The Open Heaven: A Study of Apocalyptic in Judaism and Early Christianity

by Christopher C. Rowland

A study of apocalyptic in Judaism and early Christianity, which examines its nature, origins, dates, the esoteric traditions of early rabbinic Judaism, the book of Revelation and other visionary accounts in early Christian literature.

Genres: Religion

Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

The Rev. Professor Christopher Rowland is an English Anglican priest and theologian. He was Dean Ireland's Professor of the Exegesis of Holy Scripture at the University of Oxford from 1991 to 2014.

Reviews

[Jeff McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a very good book. I read it knowing little to nothing of the author or his background (still don't) but for the most part no real definitive bias of views seems present, as it is mostly an academic view at the topic of apocalyptic.

I was impressed with the section looking at the difference between apocalyptic and eschatology - which was quite helpful in understanding the differences. Most of us seem to consider the two to be synonymous, when they are in fact different. While eschatology is a look at the last things, apocalyptic is a look into a non-earthly realm - usually the heavenly realm. So something that is apocalyptic is not necessarily related to anything dealing with the end of anything.

The bulk of the book then looks through a plethora of Hebrew apocalyptic writings, biblical and others, to show similarities and comparisons in thoughts, understandings, and beliefs at different times.

The only weakness I felt was the section on dating the apocalyptic writings, and some of the thoughts behind dating. It seems at time he was overlooking the possibility of prophetic thoughts, and instead assumed those things were written after-the-fact and/or influenced by later times and cultures. I found it odd to dismiss (at time) the idea of prophetic writing.

Aside from that the book contained quite a bit of good information.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good book for those studying apocalyptic literature. Especially important argument throughout that apocalyptic is not synonymous with eschatology.