Apocalypse Then: Prophecy and the Making of the Modern World

by Arthur H. Williamson

While few intellectuals today accept the notion that the world is literally about to end through a prophesied supernatural act, between 1500 and 1800 many of Europe's and America's most creative minds did believe it. Perhaps most surprisingly, apocalyptic expectations played a central role during this period in creating secular culture―arguably the signal achievement of the post-medieval West. The topic is much with us still, as many on the religious right look to the end of days, a goal that seems closer than ever.

Apocalyptic ideas and expectations shaped the world in profound and enduring ways. In the Early Modern era, a deeply religious set of ideas proved instrumental in enabling people to see their world through prisms other than that of religion. The apocalypse underwrote the Reformation in the 16th century, the English Revolution in the 17th century, and the American Revolution in the 18th century. This book explores such themes through an examination of a range of major figures and events from the period. Why was the apocalypse―so alien to us today―so pivotal to the creation of our culture and to what we are? Only by seeing its central and often creative role historically within western civilizations can we meaningfully assess its significance to the current world. Only by grasping apocalypse then, can we truly understand apocalypse now.

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction

368 pages, Hardcover

First published March 30, 2008

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book certainly covers a wide range of information, sometimes persuasively, and draws attention to a number of neglected thinkers. But the overwrought tone, unusual for an academic production, frequently verges on hysteria. And when confronted with a writer who seriously prefers Oliver Cromwell and all that he stands for to Michel de Montaigne and all that he stands for, one has to question that writer's good sense.

[Don Heiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2008 The Teaching Company released Professor Arthur Williamson’s lectures titled “Apocalypse Now Apocalypse Then: Prophesy, the Creation of the Modern World.” On average each audio lecture is 45 minutes long. His lectures feature the biblical Book of Revelations writings about the last days ending with the return of Christ on earth. The lectures trace the apocalypse view from its medieval reformation, enlightenment, and industrial revolutionary periods of history. Also Prof. Williamson’s lectures profile apocalypse influences on antichrist Cold War Ideologies and the apocalyptic age of Martin Luther King Jr. I especially enjoyed his lectures about the similarity of perspectives between Jewish and Christian religious thought and morality practices. (P)

[Jim Razinha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow. What an … imaginative … premise: everything in the western world - religion, philosophy, politics, governance, … science! …, morals, … everything…

… is due to one wacky psychedelic raving canonized by a faction of men out of dozens extant in the late 4th century CE that survived the hundreds of apocalypse writings from the first couple of centuries.

Um, okay. Dr. Williamson.

The lectures are delivered in a slow, breathy, almost conspiratorial manner. I survived by playing them at 1.2 and 1.3x normal speed. Lots of history (a plus, as some is obscure) and not inconsiderate amount of doctrine/dogma (not a plus). The Greeks would be annoyed with the perversion of their word ᾰ̓ποκᾰ́λῠψῐς.

Three stars for the history lessons,
Minus one for the reaching.

[Abdulaziz Fagih · Rating 3 out of 5]

the Important of these lectures form is that it discuss the political and scientific development from the religious side in the west which certainly shine more knowledge in the west history but sometimes feel like it's bit exaggerated

[Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting thesis and outstanding range of scholarship!