Social science commentary on the book of Revelations

Malina and Pilch take John of Patmos at his word. They believe that John's vision of the heavens is an astrological vision. According to Malina and Pilch the ancients looked to the cosmos to predict the future and John of Patmos was no exception. The author of Revelation presents himself as John, the astral seer, who professes faith in the Resurrected Jesus and who belonged to the house of Israel. John writes of traveling into the sky; but this perspective of "sky-visions" is completely neglected in the traditional commentaries and studies on Revelation . Malina and Pilch demonstrate the necessity of taking ancient sky-interpretation seriously for reading the book of Revelation in its first- century context. Building on their earlier works on Revelation , and using this highly successful commentary model, Malina and Pilch have charted a new direction for Revelation studies. Includes line- drawings and photographs, as well as charts and diagrams on ancient Mediterranean astrology. "Rather than covering the same ground as other commentaries, the authors address issues of altered states of consciousness, the ancient economy, honor and shame, social deviance, group formation processes, and purity codes. Their use of comparative material from the Old Testament, Pseudepigrapha, and Greco-Roman writings will open a window for the reader on ancient Mediterranean perceptions of activities in the sky in relation to those on earth. This interpretation enriches our reading of the Bible's most provocative book by clarifying how John's astral visions deepened hope in the midst of the early churches' struggles."--Résumé de l'éditeur

rather Than Covering The Same Ground As Other Commentaries, The Authors Address Issues Of Altered States Of Consciousness, The Ancient Economy, Honor And Shame, Social Deviance, Group Formation Processes, And Purity Codes. Their Use Of Comparative Material From The Old Testament, Pseudepigrapha, And Greco-roman Writings Will Open A Window For The Reader On Ancient Mediterranean Perceptions Of Activities In The Sky In Relation To Those On Earth. This Interpretation Enriches Our Reading Of The Bible's Most Provocative Book By Clarifying How John's Astral Visions Deepened Hope In The Midst Of The Early Churches' Struggles.