Reading Revelation Responsibly

Uncivil Worship and Witness: Following the Lamb into the New Creation

De: Michael J. Gorman

Narrado por: Shawn Compton

Reading Revelation Responsibly is for those who are confused by, afraid of, and or preoccupied with the book of Revelation. In rescuing the Apocalypse from those who either completely misinterpret it or completely ignore it, Michael Gorman has given us both a guide to reading Revelation in a responsible way and a theological engagement with the text itself. He takes interpreting the book as a serious and sacred responsibility, believing how one reads, teaches, and preaches Revelation can have a powerful impact on one's own—and other people's—well-being. Gorman pays careful attention to the book's original historical and literary contexts, its connections to the rest of Scripture, its relationship to Christian doctrine and practice, and its potential to help or harm people in their life of faith. Rather than a script for the end times, Gorman demonstrates how Revelation is a script for Christian worship, witness, and mission that runs counter to culturally embedded civil religion.

©2011 Michael J. Gorman (P)2023 Dreamscape Media

Unique Perspective

Took me out of my theological bias and opened my eyes to a broader spectrum of truth.

Balanced & needed viewpoint

An inspiring Biblical account of Revelation that inspires the soul and educates the mind. Way better than the Pre-Millennial rapture craze.

Well laid out

Gorman does a great job at laying the differing views. He challenges today’s prevailing view and leaves the reader well informed to make a decision on the text. The narrator gives a good performance but seems not to be familiar with the subject and mispronounces a lot of terms.

The Slain Lamb is the Center

This book is powerful! It shows us that the slain Lamb (Christ) is the center of the Revelation and he conqures only as a Lamb. This is the Christ we are to follow. Gorman gives us a beautiful picture of the spiritual battle we are in tells that the way to victory is the nonviolent following of Christ. This will require undivided allegiance, prayer and fasting, and relationships with other Christians.

Might be the best book I have ever read.

A trustworthy guide given the space limitations.

Great place to whet your appetite for those interested in responsible study of the most irresponsibly understood book of every time.

Excellent

Dispensationalism has been so popular in recent decades that many Christians don’t know of other readings of Revelation, and many writers and pastors avoid it in their books and sermons. This book presents a solid analysis of this puzzling book and uncovers its powerful message. Highly recommended!

Encouraging and challenging

Wow! Rarely do I take in a book that is as challenging yet encouraging as this one.

Clear call to faithful witness; light on judgment and cosmic conflict

Gorman’s Reading Revelation Responsibly is clear, pastoral, and focused on worship that resists idolatry. I appreciated his framing of “Babylon” as the merger of religious and secular power, and his critique of American civil religion. As someone raised Anabaptist, his emphasis on the church’s nonviolent witness rang true. The audiobook performance is excellent: steady pace, clean diction, and a tone that fits the material.

Where I diverge: the violent judgment scenes often feel softened. Symbolic does not mean unreal. Revelation still points to a concrete and consequential reckoning that includes repentance and final separation. I also wanted stronger integration with the wider apocalyptic thread of Scripture. The links to Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24 are noted but not fully developed. The focus on the United States is helpful pastorally, yet it can overshadow the longer history of Christian imperialisms since Constantine. Finally, on Israel and the nations, Romans 11 leaves room for a future gracious turning of many ethnic Jews to Jesus within the unified people of God.

Helpful, thought-provoking, and well narrated. I just wanted more apocalyptic weight and tighter biblical stitching.

Excellent presentation of difficult subject.

Excellent defense of a counter cultural interpretation of the Revelation. Although I disagree with some of his final conclusions, they are well presented and researched. I strongly recommend a careful reading of this book.

Excellent treatment of the subject

It's an excellent book and an antidote to bondage to Dispensationalism. I'm definitely going to have to give it a second listen to completely plumb it's depths.