Reading Revelation
This is the last post in this “5 Books” series! Thankfully, there are loads of interesting and helpful books out there to counteract and correct bizarre (but popular) interpretations of Revelation.
Michael Gorman, Reading Revelation Responsibly
This is easily the first thing I recommend to pastors and students wanting to study Revelation. In a relatively small space, Gorman covers the basics well with style.
Reading Revelation in Context
It is crucial to read Revelation in its first century setting. This set of short essays is designed to help students do that.
Brian Blount, Can I Get a Witness? Reading Revelation through African American Culture
Blount is a top-notch biblical scholar; here he looks at the role Revelation has played in African American history as a theological voice of resistance to destructive power.
Richard Hays and Stefan Alkier, ed. Revelation and the Politics of Apocalyptic Interpretation
A set of studies in Revelation from respected NT scholars including Michael Gorman, Richard Hays, Tobias Nicklas, NT Wright, and Marianne Meye Thompson.
Richard Bauckham, The Theology of the Book of Revelation
Widely considered the leading study on the theology of Revelation.
BONUS RESOURCE!
Bruce Metzger and David deSilva, Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation
Also check out deSilva’s short study on Revelation called Unholy Allegiances.
Book Notice: Coming Soon!
I just noticed coming this winter is the Oxford Handbook of the Book of Revelation. This volume will be quite expensive ($150), and at a higher academic level than the above books, but I am excited because these Oxford Handbooks are outstanding. This book will reflect the state of the academic discussion of Revelation. Here is a sneak peek at the TOC:
1. Introduction to Revelation’s Social Setting, Theological Perspective, and Literary Design
Craig R. Koester
I. Literary Features of the Book of Revelation
2. The Genre of the Book of Revelation
Mitchell G. Reddish
3. Narrative Features of the Book of Revelation
James L. Resseguie
4. Imagery in the Book of Revelation
Konrad Huber
5. Rhetorical Features of the Book of Revelation
David A. deSilva
6. The Use of the Old Testament in the Book of Revelation
Steve Moyise
7. Revelation’s Use of the Greek Language
David Mathewson
8. The Hymns in the Book of Revelation
Justin P. Jeffcoat Schedtler
II. Social Setting
9. Christianity and Roman Rule in First-Century Asia Minor
Warren Carter
10. Relationships among Jesus Followers and Jewish Communities in First-Century Asia Minor
Mikael Tellbe
11. Greco-Roman Religions and the Context of Revelation
Richard Ascough
12. John’s Apocalypse in Relation to Johannine, Pauline, and Other Forms of Christianity in Asia Minor
Paul Trebilco
III. Theology and Ethics
13. God in the Book of Revelation
Martin Karrer
14. Jesus in the Book of Revelation
Loren L. Johns
15. The Spirit in the Book of Revelation
John Christopher Thomas
16. Creation and New Creation in the Book of Revelation
Mark B. Stephens
17. Perspectives on Evil in the Book of Revelation
Gregory Stevenson
18. Violence in the Book of Revelation
David L. Barr
19. The City-Women Babylon and New Jerusalem in the Book of Revelation
Lynn Huber
20. The People of God in the Book of Revelation
Peter S. Perry
IV. History of Reception and Influence
21. The Greek Text of Revelation
Juan Hernández
22. The Book of Revelation in the New Testament Canon
Tobias Nicklas
23. Reception History and the Interpretation of Revelation
Ian Boxall
24. The Interpretation of the Book of Revelation in Early Christianity
Charles Hill
25. The Interpretation of John’s Apocalypse in the Medieval Period
Julia Eve Wannenmacher
26. Revelation in Music and Liturgy
Paul Westermeyer
27. Forms of Futuristic Interpretation of Revelation in the Modern Period
Joshua T. Searle with Kenneth Newport
V. Currents in Interpretation
28. Feminist Interpretation of the Book of Revelation
Susan Hylen
29. Interpreting Revelation through African American Cultural Studies
Thomas B. Slater
30. Post-colonial Interpretation of the Book of Revelation
Harry O. Maier