Commentators on the book of revelation have long debated the meaning of these. Although a christian work, the apocalypse belongs to a class of literature dealing with eschatological subjects and much in vogue among the jews of the first century before, and. Augustine championed using the book of revelation within the new testament, assuming, as others had, that it was actually written by the apostle john, therefore carrying authority. Outline of visions john saw and recorded now before we proceed further with our studies of the book of revelation, i would like to provide you with an outline of the book as a useful guide to your study. Cyril of jerusalem 348 ad does not name it among the canonical books catechesis iv. Augustine s amillennial eschatology, which shapes his exegesis of rev 20, is not entirely his own creation. Although the catholic church never officially endorsed augustine s interpretation, most catholics accepted it as a reasonable conclusion. The smell of acne face cleanser filled the room as i dove into mysterious depictions of fourfaced angels, beasts from the sea and land, of massive angels. This book places saint augustine s theology in a new context by considering what he has to say about beauty. Augustine refuted this argument by providing a plausible interpretation of the book in his own book entitled the city of god and by encouraging retention of revelation in the bible, since he believed that it was written by the apostle john. Bible commentary early church fathers medieval patristic. This post, originally published on november 28, 2011, is the first in a series on the book of revelation.
Augustine outlined the history of these two societies to christs time. The book of revelation says the world will end in our lifetime. Special attention is given to the role the book has played in art, literature and music, both within the churches and without. When i refer to the book of nature, people invariably wonder where they might get a copy. Latin commentaries on revelation ancient christian texts. Unlocking the book of revelation lighthouse catholic media. To many christians, the abstruse language and fantastic images within the apocalypse of john render it irrelevant to everyday life. This name indicates the meaning of revelation it uncovers matters that had been hidden and discloses events that would happen long after it was written. Researching prior works helped me prepare my own commentary. In the circle is the latin for the city of god, st. Why the heck cant most christians just read it instead of making ignorant theories about its end times silliness.
Acceptance of the book of revelation has a checkered history. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in the latter category. Christ started binding satan right after pentecost as christianity spread throughout judea. In the city of god, book xx, chapter 7, augustine writes. David guzik commentary on revelation 2, which includes jesus letters to the churches in ephesus, smyrna, pergamos, and thyatira. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. Why was augustine against including revelations in the. When was the book of revelation written by the apostle. Augustine s precise motivation for writing his life story at that point is not clear, but there are at least two possible causes. The rise of allegorical interpretation commentary a. The second revelation pt 1what saint augustine demanded beside faith was truth, and beside dogmas, metaphysics.
It should be required reading in any course on revelation. Thankfully, the introduction contains information on each of these four men. Latin commentaries on revelation is a 250 page hardcover book, which contains four commentaries on revelation from victorinus of petovium, apringius of beja, caesarius of arles, and bede the venerable. Although a christian work, the apocalypse belongs to a class of literature dealing with eschatological subjects and much in vogue among the jews of the first century before, and after, christ. The tradition of johns exile was started by augustine about 200 years after john lived.
Augustine of hippo study archive the preterist archive of. Interest in the book of revelation in the western tradition is stronger and earlier than that in the east. Libraries of books have been written addressing this diversity of views, and we would not do the book justice to attempt to resolve them in one article. The book of the revelation of jesus christ is a fascinating prophecy of the end times. Today we kick off this exciting podcast series on thec. All humans are exposed to these two alternatives and choose according to their hearts. Chapter 10 understanding revelation and the timeline of. Bishop robert barron on the book of revelation bishop robert barron. General revelation reveals what god has shown in creation the book of. I found many interesting prior commentaries in my search, especially the following by st. The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. The beast from the sea also bears a name, but this name is not given anywhere in the book of revelation. Bishop robert barron on the book of revelation youtube.
The book of revelation, quipped ambrose bierce, is a famous book in which st. The mark of the beast can be identified by either the beasts written name, or the numerical value of his name. Few today would contest the claim that the book of revelation stands as one of the most controversial, complicated, and esoteric books in the new testament canon. Augustine and the book of revelation the alexandrian school of theology, represented by clement and origen, took an allegorical or nonliteral view of the final book of inspired scripture.
