The Letters to the Seven Churches

by William M. Ramsay

This edited and updated edition of Ramsay's classic work has, except for the omission of a lengthy poem in chapter 14, left the original material intact. The language and style were updated for the modern reader, modern place names were used, and a modern translation is the source of scripture citations. Notes especially have been updated and corrected, and fuller bibliography is provided whenever possible. Photographs and diagrams from the original are retained. Anyone interested in Asia Minor or the book of Revelation will find this resource invaluable. ". . . Sir William Ramsay's exposition of the letters to the seven churches of Asia has continued to attract readers for the greater part of a century—and it is likely to remain of interest well into the next century. As the first Professor of Classical Archaeology at Oxford University, Ramsay pioneered the study of antiquity in what is today western Turkey. He went on to devote the latter part of his life to applying what he had learned to the study of the New Testament in a most fruitful manner. More recent scholars, such as Colin Hemer, have brought Ramsay's research up-to-date in the light of more recent research; however, it is always good to go back to the fountainhead of such a study. Ramsay's work remains a classic in the field and should be a part of every Bible scholar's personal library."
—W. Ward Gasque, Dean of Graduate Studies, Eastern College

Genres: History, New Testament

Paperback

First published January 1, 1904

About the author

Sir William Mitchell Ramsay, FBA was a Scottish archaeologist and New Testament scholar. By his death in 1939 he had become the foremost authority of his day on the history of Asia Minor and a leading scholar in the study of the New Testament. From the post of Professor of Classical Art and Architecture at Oxford, he was appointed Regius Professor of Humanity (the Latin Professorship) at Aberdeen. Knighted in 1906 to mark his distinguished service to the world of scholarship, Ramsay also gained three honourary fellowships from Oxford colleges, nine honourary doctorates from British, Continental and North American universities and became an honourary member of almost every association devoted to archaeology and historical research. He was one of the original members of the British Academy, was awarded the Gold Medal of Pope Leo XIII in 1893 and the Victorian Medal of the Royal Geographical Society in 1906.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although written in 1904 this book is still a valuable read if one is studying the book of Revelation, or has an interest in the cities of the province of Asia during the early 2nd Century.

[Ruthie Oberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE book for a grasp of the historical and geographical background of ancient Asia Minor, from the discovery period of the 19th century.

[Cari]

another dry book written around the turn of the century. But it was written by an archeologist. He talks a lot about how John's letters were written in a way that his contemporaries would understand that *we* are moderns do not. Similar to a person who lives in the Amazon hearing about email. We know exactly what we're talking about, but a person from the Amazon has no frame of reference. The author also talks about john's relationship with each of the churches. I recommend it, but start reading in ch 17 where the author actually starts talking about the 7 churches. The first 16 chapters are prelude. (smh, academics!)

[Ray Boshers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Seven Churches In Their Natural Setting

There is much to be learned about the seven cities that John writes to. Mr.Ramsay does an excellent job of helping us to get to know those cities. Whether it concerns the people or the geography of the city being written to, he brings it all together in the light of Scripture. Reading this book will give you greater insight into those seven letters and the cities they were written to.

[CuriousBob · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important book, first published in 1904, written by a classical scholar and archeologist. It offers a post-graduate treatment of the historical sites addressed in The Revelation of St. John. I appreciated the premise that the text in Revelation--as well as all of the Bible--had a meaning the first readers would understand (at least superficially). Please read widely!

[Rick Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a saying “Less is more”. That is not the 1904 English Professor style of writing in this book. There are conclusions drawn from a 1904, Amillenial perspective that may not be entirely correct given modern archaeological finds, but there is great value in this writing and the historical context drawn out as the background for each letter to the seven churches of Asia which begin the letter of Revelation (The Apocalypse)

I give it 4/5 stars simply for the verbose writing style. Other than that, i give it 5 stars for information provided.

[Ronald Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Biblical Geography Given

I chose this rating because there is no plot to this description of Letters to the Seven Churches only facts of the corresponding cities and their surroundings. RM

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

7 cities on revelation

The study of the 7 churches mentioned in the revelation. The study was trying to answer why these 7 churches mentioned with the study of these 7 cities since then an now.

[Prof. Luis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very scholarly but poor in Christian principles

This is fantastic book in what concerns historical information. However the link between history and Christian life or even Church history is very slim. I found the chapters from Pember's book more useful.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ramsay’s work is dated but still a classic to consult on the seven churches of Revelation.

[Michael Walker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sir Wm. Ramsay (1851-1939) was a respected archaeologist and classical scholar at the turn of the last century. Ramsay covers the seven churches found in the biblical book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, alll located n Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). The book, though slightly dated, remains a classic. The only other comparable work that I am aware of is Colin J. Hemer's "Letters to the Seven Churches in Asia in Their Local Setting," published in 1986.

[Rob Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published in 1904, this work is an early report on the region and archeology of the seven churches of Asia (in modern Turkey). While it's informative from a historical and cultural perspective, I found Ramsay's biblical understanding and commentary rather poor.