The Revelation of John: A Narrative Commentary

by James L. Resseguie

As the only book of its kind in the New Testament, Revelation can be difficult to understand, and for readers without specialized training, the historical-critical approach used in many commentaries can provide more complication than illumination. Here James Resseguie applies the easily understandable tools introduced in his primer on narrative criticism to this challenging book. He shows how Revelation uses such features as rhetoric, setting, character, point of view, plot, symbolism, style, and repertoire to construct its meaning. This literary approach draws out the theological and homiletical message of the book and highlights its major unifying the need to listen well, an overwhelmingly God-centered perspective, and the exodus to a new promised land. Here is a valuable aid for pastor and serious lay reader alike.

Genres: Theology

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Gwilym Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between 3 stars and 4 stars really. The intro makes harder work of rhetoric than it needs to, the coverage of the last few chapters of Revelation is a bit weak, and he's surprisingly average on structure. His focus means he tends to assert rather than explain OT connections - feels like there could be benefit in unpacking his methodology here. But then there are some great moments (for example on the effect of breaking the seal and trumpet progressions), and some good observations overall. Probably 3.5 overall? I'll round up.

[Alan Fuller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Resseguie uses the tools of narrative criticism and close attention to the literal level of the text. He draws on a wide survey of modern interpreters to assist him.