Conversations with Scripture: Revelation

by Frederick W. Schmidt Jr.

Roadmap, myth, or history? An accessible review of The Book of Revelation for today’s audience. Conversations with Revelation is the first book in the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholar Study Series. Written in accessible language and sensitive to those who have little or no experience in reading the bible, each book in the series focuses on exploring the historical and critical background, as well as how the biblical texts written centuries ago can still speak to readers today. Frederick W. Schmidt, also the series editor, explores the approaches that have dominated the interpretation of John's Apocalypse and offers the reader an accessible means of understanding and evaluating them. With this grounding in hand, Schmidt explores how Revelation can shape our understanding of God, and nurture our spiritual lives in unexpected ways. Leaving behind left-behind theology, Schmidt offers instead an approach that allows this obscure, almost opaque text to speak to us anew about God, faith, hope, and justice.

Genres: Religion, Biblical Studies

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Episcopalian who has been working through their Bible for the past year, I finally came to Revelation with much trepidation. I wanted to better understand the rich symbolism and complex messages in the book; however, I felt ill-equipped to tackle the task on my own. I purchased this guide looking for a text that would guide me through Revelation and also offer study questions to inspire my personal reflections while reading. This book hit the mark on both counts and is highly recommended.

Schmidt starts with an overview of biblical interpretations of Revelation. Readers will find he acknowledges the role of "Left-Behind"-style interpretations in the evolution of Christian thought, but he turns away from this mode of interpretation for his own reading of Revelation. What Schmidt does do is closely read through each section of Revelation, providing historical context, literary background notes, and possible interpretations for the modern reader. Literalists will be sorely disappointed, but those of an Anglican mindset or those looking for fresh interpretations will be rewarded. Schmidt is an Anglican priest, so his interpretation is that of a faithful reader, not a dry or distanced academic. The book itself is a quick read (only 144 pages), so it is by no means an in-depth commentary on every detail of Revelation. However, it's just the right length for the average reader who is trying to make sense of the mystical symbols in the last book of the Bible without getting overwhelmed. The study questions at the end of the book are optional, but helpful for small groups or individuals who want to engage more with the text and its place in their personal faith.

Best for: Christians looking for a short faith-affirming, but non literalistic, guide to the symbolism and importance of Revelation within Christian scripture.
Not for: Literalist Christians, academics, those seeking an in-depth and lengthy commentary

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not an in-depth interaction with the text, but certainly a worthy conversation partner when it comes to the book of Revelation. As most people know there is more than one way to interpret the book. Schmidt lists three such ways - Roadmap, Myth, and History. In using those categories of interpretation he interacts loosely with the standard approaches - idealist, futurist, historicist, and preterist - which are chronicled in so many other commentaries (introductory or in-depth).

In describing his own reading of the book of Revelation, Schmidt gives the best quote (in my opinion) in the book: "John seeks to unveil or uncover what he considers to be the deeper realities about both time and the world in which the churches of Asia Minor live. He does this by taking his hearers on an imaginative tour of both the divine throne room (or council) and the future. In so doing he helps to change his hearers' perceptions of the present and, in particular, the nature of the spiritual crisis that they face. His ultimate goal is to encourage those who share his views and persuade those do not to embrace his views, shaping not their beliefs, but their lives" (Conversations with Scripture: Revelation, Frederick W. Schmidt, 58).

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comapnion book to the Book of Revelation bible study through church. Exploring and interpreting Revelation not as a road-map.