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Violence of the Lamb Martyrs as Agents of Divine Judgement in the Book of Revelation

Middleton, Paul
Innbundet / 2018 / Engelsk

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780567257123
Publisert
2018-05-03
Utgiver
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Høyde
234 mm
Bredde
156 mm
Aldersnivå
U, 05
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
304

Forfatter
Middleton, Paul

Om bidragsyterne

Paul Middleton is Lecturer in New Testament Studies at the University of Wales, Lampeter, UK.

Violence of the Lamb Martyrs as Agents of Divine Judgement in the Book of Revelation

Middleton, Paul
Innbundet / 2018 / Engelsk
Middleton, Paul
Innbundet / 2018 / Engelsk
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<i>The Violence of the Lamb</i> is a well-argued, persuasive study, not to mention an enjoyable read.

Biblical Theology Bulletin

Indispensable for the study of Revelation and martyrdom in early Christianity.

NTT Journal for Theology and the Study of Religion

A carefully argued and persuasive reading of the Book of Revelation ... This book is a valuable contribution to the field of historical-critical New Testament studies as well as to the study of the Apocalypse.

Journal of Theological Studies

Se alle

This book is most appropriate for scholarly or graduate audiences, and would be helpful for courses on the book of Revelation, NT eschatology, and Christology. Highly recommended.

Reading Religion

In <i>The Violence of the Lamb</i>, Paul Middleton confirms his status as a leading historian of martyrdom and Christian origins. With a startling but apt title, he convincingly shows that martyrs were believed to share the retribution of divine violence and that more ‘liberal’ or ‘pacifist’ readings have a tendency towards anachronism and apologetics. This is an excellent book and should be read by anyone wishing to understand ancient concepts of martyrdom and violence on their own terms.

James Crossley, St. Mary's College, Twickenham, UK

Middleton offers a provocative reading of the role of violence and martyrdom in Revelation. His iconoclastic conclusions will cause you to re-evaluate what you think about many of the important interpretive cruces of the Apocalypse.

Garrick V. Allen, Dublin City University, Ireland

<i>Violence of the Lamb </i>offers a close reading of Revelation’s central figure and paradigm for martyrdom and sacrifice, the Lamb. John’s Lamb, Middleton argues, is neither frolicking playmate nor passive resistor, but instead is an active agent of Divine judgment and wrath…<i>Violence of the Lamb </i>brilliantly returns readers to the gritty reality of Revelation, a text that may not always be what modern, humane academics desire, but that has invigorated Christian imagery and thinking for millennia.

