Revelation: An Image-Rich Ancient Book of Comfort
23 Apr 2007
My friend Winn Griffin, who was in my D.Min programme, and has a previous doctorate in biblical, studies and was John Wimber’s ghost writer, has just launched an online study series on the book of revelation, that works via a blog. With an ear/eye to emerging cultural, a sharp biblically literate mind, this should be a a great resource for anyone wanting to get into Revelation.
Below are some highlights of the blog/teaching series:
* Good Folks See Things Differently!
There is often more heat than light about the Book of Revelation.
* Apocalyptic What?
A discussion about the what kind of Ancient Literature Revelation is.
* Four Ways to Interpret Revelation
If you have ever wondered why there are so many different views of Revelation, this will help.
* What do those BIG words mean?
A discussion of words like Preillennium, Postmillennium, and Amillennium.
* Jesus: A Vivid Word Picture
John’s description of Jesus.
* Reading the Church’s Mail
Jesus’ view of the Ancient Church when it had not followed its mission.
* Who’s In Charge?
God is always the main actor in this play.
* Before and After
A look at the 144,000.
* The Temple is How Big?
The measuring of the Temple.
* 666666: What does this number mean?
What does this number mean?
* Your Kingdom Come!
A discussion about the consumation of the Kingdom.
* A Millennium is How Long?
Should this number be taken literally?
* New Heaven and Earth: Such a Cool Place
Looking at the way the Holy Spirit acts on behalf of God’s people.
Tagged: Bible, Resources, Revelation, Theology, Winn-Griffin
6 comments
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Comment by steven hamilton
5.54 pm on 23 Apr 2007
o yeah…bring on that apocalyptic literature
spark my soul and imagination with eternal words uttered by the Alpha and Omega
i am definitely joining…thanks jason for the head’s up.
Comment by dan brown
4.10 am on 24 Apr 2007
Our men’s group did a study on Revelation two years ago which I went into with great tripitation as a result of the Left Behind series. It turned out to be a wonderful study. The commentary that I found most useful was A Commentary on the Revelation of John, George Eldon Ladd. The introduction is the best concise outline of the context, methods of intrpretation, including preterist, historical, idealist, futurist and structure. Ladd held to a blending of preterist and the futurist methods. Ladd would have been an even more esteemed theologolian had he not had to spend so much of his career defending that the beast is both Rome and the eschatogical Antichrist and, he would add, any demonic power which the church must face in her entire history. He also defended the great tribulation as primarily an eschatological event, but it includes all tribulation which the church may experience at the hands of the world, whether 1st century Rome or by later evil powers. I will not bore you at this time as to how this interpretation is born out by several objective facts. I am interested to hear what an informed intrepreter of the book of Revelation has to share.
Comment by marc
9.42 am on 24 Apr 2007
I’ve signed up for this. It looks good.
Comment by James Prescott
10.40 am on 24 Apr 2007
Revelation is one of the most awesome books of the Bible, and it seems one of the least talked about in church. Is that becuase people are afraid to talk about it? Is it because it is a prophecy about what will happen and people don’t like to think about it or consider it? It displays so much of the wonder and awe of God, some of things described are simply incredible and can just leave us open-mouthed and humbled, compelled to bow down and worship. It reminds us what a great God we have. I will make sure I sign up for for this. Outside of that, I say talk about it more in church!
Comment by graham
11.28 am on 25 Apr 2007
Jason, do you know if he’ll be explicitly addressing the question of violence/non-violence in Revelation?
In the light of Left Behind (not to mention the original historical context(s)), that’s surely one of the most pressing questions for contemporary exegetes and communities to consider.
Comment by steven hamilton
2.03 pm on 26 Apr 2007
graham…i have found some of the violence/non-violence issues wrestled with in a worhty way in the writings of jacques ellul. the last chapters of his book, ‘the politics of jesus’ deal with this, as does his commentray on revelation called, ‘the apocalypse’…i believe he touches on the issues as well in ‘the subversion of christianity’. jacques has his problems (don’t we all?), but i found his writings help me think through these tough issues…
anyway, just a recommendation…
peace
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