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Roadmap, myth, or history? The Book of Revelation draws readers and repels them. It offers some people hope and instills fear in others. In this volume of the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars series Frederick W. Schmidt, also the series editor, explores the approaches that have dominated the interpretation of John’s Apocalypse and offers the reader an accessible means of understanding and evaluating them. With this grounding in hand, Schmidt explores how Revelation can shape our understanding of God, and nurture our spiritual lives in unexpected ways.
Leaving behind left-behind theology, Schmidt offers instead an approach that allows this obscure, almost opaque text to speak to us anew about God, faith, hope, and justice.
Books in this series, co-sponsored by the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars, are written in accessible language, sensitive to the needs of people who have little or no experience in reading the Bible. Each book focuses on exploring the historical and critical background, as well as how the biblical texts written centuries ago can still speak to readers today.
"If ever theological scholarship met the laity with grace and respect, it is here in this volume.
And if the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars/ "Conversations with Scripture" Series, edited by Frederick Schmidt, can achieve the passion and the simplicity and the excitement of Schmidt's own contribution to the Series in his Revelation, interested readers, be they Anglican or otherwise, will be infinitely richer in imagination as well as substance.
I was charmed; I was instructed; I was deeply, deeply comforted by this book. Buy it, read it, and then take it to your heart for understanding."--Phyllis Tickle, compiler, The Divine Hours
"This is an important start to a most welcome series. Schmidt is a gracious and experienced teacher. He knows what false expectations his readers are likely to bring to the reading of Revelation, and offers just what we need for an encounter with the book that is honest to the text and to ourselves. It will, thanks to Schmidt, be a challenging
encounter too; as he makes clear, the choices that faced Revelation's first audiences face us, when we read it, as starkly today. Schmidt's book will be widely used; and deserves to be." -Robin Griffin-Jones, author of The Gospel According to Paul: The Creative Genius Who Brought Jesus to the World
"For many years now church leaders have been complaining that the biblical literacy of most denominations is falling. While that fact is not in dispute, what to do about it is a perennial debate. Now we may have an answer. Conversations with Scripture is a new series that is accessible, well written and intelligent. If we need to help people open
the Bible, this series one of the most effective efforts we have made in a generation." -The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, President and Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School
"An exciting new resource in the area of Adult Christian Formation, Frederick W. Schmidt's Revelation is smart and accessible. The sidebar definitions, suggested resources and accompanying study questions provide clear guideposts into the not often entered world of apocalyptic literature. With a keen sense of Anglican theological heritage, Schmidt creates a welcome mat and friendly companion on the road to a more intimate knowledge of God's revelation through scripture. His use of personal anecdotes, fine scholarship and conversational tone make this debut volume in the Conversations With Scripture series a compelling read and bible study resource for laypeople. A sure success for parish based study groups." -The Rev. Canon Anne E. Kitch, Canon for Christian Formation at the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in the Diocese of Bethlehem and author of The Anglican Family Prayer Book
"This amazing Transforming book is the first in a projected series of biblical studies featuring what the author terms 'a distinctively Anglican approach to Scripture'. The book is an exciting and illuminating journey."--Episcopal Life, September 2005
"There are helpful sidebars, chapter notes and a list of further readings and conversations after each chapter. Church librarians will want to monitor this series."-Church and Synagogue Library Association, July / August 2006
"A succinct commentary on the text of Revelation follows, with a set of helpful study questions concluding it. The overall book would help any Christian community come to grips with the meaning of this unique New Testament book."--The Bible Today, July/august 2007
