The rise of allegorical interpretation commentary a. The book of revelation says the world will end in our lifetime. Bible commentary early church fathers medieval patristic. 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. Then, in book xx, section 19, he predicts their future by interpreting revelation. When was the book of revelation written by the apostle. Researching prior works helped me prepare my own commentary. Augustine of hippo study archive the preterist archive. But probably more than any other figure of the early christian period, augustine of hippo is one of.
His study of revelation 20, set out in book 20 of his great work. 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. Revelation to john, last book of the new testament. Catena commentary on revelation patristic bible commentary. Although the catholic church never officially endorsed augustine s interpretation, most catholics accepted it as a reasonable conclusion. First, his contemporaries were suspicious of him because of his classical, paganinfluenced education. This book places saint augustine s theology in a new context by considering what he has to say about beauty. Augustine probably began work on the confessions around the year 397, when he was 43 years old. Beauty and revelation in the thought of saint augustine.
I found many interesting prior commentaries in my search, especially the following by st. When i refer to the book of nature, people invariably wonder where they might get a copy. When you read revelation, nowhere in the book does it state that john is in exile or imprisoned. The second revelation pt 1what saint augustine demanded beside faith was truth, and beside dogmas, metaphysics. Interest in the book of revelation in the western tradition is stronger and earlier than that in the east. The beast from the sea also bears a name, but this name is not given anywhere in the book of revelation.
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. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in the latter category. 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. 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. To many christians, the abstruse language and fantastic images within the apocalypse of john render it irrelevant to everyday life. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 2.
Apocalypse, from the verb apokalupto, to reveal, is the name given to the last book in the bible. Thankfully, the introduction contains information on each of these four men. The book of revelation has vivid imagery and interesting characters as you read through its pages. Apocalypse, from the verb apokalypto, to reveal, is the name given to the last book in the bible. Why was augustine against including revelations in the. 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. 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. 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. Augustine saw god orchestrating time and history like an unchanging conductor, ordering events according to his will. Christ started binding satan right after pentecost as christianity spread throughout judea. Saint augustine in his study by sandro botticelli, 1480 city of god book xx chapter 7.
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. In the city of god, book xx, chapter 7, augustine writes. Prior to this i could not understand a lot in the book of revelation. There is also a miter, the symbol of a bishop since st. Chapter 10 understanding revelation and the timeline of. 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. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Why was augustine against including revelations in the bible. 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. Special attention is given to the role the book has played in art, literature and music, both within the churches and without. First, the book of nature is a reference to general revelation. 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.
And through augustine, christianity itself demanded it. 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. As christianity spread, satans activity within the converted areas was progressively curtailed. In order to understand the time line of events in revelation, it is important to understand how the book of revelation is structured.
In the circle is the latin for the city of god, st. 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. 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. The alternative lens of revelation augustine collective. What is written in the revelation of john regarding the two resurrections, and the thousand years, and what may reasonably be held on these. Today we kick off this exciting podcast series on thec. The revealing is done by the commentators, who know nothing. Unlocking the book of revelation lighthouse catholic media. In this intro episode i explain the basics of revelation and how we will cover it as catholics using the old testament, church fathers. 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. Chapter 10 understanding revelation and the timeline of events jump to the timeline of events. Monica was a faithful christian who prayed for many years for augustine her son to renounce his sinful ways and embrace the christian faith.
Bishop robert barron on the book of revelation bishop robert barron. The book of the revelation of jesus christ is a fascinating prophecy of the end times. He divided humans and angels into two societies or, as he puts it, cities. Latin commentaries on revelation intervarsity press. However, his name corresponds to a numerical value gematria that of the number 666 or 616.
Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The mark of the beast can be identified by either the beasts written name, or the numerical value of his name. The book of revelation, quipped ambrose bierce, is a famous book in which st. Augustine collective the alternative lens of revelation. The apocalypse as a social commentary as the last book of the bible, revelation is a curious book. 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.
The book of revelation was written sometime around. 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. Acceptance of the book of revelation has a checkered history. Augustine outlined the history of these two societies to christs time. One serves god and is populated by the good angels and all humans of good will.
Why the heck cant most christians just read it instead of making ignorant theories about its end times silliness. Cyril of jerusalem 348 ad does not name it among the canonical books catechesis iv. Augustine of hippo study archive the preterist archive of. It should be required reading in any course on revelation. Augustine s amillennial eschatology, which shapes his exegesis of rev 20, is not entirely his own creation. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view. The other opposes god and is made up of fallen angels and all humans of evil will.
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. I recently studied many commentaries on revelations. Athanasius 367 ad in his letter 39, augustine of hippo c. The more moderate form of allegorical interpretation, following augustine.
White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin, and acted as historical consultant for apocalypse. Latin commentaries on revelation ancient christian texts. Leo checkai was ordained a priest in may 2014 and now teaches at providence college. Bishop robert barron on the book of revelation youtube. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. Augustine and the book of revelation the alexandrian school of theology, represented by clement and origen, took an allegorical or nonliteral view of the. 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.
Commentators on the book of revelation have long debated the meaning of these. All humans are exposed to these two alternatives and choose according to their hearts. Augustines interfacing of past history to revelation occurs at the point when christ bound satan. Perhaps it should come as no surprise, then, that its reception by the early church was equally complicated and controversial.
The tradition of johns exile was started by augustine about 200 years after john lived. This post, originally published on november 28, 2011, is the first in a series on the book of revelation. The revelation of christ revelation 15 the prologue the introduction resource. 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. 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.
I have to assume that this cd was approved by the catholic church and is considered accurate. As a teenager, i remember being a bit frightened of the book of revelation. Augustine s precise motivation for writing his life story at that point is not clear, but there are at least two possible causes. General revelation reveals what god has shown in creation the book of. Protestants call it the book of revelation, the title which it bears in the king james version. David guzik commentary on revelation 2, which includes jesus letters to the churches in ephesus, smyrna, pergamos, and thyatira. 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. Augustine also believed that some interpretations of difficult texts ought not be held so dogmatically that they fail to leave room for the book.
300 135 1224 1311 335 1219 373 610 1250 1140 1287 514 643 1308 839 296 1097 311 1191 1392 175 346 651 521 1180 234 139 450 211 1134 627