An Apocalypse for the Church and for the World: The Narrative Function of Universal Language in the Book of Revelation

317 Pages·2006·24.01 MB·English

by  Ronald Herms

Ronald Herms
Λη Apocalypse for the Church and for the World
Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die
neutestamentliche Wissenschaft
und die Kunde der älteren Kirche
Herausgegeben von
James D. G. Dunn · Carl R. Holladay
Hermann Lichtenberger · Jens Schröter
Gregory E. Sterling · Michael Wolter
Band 143
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DE
G
Walter de Gruyter · Berlin · New York
Ronald Herms
An Apocalypse for the Church
and for the World
The Narrative Function of Universal Language
in the Book of Revelation
W
DE
G_
Walter de Gruyter · Berlin · New York
® Printed on acid-free paper which falls within the guidelines
of the ANS Τ to ensure permanence and durability.
ISBN-13: 978-3-11-019312-1
ISBN-10: 3-11-019312-4
ISSN 0171-6441
Library of Congress CaUiloging-in-Publicaiion Data
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.
Bibliographic information published by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie;
detailed bibliographic data are available in the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de.
© Copyright 2006 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, D-10785 Berlin
All rights reserved, including those of translation into foreign languages. No part of this book
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permis-
sion in writing from the publisher.
Printed in Germany
Cover design: Christopher Schneider, Berlin
For Kathy,
and for
Annaliese, Jaeden, Adrienne & Avrielle

Preface
This monograph initially took shape in post-graduate research carried
out at the Durham University (UK). I wish to thank my Doktorvater,
Prof Loren Τ. Stuckenbruck, for his cheerful guidance and constant
encouragement. I have been inspired by his intellectual integrity and
passion for early Jewish literature. Profs Jimmy Dunn and John Barclay
gave leadership to the stimulating environment of the Department of
Theology & Religion in Durham. Dr Sven Soderlund has incarnated the
terms 'mentor' / 'counselor' with consistently timely counsel. Earlier
drafts of this material benefited from the editorial comments of Ms
Naomi Jacobs and Dr Archie Wright. Finally, I am grateful to the
editors at Walter de Gruyter for the opportunity to publish this work.
In particular Carsten Burfeind, provided helpful comments in the final
stages of publication. I gratefully acknowledge these influential 'voices'
in my work; for any remaining shortcomings I am solely responsible.
Numerous institutions and societies provided funding during our
time in Durham: the governments of Alberta and Canada; Panacea
Society (Bedford); Ustinov College (Durham); the Department of
Theology & Religion (Durham). Further, among numerous family and
friends who supported our family, I wish to acknowledge in particular
Randy & Debbie Pick, George Rabb, and the scholarship program of
New Life Assembly (Delta, BC). Finally, our parents, Rev Reinhold and
Elsie Herms and Walter and Sharon Beselt, have been a constant source
of prayerful support and generous financial commitment. During our
time in Durham, we found welcoming community at St John's College,
St Nicholas Anglican Church, and King's Church. So many people have
made a lasting impact on our family but perhaps none so as Brad and
Kori Embry and Archie Wright. Our memories of these years will
always include, and carry into the future, the gift of their friendship.
No one has believed more steadfastly, or waited more patiently,
throughout the past five years than Kathy. She has taken every
challenge as an adventure, kept faith and hope alive, made our house a
home (wherever that was!), and provided what I needed most - a best
friend. Annaliese, Jaeden, Adrienne and Avrielle are constant
reminders of God's great and delightful gift of companionship. It is to
my family that this book is dedicated.
Tcö καθημένω έτη τώ θρόνορ και τω άρνίω ή ευλογία KCU ή τιμή
και ή δόξα και τό κράτος ε\ς τους αιώνας τών α'ιωυωυ

Table of Contents
Preface vii
Table of Contents ix
Abbreviations (Publication and Standard) xiii
Chapter One: Introduction 1
1.1 Description of the Problem 1
1.2 Identifying the Issues 2
1.3 Purpose of the Present Study 3
1.4 History of Interpretation 5
1.4.1 Source Criticism 5
1.4.1.1 Wilhem Bousset 6
1.4.1.2 R.H.Charles 9
1.4.1.3 Josephine Massyngberde-Ford 10
1.4.1.4 Ulrich Β. Müller 12
1.4.1.5 David Aune 14
1.4.2 Mainstream Commentaries on Revelation 19
1.4.2.1 Martin Kiddle 19
1.4.2.2 Robert Mounce 22
1.4.2.3 G.B. Caird 24
1.4.2.4 John Sweet 26
1.4.3 Literary-Narrative Approaches to Revelation 28
1.4.3.1 David L.Barr 29
1.4.3.2 Eugene Boring 31
1.4.3.3 Leonard Thompson 34
1.4.4 Richard Bauckham and the 'Conversion of the Nations' 37
1.5 Method and Assumptions 44
Chapter Two: Early Jewish Literature 50
2.1 Introduction 50
Excursus One: Qumran - Eschatological Dualism and the Fate
of the Nations 52
2.2 Tobit 61
2.2.1 Introduction 61
2.2.2 Textual Unity and the Authenticity of Tobit 13.1-14.15 62
2.2.3 Literary Context and Narrative Development: An
Intentional Boundary Shift? 67