Chair, Department of Religious Studies Stetson University

Johannine Writings and Apocalyptic

Author: Stanley E. Porter
Publisher: BRILL
ISBN: 9004254870
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 361

Book Description
Johannine Writings and Apocalyptic provides a wide-ranging and thorough annotated bibliography for John's Gospel, the Johannine letters, Revelation, and apocalyptic writings pertinent to these books. More inclusive than many other bibliographies, this volume provides reference to over 1300 individual entries, often including references to multiple works with a given description. Annotations are designed to provide guidance to a wide range of readers, from students wishing to gain entry to the subject to graduate students engaging in research to professors needing ready access to useful materials. The volume is topically organized and indexed for easy access.

The Encyclopedia of Christianity

Author: Erwin Fahlbusch
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 9789004145955
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 994

Book Description
Containing more than 300 articles, covering the alphabetical entries P-Sh, this book also includes articles on significant topics ranging from Paul, political theology and the Qur'an, to religious liberty, salvation history and scholasticism.

Rhetoric of Digressions

Author: Peter S. Perry
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1498200567
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 309

Book Description
Revelation 7:1-17 occurs between the opening of the sixth and seventh seal and Rev 10:1-11:13 between the sixth and seventh trumpet blasts. Interpreters often explain these passages as "interludes," "parentheses," or "expansions," but not in terms of ancient communication. Peter S. Perry analyzes these interruptions in the seals and trumpets in light of digressions in ancient rhetorical theory and practice. Digressions are described by Hermagoras, Cicero, and Quintilian and widely used, including in Josephus' works, Jubilees, Sibylline Oracles I/II, Zechariah, and Exodus. As with other ancient digressions, Rev 7:1-17 and 10:1-11:13 are unessential to the logical flow but essential to the book's impact. These passages excite the emotions, shape character, and give insight into John's rhetorical strategy and goals.

Revelation as Civil Disobedience

Author: Prof. Thomas B. Slater
Publisher: Abingdon Press
ISBN: 1501841750
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 159

Book Description
The book of Revelation is a form of civil disobedience that focuses upon sustaining a faithful witness in spite of the consequences. The author defines civil disobedience as resisting unjust laws in nonviolent ways even if it means the potential death of the protestor (e.g., Rev. 12:11). Along those same lines, the book also redefines conquering as sustaining a faithful witness under duress, modeled after the faithfulness of Jesus, even to death (e.g., 1:5; 2:10, 26-28; 6:9-11; 14:12; 20:4). Even when resistance is expressed in military terms, Christians never take up arms (e.g., Rev 12:7-12; 14:1-5; 19:11-21) but overcome evil through their faithful witness. Slater argues, for example, that Rev 19:21 symbolically refers to a powerful spoken witness that defeats evil. This study develops a way for Christians to read and appreciate the book of Revelation. Many decry the violent nature of the book without noting that Christians are never encouraged to take up arms. Along those same lines, many laypersons see the book as a justification for military intervention against Satan and his minions. They too miss the fact that the book of Revelation never tells Christians to arm themselves. Rather, Christians defeat evil by witnessing faithfully. Both sides would be challenged to rethink and reassess their respective positions given the stress on faithful witness in the book.

The Pith of the Apocalypse

Author: Paul A. Rainbow
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1498275184
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 145

Book Description
To serve God and Christ faithfully in the midst of a pagan society that exalts power, wealth, and pleasure is the tenor of the prophetic summons to the church in the book of Revelation. Unfortunately, this simple message, as potent today as it was at the end of the first century, is often obscured by misguided, if sincere, interpreters. The present book explores the background issues and lays out the principles that inform a sound approach to this enigmatic writing: its historical and cultural setting, its literary structure, its symbolic code, its core theological concepts, its scheme of last things, and its preachable and teachable points. In dialogue with dispensationalism on the one hand and with the skeptical criticism of it on the other, The Pith of the Apocalypse derives clues for cracking the Apocalypse from the book itself, viewed against the sweep of the biblical prophetic tradition that flowed into it, through the lens of methods widely accepted in mainstream New Testament scholarship. Readers will return to the book of Revelation itself with enhanced confidence, penetration, and understanding.

An Introduction to the New Testament

Author: David A. deSilva
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 0830874003
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 898

Book Description
This comprehensive New Testament introduction not only outlines historical, social, cultural, and rhetorical contexts, but it also points students preparing for ministry to relevant facets of biblical interpretation. Brimming with maps, photos, points of interest, and aids to learning, this beautiful, full-color second edition of an established textbook is the first choice for those who want to integrate scholarship and ministry.