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New American Bible Commentary, New Testament Set #39
Revelation: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (Volume 39)
The New American Commentary series is for the minister or Bible student who wants to understand and expound the Scriptures. Notable features of each volume include:
commentary based on the New International Version (NIV) of Scripture; the NIV text printed in the body of the commentary; sound scholarly methodology that reflects capable research in the original languages; interpretation that emphasizes the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole; readable and applicable exposition.
In the Introduction to his commentary on Revelation, L. Paige Patterson observes the widespread neglect of this closing book of the New Testament.
“Aside from a few journal articles and fewer monographs, few homiletical adventurers have evidenced the moxie to enter the eschatological lists and take on this book in the pulpit. This remains the case even though curi- osity abounds in many congregations where parishioners fervently wish that their respective pastors would explain the book to them. Among those who embark on this adventure, most sail no further than the message to the seven churches . . . thus missing the grandeur of the promises that proliferate in chapters 4-22.”
Patterson writes with the strong conviction that preachers and professors can grasp Revelation and expound it fruitfully. To that end he has writ- ten this commentary, and in doing so, interacts with a wide array of interpreters of Revelation across the centuries. The reader who follows Patterson’s interpretive decisions will experience a virtual hermeneutical workshop but far more than that. He will see more clearly than ever the glory and grandeur of Jesus Christ.
commentary based on the New International Version (NIV) of Scripture; the NIV text printed in the body of the commentary; sound scholarly methodology that reflects capable research in the original languages; interpretation that emphasizes the theological unity of each book and of Scripture as a whole; readable and applicable exposition.
In the Introduction to his commentary on Revelation, L. Paige Patterson observes the widespread neglect of this closing book of the New Testament.
“Aside from a few journal articles and fewer monographs, few homiletical adventurers have evidenced the moxie to enter the eschatological lists and take on this book in the pulpit. This remains the case even though curi- osity abounds in many congregations where parishioners fervently wish that their respective pastors would explain the book to them. Among those who embark on this adventure, most sail no further than the message to the seven churches . . . thus missing the grandeur of the promises that proliferate in chapters 4-22.”
Patterson writes with the strong conviction that preachers and professors can grasp Revelation and expound it fruitfully. To that end he has writ- ten this commentary, and in doing so, interacts with a wide array of interpreters of Revelation across the centuries. The reader who follows Patterson’s interpretive decisions will experience a virtual hermeneutical workshop but far more than that. He will see more clearly than ever the glory and grandeur of Jesus Christ.
411 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
28 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 13, 2021
Patterson has been taking some hits lately, some of which are undeserved. This was a useful resource, and I recommend it.
December 23, 2020
Patterson's own words on 22:7-11 form a good backdrop for my praise of his thorough treatment of Revelation.
Two opposite reactions seem to be prominent among Christians across the centuries. Some have become so infatuated with the book of Revelation that the remainder of the Bible has become little more than a support system for eschatology. The opposite reaction to that has been to view the book of Revelation as such a difficult book to understand as to render it worth little more than an occasional read. The vast majority of pastors make no attempt to teach their people the Apocalypse; and whenever pastors do choose to preach from the book, the messages usually end at chap. 3. In between these two extremes is the appropriate place where the book is carefully expounded and its treasures enshrined in the hearts of the people for whom the eschaton becomes a blessed hope as people are called to look for the appearing of the Lord.
Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 380.
Two opposite reactions seem to be prominent among Christians across the centuries. Some have become so infatuated with the book of Revelation that the remainder of the Bible has become little more than a support system for eschatology. The opposite reaction to that has been to view the book of Revelation as such a difficult book to understand as to render it worth little more than an occasional read. The vast majority of pastors make no attempt to teach their people the Apocalypse; and whenever pastors do choose to preach from the book, the messages usually end at chap. 3. In between these two extremes is the appropriate place where the book is carefully expounded and its treasures enshrined in the hearts of the people for whom the eschaton becomes a blessed hope as people are called to look for the appearing of the Lord.
Paige Patterson, Revelation, ed. E. Ray Clendenen, vol. 39, The New American Commentary (Nashville, TN: B&H, 2012), 380.
May 19, 2013
Very informative and while predominantly futurist and premillennialist, other interpretive views are presented.
As a stand alone book in the series, I would give it 5 stars. Revelation is clearly outlined and each subject is adequately covered.
Taken with other books of the NAC, I am less impressed with Patterson's writing. Some of it is awkward and feels pieced together switching back and forth between the first and third person when inserting his opinions. For that, I knocked it down in the rating.
As a stand alone book in the series, I would give it 5 stars. Revelation is clearly outlined and each subject is adequately covered.
Taken with other books of the NAC, I am less impressed with Patterson's writing. Some of it is awkward and feels pieced together switching back and forth between the first and third person when inserting his opinions. For that, I knocked it down in the rating.
March 18, 2016
Left wanting more
I read a lot of commentaries and there seems to be two categories; those that focus on the text and those that focus what other commentators say about the text. This falls into the latter. I have little need for a commentary that aggregates what all the major camps think about the text, tell me what God is showing you and how your academic study backs that up. Many times I was left wondering what the text was, let alone what it was trying to say after reading this.
I read a lot of commentaries and there seems to be two categories; those that focus on the text and those that focus what other commentators say about the text. This falls into the latter. I have little need for a commentary that aggregates what all the major camps think about the text, tell me what God is showing you and how your academic study backs that up. Many times I was left wondering what the text was, let alone what it was trying to say after reading this.
February 5, 2015
If I could only own one commentary on Revelation this would be the one. It is readable yet scholarly. The author presents his own interpretive viewpoint yet gives fair treatment and references to many others. This commentary will help anyone to understand, teach, or preach the book of Revelation.
November 4, 2013
Patterson is so hard to read, I get lost in the excessive terminology. The topic is interesting, and I find the readable information fascinating, but so much is lost in translation that it is frustrating.
June 20, 2016
The book: Revelation. 39 (The New American Commentary), I am using it as a study guide of Revelation and what I have read and analyzed to this point has been very helpful toward the understanding of the Bible Book of Revelations.
March 3, 2015
A good, conservative commentary. Could have been a lot shorter if not as much ink was spent discussing other views and interpretations.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews