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A Slaughtered Lamb: Revelation and the Apocalyptic Response to Evil and Suffering
An introduction to the literary and theological message of Revelation using the topics of evil and suffering as a conceptual organizer, which provides readers an immediate connection between this ancient text and their lives.Although often read as a book of esoteric visions about the end of time, the book of revelation is actually one of the most relevant books in the Bible for Christian faith in the twenty-first century. Evil and suffering are an unavoidable component of human experience and they generate a host of questions by those seeking to be faithful in the midst of such experiences. Why do Christians suffer? How are we to understand God's sovereignty in a world of injustice, violence, and opposition? What is the appropriate response of faith to such a world?In "A Slaughtered Lamb," Greg Stevenson argues that the book of Revelation addresses such questions and the tension that is created between our faith and our experiences of evil and suffering. Revelation is a book that reminds us that God is faithful to his creation, that challenges us to take up the call for faithful witness in a hostile world, and that reveals to us that God's primary response to evil and suffering is to meet us in the form of a slaughtered lamb.Ideal for use as a college textbook for undergraduate/graduate students, as a resource for pastors/ministry leaders, and as an introduction to Revelation for interested lay persons.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 9, 2016
Revelation is probably the least understood and possibly most misinterpreted and thus misapplied book in Scripture. Thus, some would have it removed or at least put in a corner for it is too dangerous. But, alas it remains firmly ensconced in the canon of Christian Scripture. What we need, therefore, are skilled interpreters. Greg Stevenson is just that person.
In A Slaughtered Lamb Greg sets out to not only make the book of Revelation understandable, but a book that can speak to the contemporary Christian. In order to do this he makes it clear that while the book addresses evil and suffering this is not a theodicy -- its not a defense of God. Such a purpose would likely not have been part of John's understanding -- it is rather a modern concept.
In laying out this vision John recognizes that suffering exists and that God is sovereign. These aren't contradictory, they are simply realities. The question is -- how should we understand suffering and the reality of evil in the light of God's sovereignty?
Revelation is often interpreted as serving as a word of comfort to those undergoing suffering due to their faith. This is partly correct. It is a word to those who suffer promising that God will prove victorious over evil, but shall do so in the form of the Slaughtered Lamb (via the cross). But there is another audience -- that is the folks who compromise with the world, the collaborators. They are informed that the imperial system in which they've placed their trust stands under judgment and will not survive. Thus, it is a word concerning allegiance -- to the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of the World.
Greg speaks of the dualism present, helping us understand the purpose of it and envisioning a way in which it is overcome (though not completely).
It is dangerous book -- the Book of Revelation that is -- but Greg proves to be a most adept interpreter. He calls for a middle way between those who find the judgmental aspect of Revelation to be of their liking and those who reject the book because of that judgmental nature. I've only given a highlight, but I hope I've encouraged your interest in the book, because Revelation is not a book of the Bible to be ignored!
In A Slaughtered Lamb Greg sets out to not only make the book of Revelation understandable, but a book that can speak to the contemporary Christian. In order to do this he makes it clear that while the book addresses evil and suffering this is not a theodicy -- its not a defense of God. Such a purpose would likely not have been part of John's understanding -- it is rather a modern concept.
In laying out this vision John recognizes that suffering exists and that God is sovereign. These aren't contradictory, they are simply realities. The question is -- how should we understand suffering and the reality of evil in the light of God's sovereignty?
Revelation is often interpreted as serving as a word of comfort to those undergoing suffering due to their faith. This is partly correct. It is a word to those who suffer promising that God will prove victorious over evil, but shall do so in the form of the Slaughtered Lamb (via the cross). But there is another audience -- that is the folks who compromise with the world, the collaborators. They are informed that the imperial system in which they've placed their trust stands under judgment and will not survive. Thus, it is a word concerning allegiance -- to the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of the World.
Greg speaks of the dualism present, helping us understand the purpose of it and envisioning a way in which it is overcome (though not completely).
It is dangerous book -- the Book of Revelation that is -- but Greg proves to be a most adept interpreter. He calls for a middle way between those who find the judgmental aspect of Revelation to be of their liking and those who reject the book because of that judgmental nature. I've only given a highlight, but I hope I've encouraged your interest in the book, because Revelation is not a book of the Bible to be ignored!
June 4, 2014
Probably THE best discussion of the Apocalypse to John I have ever read, or tied with Ben Witherington III's book, Revelation. I have not read the latter in a while. I would recommend this to anyone.