The more moderate form of allegorical interpretation, following augustine. Then, in book xx, section 19, he predicts their future by interpreting revelation. The other opposes god and is made up of fallen angels and all humans of evil will. As a teenager, i remember being a bit frightened of the book of revelation. First, his contemporaries were suspicious of him because of his classical, paganinfluenced education. Why was augustine against including revelations in the bible. What is written in the revelation of john regarding the two resurrections, and the thousand years, and what may reasonably be held on these. His study of revelation 20, set out in book 20 of his great work. Saint augustine in his study by sandro botticelli, 1480 city of god book xx chapter 7. Apocalypse, from the verb apokalupto, to reveal, is the name given to the last book in the bible. I have to say, that even with my education as a catholic, i was stunned how unlocking the book of revelation opened up my eyes to the real meanings behind the book of revelation.
Athanasius 367 ad in his letter 39, augustine of hippo c. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. For augustine, then, the city of god, the church, is the new jerusalem on earth and anticipates the final new jerusalem in heaven. Augustine and the book of revelation the alexandrian school of theology, represented by clement and origen, took an allegorical or nonliteral view of the. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text.
Augustine collective the alternative lens of revelation. I recently studied many commentaries on revelations. The revealing is done by the commentators, who know nothing. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view. But probably more than any other figure of the early christian period, augustine of hippo is one of.
He divided humans and angels into two societies or, as he puts it, cities. However, his name corresponds to a numerical value gematria that of the number 666 or 616. There are details of four horsemen, strange creatures with faces like eagles, men, and calves, and is a dragon with feet that are shaped like a bear that come out of the sea. White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin, and acted as historical consultant for apocalypse. But what exactly is allegorical also known as mystical 1 interpretation and where did it come from zuck offers the following description of allegorization allegorizing is searching for a hidden or secret meaning.
Leo checkai was ordained a priest in may 2014 and now teaches at providence college. Augustine of hippo study archive the preterist archive. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 2. The earliest full commentary on the apocalypse is that of victorinus of petovium written in the mid to late third century by the earliest exegete to write in latin. Protestants call it the book of revelation, the title which it bears in the king james version. Augustine probably began work on the confessions around the year 397, when he was 43 years old. Catena commentary on revelation patristic bible commentary. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation and explains that todays people do not understand what the author of revelation. The book of revelation was written sometime around. The book of revelation has vivid imagery and interesting characters as you read through its pages. Because the book of revelation is categorized as apocalyptic literature and contains numerous symbols, it undergoes a great deal of abuse due to allegorical interpretation. I have to assume that this cd was approved by the catholic church and is considered accurate. It is evident from augustine s writings that he drew significantly on the work of a theologian named tyconius, whose writings are lost apart from the use made of them by augustine.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise, then, that its reception by the early church was equally complicated and controversial. And through augustine, christianity itself demanded it. Special revelation reveals what god did to reconcile the world to himself the bible. The apocalypse as a social commentary as the last book of the bible, revelation is a curious book. The more moderate form of allegorical interpretation, following augustine, has achieved respectability and regards the book of revelation as presenting in a symbolic way the total conflict between christianity and evil or, as augustine put it. It demonstrates how a theological understanding of beauty revealed in the created, temporal realm enabled augustine to form a positive appreciation of this realm and the saving power of beauty within it. Beauty and revelation in the thought of saint augustine. When you read revelation, nowhere in the book does it state that john is in exile or imprisoned. First, the book of nature is a reference to general revelation. Apocalypse, from the verb apokalypto, to reveal, is the name given to the last book in the bible. Prior to this i could not understand a lot in the book of revelation. In this intro episode i explain the basics of revelation and how we will cover it as catholics using the old testament, church fathers. Augustines interfacing of past history to revelation occurs at the point when christ bound satan. What is written in the revelation of john regarding the two resurrections, and the thousand years, and what may reasonably be held on these points.
It is the only book of the new testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than didactic or historical, indicating thereby its extensive use of visions, symbols, and allegory, especially in connection with future events. This is a rich and multifaceted commentary on revelation that includes highlights from the whole range of the history of interpretation and reception of the work. Chapter 10 understanding revelation and the timeline of events jump to the timeline of events. Augustine saw god orchestrating time and history like an unchanging conductor, ordering events according to his will. Revelation to john, last book of the new testament. Augustine also believed that some interpretations of difficult texts ought not be held so dogmatically that they fail to leave room for the book. Latin commentaries on revelation intervarsity press. In order to understand the time line of events in revelation, it is important to understand how the book of revelation is structured. The revelation of christ revelation 15 the prologue the introduction resource. There is also a miter, the symbol of a bishop since st. The alternative lens of revelation augustine collective. One serves god and is populated by the good angels and all humans of good will. Monica was a faithful christian who prayed for many years for augustine her son to renounce his sinful ways and embrace the christian faith.
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