Reading the Book of Revelation: A Resource for Students / Edition 1

by David L. Barr

Overview

American scholars of religion introduce some of the various methods used to read the Book of Revelation today, and how they elicit a variety of meaningful interpretations. Demonstrating historical, literary, social, philosophical, ethical, political, and cultural approaches, they discuss reading Revelation for its plot, ordinary lives, a tale of two cities and at least three women, moral issues, process hermeneutic, a postcolonial exploration, spirit possession, and popular culture. A conclusion identifies questions and criteria for choosing between readings. The Society of Biblical Literature publishes the book and distributes the paperbound edition (1-58983-056-3); Brill distributes the clothbound edition. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Product Details

ISBN-13:	2901589830560
Publisher:	Society of Biblical Literature
Publication date:	09/28/2003
Series:	Resources for Biblical Study Series
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	212
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

David L. Barr, Ph.D. (1974) in Humanities/Religion, Florida State University, is Professor of Religion at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio.

Table of Contents

	List of Abbreviations	vii
	Introduction: Reading Revelation Today: Consensus and Innovations	1
1.	The Story John Told: Reading Revelation for Its Plot	11
2.	Ordinary Lives: John and His First Readers	25
3.	The Beast from the Land: Revelation 13:11-18 and Social Setting	49
4.	Wolves in Sheep's Clothing: Literary Opposition and Social Tension in the Revelation of John	65
5.	A Tale of Two Cities and (At Least) Three Women: Transformation, Continuity, and Contrast in the Apocalypse	81
6.	Doing Violence: Moral Issues in Reading John's Apocalypse	97
7.	Undercurrents and Paradoxes: The Apocalypse to John in Process Hermeneutic	109
8.	Taking a Stand on the Sand of the Seashore: A Postcolonial Exploration of Revelation 13	119
9.	Spirit Possession: Revelation in Religious Studies	137
10.	The Lion/Lamb King: Reading the Apocalypse from Popular Culture	151
	Conclusion: Choosing between Readings: Questions and Criteria	163
	Bibliography	173
	Contributors	181
	Index of Ancient Sources	183
	Index of Modern Authors	191
	Subject Index	195