An apocalypse for the church and for the world : the narrative function of universal language in the book of Revelation / Ronald Herms.

Format:

Book

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

Herms, Ronald.

Series:

Beihefte zur Zeitschrift fur die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft und die Kunde der alteren Kirche ; Beiheft 143.

Beihefte zur Zeitschrift fur die neutestamentliche Wissenschaft und die Kunde der alteren Kirche, 0171-6441 ; Bd. 143

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Apocalyptic literature--Comparative studies.

Apocalyptic literature.

Bible. N.T. Revelation--Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bible.

Bible. N.T. Revelation--Language, style.

Physical Description:

xv, 299 p.

Place of Publication:

Berlin ; New York : W. de Gruyter, c2006.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Front matter

Preface

Table of Contents

Publication Abbreviations

Chapter One. Introduction

Chapter Two. Early Jewish Literature

Chapter Three. Preliminary Matters in the Book of Revelation

Chapter Four. Universal Traditions in the Book of Revelation

Chapter Five. Synthesis and Conclusions

Bibliography

Index of Authors

Index of Topics

Index of References

Notes:

Dissertation University of Durham (England) 2005.

Originally presented as the author's thesis (doctoral)--Durham University.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [262]-272) and indexes.

ISBN:

9783110914511

3110914514

OCLC:

979850392