Robert Paul Seesengood, Albright College, Pennsylvania, USA

The act of martyrdom in the worldview of the Apocalypse has been considered to be an exemplification of non-violent resistance. Paul Middleton argues here, however, that it is in fact a representation of direct participation by Christians, through their martyrdom, in divine violence against those the author of Revelation portrays as God's enemies. Middleton shows that acceptance of martyrdom is to grasp the invitation to participate in the Revelation's divine violence. Martyrs follow the model laid down by the Lamb, who was not only slain, but resurrected, glorified, and who executes judgement. The world created by the Apocalypse encourages readers to conquer the Beast through martyrdom, but also through the experience of resurrection and being appointed judges. In this role, martyrs participate in the judgement of the wicked by sharing the Lamb's power to judge. Different from eschewing violence, the conceptual world of the Apocalypse portrays God, the Lamb, and the martyrs as possessing more power, might, and violent potential than the Emperor and his armies. Middleton believes that martyrdom and violence are necessary components of the worldview of Revelation.
Les mer
INTRODUCTION Reading the Violence of the Apocalypse Martyrdom in Revelation Plan of the Book CHAPTER 1: CHRISTIAN ‘PERSECUTION’ AND THE DATING OF REVELATION Introduction The Literary World of the Apocalypse Persecution and Suffering in Revelation The Imperial Cult in Revelation Social Reality and the Apocalypse Persecution and Suffering in the New Testament Persecution in Early Christian Writings The Emperor Cult The Image of the Beast: The Sacrifice Test Josephus Early Christianity Mark Q 12.2–9 Hebrews The Shepherd of Hermas 2 Timothy 1 John Conclusion CHAPTER 2: NO TAME LAMB: CHRISTOLOGY IN THE APOCALYPSE The Lion/Lamb Dichotomy The Lion The Lamb ‘Standing as if Slain’ (Rev 5.6) Sacrificial Lamb Paschal Lamb Isaiah 53 Behold the ‘Ram’ of God The Lion/Lamb: Beyond incongruity CHAPTER 3: THE LAMB AS PROTO-MARTYR The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1.1–8) The Testimony of Jesus (Rev. 1.2) The First and the Last (Rev. 1.4) The Faithful Witness (Rev. 1.5–6) Coming on the Clouds (Rev. 1.7) Christophanies in the Apocalypse The Son of Man/Ancient of Days (Rev. 1.12–20) Christological Oracles (Rev. 2–3) The Rider on the White Horse (Rev. 19.11–16) The Lion and the Lamb (Rev. 4–5) CHAPTER 4: THE LAMB AS DIVINE JUDGE Violence and Judgment in the Apocalypse Judgment in the Oracles to the Seven Churches (Rev. 1–3) The Seven Seals and Trumpets (Rev. 6–7) The Sealed Scroll The First four Seals (Rev. 6.1–8) The Sixth Seal: The Day of the Lord (Rev. 6.12–17) Plagues and Torments on the Damned (Rev. 8–16) The Seven Trumpets (Rev. 8.2–9.21; 11.15–19) Two Last Judgements (Rev. 11.15–19; 14.6–20) The Seven Bowls of Wrath (Rev. 15.7–16.21) The Fall of Babylon, The Final Battle, and the Last Judgement (Rev. 17–22) The Fall of Babylon (Rev. 17–18) The Final Battle (Rev. 16.12–16; 17.12–14; 19.11–21) The Last Final Judgement and the New Jerusalem (Rev. 20–22) Conclusion CHAPTER 5: A THEOLOGY OF MARTYRDOM IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION Martyrdom and Judgment Judgement Delayed (Rev. 6.10) God’s Judgment for the Martyrs The Call to Martyrdom Revelation 6.11 Revelation 12.7–17 Revelation 13 Revelation 14 Revelation 7 The Call to Conquer Conquering in the Seven Churches Martyrs as Agents of Divine Judgement Vindication of The Martyrs The Noble Army of Martyrs Martyrs as Rulers (Rev. 20.4–6) Martyrs as Agents of Judgement (Rev. 18.4–8) CONCLUSION
Les mer
Challenges non-violent readings of the Apocalypse by re-examining the role of martyrdom in Revelation.
Explores the interface between early Christianity and Roman imperial worldviews
Formerly the Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement, a book series that explores the many aspects of New Testament study including historical perspectives, social-scientific and literary theory, and theological, cultural and contextual approaches. The Early Christianity in Context series, a part of JSNTS, examines the birth and development of early Christianity up to the end of the third century CE. The series places Christianity in its social, cultural, political and economic context. The European Seminar on Christian Origins and Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus Supplement are also part of JSNTS.
Les mer

Relaterte produkter

<i>The Violence of the Lamb</i> is a well-argued, persuasive study, not to mention an enjoyable read.

Biblical Theology Bulletin

Indispensable for the study of Revelation and martyrdom in early Christianity.

NTT Journal for Theology and the Study of Religion

A carefully argued and persuasive reading of the Book of Revelation ... This book is a valuable contribution to the field of historical-critical New Testament studies as well as to the study of the Apocalypse.

Journal of Theological Studies

Se alle

This book is most appropriate for scholarly or graduate audiences, and would be helpful for courses on the book of Revelation, NT eschatology, and Christology. Highly recommended.

Reading Religion

In <i>The Violence of the Lamb</i>, Paul Middleton confirms his status as a leading historian of martyrdom and Christian origins. With a startling but apt title, he convincingly shows that martyrs were believed to share the retribution of divine violence and that more ‘liberal’ or ‘pacifist’ readings have a tendency towards anachronism and apologetics. This is an excellent book and should be read by anyone wishing to understand ancient concepts of martyrdom and violence on their own terms.

James Crossley, St. Mary's College, Twickenham, UK

Middleton offers a provocative reading of the role of violence and martyrdom in Revelation. His iconoclastic conclusions will cause you to re-evaluate what you think about many of the important interpretive cruces of the Apocalypse.

Garrick V. Allen, Dublin City University, Ireland

<i>Violence of the Lamb </i>offers a close reading of Revelation’s central figure and paradigm for martyrdom and sacrifice, the Lamb. John’s Lamb, Middleton argues, is neither frolicking playmate nor passive resistor, but instead is an active agent of Divine judgment and wrath…<i>Violence of the Lamb </i>brilliantly returns readers to the gritty reality of Revelation, a text that may not always be what modern, humane academics desire, but that has invigorated Christian imagery and thinking for millennia.