November 1, 2025
The Book of Revelation, not to be confused with the popular Left Behind book series, is full of incredible images. A seven headed dragon waging war in the heavens while giant beasts of the sea and earth roam the land. Sure, stranger things have been written, but millions of people, maybe even tens of millions or hundreds of millions of people, believe that these events will come to pass in some form. That gives the images more weight.
Growing up as I did, Revelation was a description of the end times and little more. Yet, 'A Slaughtered Lamb' tells a different story, that maybe Revelation isn't a literal description of end times at all. Rather, it is a mix of metaphor, symbol, and mythos that points to an end to suffering and justice for all.
Stevenson starts the book by challenging notions of evil and confronting the killshot to Christianity, "How can a god who is both all good and all powerful allow such evil and suffering to exist in the world." The author uses The Book of Revelation to answer that exact question. It culminates in a reconciliation between the wrathful God from the Old Testament and the loving God from the New Testament, arguing that these gods are not separate entities, but by necessity the same God, because suffering and love must go hand in hand. I remain unconvinced, but I do walk away from Revelation with a completely different perspective. Now, I feel the freedom to interpret the apocalyptic verses as more literary and less literal.
There are several reasons why I remain unconvinced of his over-arching idea, but the biggest might be from the bible itself. Revelation 20:15 states "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Just a few verses before that, in 20:10, "And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (NASB) If the 'lake of fire' is eternal torture for those whose names aren't in the book of life, there's little anyone can say to convince me that suffering and love go hand in hand in Revelation.
A qualm I have with literal interpretations of Revelation is that it primes Christians to believe we will be persecuted for our religion and all but urges us to be looking for potential sources of this persecution. In reality, Christianity is the majority religion of the planet and has been the strongest religious influence for over a thousand years (contested at times by Islam, but the point remains.) Christians reign supreme.
The Book of Revelation hearkens back to a time when Christians were a minority, and actually persecuted, under the Roman Empire. The images in the book may seem excessive, but to one living under the boot, I'm sure they are inspirational. We are the boot now, so how can we interpret this book? I like Stevenson's approach, but I think it is also okay to interpret Revelation as a product of its time, yet still a valuable read, important piece of history and literature, and as Stevenson argues, a subversion of war and violence with the image of a slaughtered lamb.
Growing up as I did, Revelation was a description of the end times and little more. Yet, 'A Slaughtered Lamb' tells a different story, that maybe Revelation isn't a literal description of end times at all. Rather, it is a mix of metaphor, symbol, and mythos that points to an end to suffering and justice for all.
Stevenson starts the book by challenging notions of evil and confronting the killshot to Christianity, "How can a god who is both all good and all powerful allow such evil and suffering to exist in the world." The author uses The Book of Revelation to answer that exact question. It culminates in a reconciliation between the wrathful God from the Old Testament and the loving God from the New Testament, arguing that these gods are not separate entities, but by necessity the same God, because suffering and love must go hand in hand. I remain unconvinced, but I do walk away from Revelation with a completely different perspective. Now, I feel the freedom to interpret the apocalyptic verses as more literary and less literal.
There are several reasons why I remain unconvinced of his over-arching idea, but the biggest might be from the bible itself. Revelation 20:15 states "And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire." Just a few verses before that, in 20:10, "And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (NASB) If the 'lake of fire' is eternal torture for those whose names aren't in the book of life, there's little anyone can say to convince me that suffering and love go hand in hand in Revelation.
A qualm I have with literal interpretations of Revelation is that it primes Christians to believe we will be persecuted for our religion and all but urges us to be looking for potential sources of this persecution. In reality, Christianity is the majority religion of the planet and has been the strongest religious influence for over a thousand years (contested at times by Islam, but the point remains.) Christians reign supreme.
The Book of Revelation hearkens back to a time when Christians were a minority, and actually persecuted, under the Roman Empire. The images in the book may seem excessive, but to one living under the boot, I'm sure they are inspirational. We are the boot now, so how can we interpret this book? I like Stevenson's approach, but I think it is also okay to interpret Revelation as a product of its time, yet still a valuable read, important piece of history and literature, and as Stevenson argues, a subversion of war and violence with the image of a slaughtered lamb.
July 8, 2023
This is a book that attacks the understanding of Revelation from the standpoint of living for Jesus in a world that attacks that life with evil and suffering. It teaches that this is to be understood from the standpoint of heaven, not from earth. It is well written, and the first part on orientation of the book is extremely interesting and helpful. If one is interested in a good approach to looking at this text, this would be a good place start.
November 21, 2022
Well well. This book came out of nowhere for me. Never heard of it or the author until October 2022. It’s now easily in my top five books about the last book of the Bible - Revelation. I think I’ve underlined too much. But I’ll be recommending this if anyone asks for a good introduction to Revelation.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews