Here’s an opportunity. Interested in reading the draft of my book on the Apocalypse of John (tentatively titled: Expecting Armageddon)? I’m giving people the chance to do it as a fundraising effort for the blog.
As most of you probably know, I’m now finishing up the book. I’ve been working on it for about three years and as of yesterday have all the chapters drafted. The first half of the book deals with how the book of Revelation is typically read. Most people don’t read it, of course: too weird or scary! Those who do read it almost always suppose that it is talking about what will happen soon in our own future. I will be arguing that this view is absolutely wrong and sometimes (literally) disastrous.
The second half of the book will be dealing with what Revelation actually does reveal (if not our future). It has a distinctive image of God, of humans, and of the world that many people find disturbing, and it’s easy to see why. In particular I will be pursuing the question of whether the views put forth in the book are compatible with the teachings of Jesus. It’s an interesting question; and important. If the views of John of Patmos run contrary to the views of Jesus of Nazareth, why did the book make it into the New Testament?
I’m doing the final edits now before showing it to anyone. In a couple of weeks I will be sending it out to several scholars for comments — some experts on the New Testament in general and others on the book of Revelation in particular. But since it is a book written for a broad audience, not scholars, I would like members of the human race at large to read it as well, to let me know what they think. Wanna be one of them?
My idea is to use this as an opportunity to kill two birds with one stone: get a few people to read it and to use the opportunity to raise some extra funds for the blog.
So here’s the (possible) deal. I will give anyone who is willing to donate $1000 to the blog the opportunity to read my draft of the book and make comments on it. I will then consider the comments as I make further revisions, prior to submitting the book to my publisher. (I did this with my last book if you recall; and I found it extremely useful.) If you do this, I will acknowledge you by name in the Acknowledgements in the book.
This is a win-win-win situation, if you have the funds to make it possible. You get to see the book before it goes into production; I get the benefits of your insights; and most important, we raise more money for the charities that the blog supports. No one loses!
I know it’s a lot of dosh and most of you can’t do it, even if you want. BUT, never fear: the book will be published in a year or so and I can assure you the published copy will not cost a cool grand.
But suppose you are interested. I would get the book to you electronically in a couple of weeks. All it would take would be a donation on your part in advance.
Everyone who wants to give it a go, let me know, not here by way of a comment on the blog, but in a personal email, to [email protected].
Very nice proposal, but my comment is about this sentence:
“If the views of John of Patmos run contrary to the views of Jesus of Nazareth, why did the book make it into the New Testament?”
From what I understand of your views, John of Patmos is not the only one.
With a more positive perspective:
Which NT author comes closest to correctly presenting the views of Jesus?
Yes, you could ask the same questoin about other books too. But Revelation is one of the most contrasting, I think.
I’m about 900 hundred dollars short at the present time, but, should I hit the jackpot or something, I would surely love to take a sneak peek at this future bestseller!
I hear you. And just remember, chances of winning a lottery are always very good.
In your book will you be discussing the Christology of Revelation? If not would you spend some time on it here?
Thanks!
NOt in teh typical theological terms,, no (“human”? “divine” etc.) But I’ll be talkig a lot about how Christ is portrayed. And I’m happy to address any questions you have a bout it here.
One drawback to your plan is that you will only be getting feedback from people well off enough to pay the admission price, skewing your results to a relatively small demographic slice of the reading public; an important thing to be aware of.
I”m keenly aware of it! But I can’t open up the opportunity to everyone since wouldn’t be able to consider thousands of peoples comments. I’ll also have scholars read it, and simply hope I get comments that cover the bases.
Bart, Author of Jesus Interrupted and Expecting Armageddon?
Those who do read it almost always suppose that it is talking about what will happen soon in our own future. I will be arguing that this view is absolutely wrong and sometimes (literally) disastrous.
Steve Campbell, Author of Historical Accuracy
The Book of Revelation can be dropped from the New Testament for my purposes.
The first Christian Apocalypse was AD70. That Tribulation was followed by a glorious Son of Man/Earth/Gaia (Gaius)/another Caesar–the reign of two Caesars: Emperor Vespasian and Emperor Titus.
The Book of Revelation goes against the grain. It vilifies Rome, the sponsoring empire of Judea. When you revolt, you lose the opportunity to diplomatically register a complaint against Roman governors in Judea, as done in times past.
So, here we come with another Apocalypse, a summer blockbuster at that. For me, the question is not, “Am I right to say reading Revelation as if it is speaking to us is absolutely wrong?” The question is, “Is Revelation a classic; does it have a message for repeating history; is it such a classic that it speaks beyond Ancient Jewish theological beliefs?”
The Book of Revelation was written during the reign of Domitian, sometime around 95-96 CE.
Church Fathers:
Great Fathers of the Western Church
Great Fathers of the Eastern Church
Apostolic Fathers
Greek Fathers
Latin Fathers
Syriac Fathers
Desert Fathers
Bart,
Did any of the church fathers write about the Book of Revelation?
If so, what did you find most important? Did you include that in your book?
Yes, of course — some of them considered it Scripture. The first commentary we have is by Victorinus of Pettau, around 280 CE, but it was known and discussed already in the second century. I do talk about early interpretations in my book.
I sent you an email about it. Have there been many responses?
Five or six so far!
It might be a good idea to remind people, at this point, where their donation will go.
Anxious to get and read the book…l have it on my bucket list…but please exhort the publisher to get the book on the market as soon as possible…I am 93 years old and hope to read the book before I “kick the bucket”….LOL…CJ
Dr.Ehrman,
Even while I was a Christian there was one event in Revelation that made me scratch my head. After the battle of Armaggedon, there will be the millenial reign. At the end of this, Satan must be loosed and able to deceive. My questions are : who will be left to deceive and why must Satan be loosed? This scenerio sounds weird and doesn’t make sense. This makes it sound like god has to let Satan do his dirty work. Thanks.
I know. I’ve always thought it’s one of the strangest bits in Revelatoin too. Why not kill off Satan along with the beast? My hunch is that it is to allow specialy privileges to the martyrs. They are the only ones raised to rule with Christ for the thousand years; they get special treatment because of their witness to death. Afterward comes the final judgment, but I suppose the author didn’t think the final judgment would come until evil was once and for all destroyed, so Satan had to be let loose. Why there’s a Gog and Magog around is a good question.