Robert Paul Seesengood, Albright College, Pennsylvania, USA

The act of martyrdom in the worldview of the Apocalypse has been considered to be an exemplification of non-violent resistance. Paul Middleton argues here, however, that it is in fact a representation of direct participation by Christians, through their martyrdom, in divine violence against those the author of Revelation portrays as God's enemies. Middleton shows that acceptance of martyrdom is to grasp the invitation to participate in the Revelation's divine violence. Martyrs follow the model laid down by the Lamb, who was not only slain, but resurrected, glorified, and who executes judgement. The world created by the Apocalypse encourages readers to conquer the Beast through martyrdom, but also through the experience of resurrection and being appointed judges. In this role, martyrs participate in the judgement of the wicked by sharing the Lamb's power to judge. Different from eschewing violence, the conceptual world of the Apocalypse portrays God, the Lamb, and the martyrs as possessing more power, might, and violent potential than the Emperor and his armies. Middleton believes that martyrdom and violence are necessary components of the worldview of Revelation.
Les mer
INTRODUCTION Reading the Violence of the Apocalypse Martyrdom in Revelation Plan of the Book CHAPTER 1: CHRISTIAN ‘PERSECUTION’ AND THE DATING OF REVELATION Introduction The Literary World of the Apocalypse Persecution and Suffering in Revelation The Imperial Cult in Revelation Social Reality and the Apocalypse Persecution and Suffering in the New Testament Persecution in Early Christian Writings The Emperor Cult The Image of the Beast: The Sacrifice Test Josephus Early Christianity Mark Q 12.2–9 Hebrews The Shepherd of Hermas 2 Timothy 1 John Conclusion CHAPTER 2: NO TAME LAMB: CHRISTOLOGY IN THE APOCALYPSE The Lion/Lamb Dichotomy The Lion The Lamb ‘Standing as if Slain’ (Rev 5.6) Sacrificial Lamb Paschal Lamb Isaiah 53 Behold the ‘Ram’ of God The Lion/Lamb: Beyond incongruity CHAPTER 3: THE LAMB AS PROTO-MARTYR The Revelation of Jesus Christ (Rev. 1.1–8) The Testimony of Jesus (Rev. 1.2) The First and the Last (Rev. 1.4) The Faithful Witness (Rev. 1.5–6) Coming on the Clouds (Rev. 1.7) Christophanies in the Apocalypse The Son of Man/Ancient of Days (Rev. 1.12–20) Christological Oracles (Rev. 2–3) The Rider on the White Horse (Rev. 19.11–16) The Lion and the Lamb (Rev. 4–5) CHAPTER 4: THE LAMB AS DIVINE JUDGE Violence and Judgment in the Apocalypse Judgment in the Oracles to the Seven Churches (Rev. 1–3) The Seven Seals and Trumpets (Rev. 6–7) The Sealed Scroll The First four Seals (Rev. 6.1–8) The Sixth Seal: The Day of the Lord (Rev. 6.12–17) Plagues and Torments on the Damned (Rev. 8–16) The Seven Trumpets (Rev. 8.2–9.21; 11.15–19) Two Last Judgements (Rev. 11.15–19; 14.6–20) The Seven Bowls of Wrath (Rev. 15.7–16.21) The Fall of Babylon, The Final Battle, and the Last Judgement (Rev. 17–22) The Fall of Babylon (Rev. 17–18) The Final Battle (Rev. 16.12–16; 17.12–14; 19.11–21) The Last Final Judgement and the New Jerusalem (Rev. 20–22) Conclusion CHAPTER 5: A THEOLOGY OF MARTYRDOM IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION Martyrdom and Judgment Judgement Delayed (Rev. 6.10) God’s Judgment for the Martyrs The Call to Martyrdom Revelation 6.11 Revelation 12.7–17 Revelation 13 Revelation 14 Revelation 7 The Call to Conquer Conquering in the Seven Churches Martyrs as Agents of Divine Judgement Vindication of The Martyrs The Noble Army of Martyrs Martyrs as Rulers (Rev. 20.4–6) Martyrs as Agents of Judgement (Rev. 18.4–8) CONCLUSION
Les mer
Challenges non-violent readings of the Apocalypse by re-examining the role of martyrdom in Revelation.
Explores the interface between early Christianity and Roman imperial worldviews
Formerly the Journal for the Study of the New Testament Supplement, a book series that explores the many aspects of New Testament study including historical perspectives, social-scientific and literary theory, and theological, cultural and contextual approaches. The Early Christianity in Context series, a part of JSNTS, examines the birth and development of early Christianity up to the end of the third century CE. The series places Christianity in its social, cultural, political and economic context. The European Seminar on Christian Origins and Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus Supplement are also part of JSNTS.
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780567257123
Publisert
2018-05-03
Utgiver
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.
Høyde
234 mm
Bredde
156 mm
Aldersnivå
U, 05
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
304

Forfatter
Middleton, Paul

Om bidragsyterne

Paul Middleton is Lecturer in New Testament Studies at the University of Wales, Lampeter, UK.

Relaterte produkter