MiddleMan

Are there any good, scholarly books out there (written with the layman in mind, and in English!) which discuss the Book of Revelation and its historical context?

I recently tried "History of the End of the World" and was largely disappointed. I'm now looking for a different title but I'm having some problems. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Toto

What disappointed you about The History of the End of the World? Was it too popular?

jgibson000

Try first the chapter on Revelation in Bart Ehrman's NT Intro (or via: amazon.co.uk) and then in IH. Marshall's Exploring the NT (or via: amazon.co.uk). You'd also do well to read the entry on the book in the Dictionary of the Later NT and its Development (or via: amazon.co.uk) as well as the discussions of the historical context of Revelation in such recent critical commentaries as those of David Aune, S. Smalley, and G. K. Beale (as well as in older ones like those of R.H. Charles and my teacher, George Caird).

The context is also discussed in such standard NT Intros as those of Raymond Brown, Udo Schnelle, L.T. Johnson, and C. Holiday as well as in special studies on Revelation by Adella Y. Collins (i.e., Crisis and Catharsis (or via: amazon.co.uk) and her entry on the book in the ABD).

Jeffrey Gibson

jgibson000

As an addendum to my previous message, you might want to have a look at What Are They Saying About New Testament Apocalyptic byScott M. Lewis.

Jeffrey Gibson

Toto

What Are They Saying About New Testament Apocalyptic (or via: amazon.co.uk) by Scott M. Lewis on Amazon (Google Books only gives you a preview)

MiddleMan

Thanks for the recommendation, fellas. I'll look into those titles. Do any, or all, of the titles detail the book in any significant way? Not only placing it in historical context, but making connections with the symbols ("mark of the beast") with 1st century realities ("Roman coinage"; "Nero"; etc.)?

Yes, I think that's what bothered me. It simply wasn't indepth enough. I suppose I'm looking for more of a commentary. It's sort of like porn: I'll know it when I see it.

Toto

Jonathan Kirsch, who wrote The History of the End of the World (or via: amazon.co.uk), is a Los Angeles Times literary critic (and a copyright lawyer, as you will see if you look for his other books on Amazon.) His approach to Biblical subjects is very much in the story telling mode, as opposed to the detailed in-depth look.

You can browse Adella Collins' book on Amazon to see if it's what you are looking for.