An Apocalypse for the Church and for the World : The Narrative Function of Universal Language in the Book of Revelation

Ronald Herms

ISBN 10: 3110193124 / ISBN 13: 9783110193121

Published by De Gruyter, 2006

About this Item

Druck auf Anfrage Neuware - Printed after ordering - This monograph examines the problem of universally inclusive language in the book of Revelation and the resulting narrative tension created by narrowly exclusive language. Analysis is conducted by placing relevant texts within their literary-narrative context and through consideration of how the author understood and appropriated biblical traditions. A key feature of this study is its examination of four early Jewish documents with significant similarities to the problem being examined in Revelation. From these documents (Tobit; Similitudes of Enoch [1 Enoch 37-71]; 4 Ezra; and, Animal Apocalypse [1 Enoch 85-90]) a contextual picture emerges which allows a fuller understanding of Revelation's distinctive approach toward the problem of the fate of the nations. This study contends that the interpretive strategies applied to biblical traditions in Revelation have their roots in the wider early Jewish milieu. From this comparative analysis, identifiable patterns with regard to the role of 'universal terminology' in the communicative strategy of John's Apocalypse emerge.

Seller Inventory # 9783110193121

Bibliographic Details

• Title: An Apocalypse for the Church and for the World : The Narrative Function of Universal Language in the Book of Revelation
• Publisher: De Gruyter
• Publication Date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3110193124
• ISBN 13: 9783110193121
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 236W x 160H x 22D millimeters 236 millimeters width by 160 millimeters height by 22 millimeters depth
• Weight: 627 grams

About this title

Synopsis

This monograph examines the problem of universally inclusive language in the book of Revelation and the resulting narrative tension created by narrowly exclusive language. Analysis is conducted by placing relevant texts within their literary-narrative context and through consideration of how the author understood and appropriated biblical traditions. A key feature of this study is its examination of four early Jewish documents with significant similarities to the problem being examined in Revelation. From these documents (Tobit; Similitudes of Enoch [1 Enoch 37-71]; 4 Ezra; and, Animal Apocalypse [1 Enoch 85-90]) a contextual picture emerges which allows a fuller understanding of Revelation’s distinctive approach toward the problem of the fate of the nations. This study contends that the interpretive strategies applied to biblical traditions in Revelation have their roots in the wider early Jewish milieu. From this comparative analysis, identifiable patterns with regard to the role of ‘universal terminology’ in the communicative strategy of John’s Apocalypse emerge.

About the Author

Ronald Herms, Northwest University, Kirkland (WA), USA.