Revelations: Visions, Prophecy, and Politics in the Book of Revelation
- ISBN-10
- 110157707X
- ISBN-13
- 9781101577073
- Series
- Revelations
- Category
- Religion
- Pages
- 256
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2012-03-06
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Author
- Elaine Pagels
Description
A startling exploration of the history of the most controversial book of the Bible, by the bestselling author of Beyond Belief. Through the bestselling books of Elaine Pagels, thousands of readers have come to know and treasure the suppressed biblical texts known as the Gnostic Gospels. As one of the world's foremost religion scholars, she has been a pioneer in interpreting these books and illuminating their place in the early history of Christianity. Her new book, however, tackles a text that is firmly, dramatically within the New Testament canon: The Book of Revelation, the surreal apocalyptic vision of the end of the world . . . or is it? In this startling and timely book, Pagels returns The Book of Revelation to its historical origin, written as its author John of Patmos took aim at the Roman Empire after what is now known as "the Jewish War," in 66 CE. Militant Jews in Jerusalem, fired with religious fervor, waged an all-out war against Rome's occupation of Judea and their defeat resulted in the desecration of Jerusalem and its Great Temple. Pagels persuasively interprets Revelation as a scathing attack on the decadence of Rome. Soon after, however, a new sect known as "Christians" seized on John's text as a weapon against heresy and infidels of all kinds-Jews, even Christians who dissented from their increasingly rigid doctrines and hierarchies. In a time when global religious violence surges, Revelations explores how often those in power throughout history have sought to force "God's enemies" to submit or be killed. It is sure to appeal to Pagels's committed readers and bring her a whole new audience who want to understand the roots of dissent, violence, and division in the world's religions, and to appreciate the lasting appeal of this extraordinary text.
Get the book
Other editions
-
- 2013
- 244 pages
- Paperback
- Penguin
Similar books
-
Revelation
The final book of the Bible, Revelation prophesies the ultimate judgement of mankind in a series of allegorical visions, grisly images and numerological predictions.
-
Holy Bible (NIV)
By , Various AuthorsThe NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978.
-
The Message of the Book of Revelation
By Charles T. ChapmanThose people versed in the methods of scholarly interpretation (exegesis) may understand the symbolism of this work, but what about the general reader?
-
The Book of Revelation
By Rupert ThomsonOn a bright spring day in Amsterdam a man goes out to buy a packet of cigarettes.
-
Revelations
By Douglas E. WinterRevelations is a unique publishing event -- a visionary collaborative epic novel by today's bestselling and most respected dark fantasy authors.
-
The Book of Revelation Decoded: Your Guide to Understanding the End Times Through the Eyes of the Hebrew Prophets
By Rabbi K. A. SchneiderAs the world grows darker and darker, many people have a sense of impending doom. This book will teach you what to expect during the last days and how to stand firm in Christ even in the face of opposition.
-
The Book of Revelation
By G. K. Beale6:4–7:2; four angels continually restrain four winds of destruction in Questions of Bartholomew 4.31-34 [NTA I, 547f.]). Mounce, followed by omas, rejects the identication of “the four winds” of 7:1 with the horsemen of 6:2-8, ...
-
Reading the Book of Revelation: A Resource for Students
By David L. BarrShows how diverse methods produce divergent readings of a text. Paperback edition available from the Society of Biblical Literature (www.sbl-site.org).
-
The Rapture Exposed: The Message of Hope in the Book of Revelation
By Barbara R. RossingThe Rapture Exposed reclaims Christianity from fundamentalists' destructive reading of the biblical story and back into God's beloved community.
-
Breaking the Code - Participant's Book: Understanding the Book of Revelation
By Bruce M. MetzgerBreaking the Code provides a trustworthy guide to the rich symbolism of this important biblical book. Noted biblical scholar Bruce M. Metzger presents the fruits of solid scholarship in a non-academic style.