Can anyone recommend a good book (or books) for help in understanding the Book of Daniel and the Book of Revelation? I would like to read a non-JW version.
Book of Daniel and Book of Revelation
by TweetieBird 4 Replies latest jw friends
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Leolaia
There are many good critical commentaries. I would suggest you check out some of the major series, e.g. the Word Biblical Commentary (John Goldingay/Daniel, David E. Aune/Revelation), International Critical Commentary (James A. Montgomery/Daniel, R. H. Charles/Revelation), Critical and Exegetical Commentary (R. H. Charles/Daniel, R. H. Charles/Revelation), Anchor Bible (Louis Hartman & Alexander DiLella/Daniel, J. M. Ford/Revelation), New International Greek Testament Commentary (Gregory K. Beale/Revelation), and Hermeneia Critical and Historical Commentary (John Collins/Daniel). Each series has a different approach and style. Aune's commentary of Revelation is probably the best ever produced, but it is far too technical for a novice, Ford's is good but hampered by an unfortunate eccentric theory of authorship, Charles' commentary is a bit dated and also rather technical, so I think Beale's is probably the one I'd recommend -- bear in mind that it is still a massive and detailed work although easier to follow than some of the others. Also you might be interested in Richard Bauckham's The Theology of the Book of Revelation. As far as Daniel is concerned, I'd instantly recommend Collins' commentary which is very user-friendly and scholarly. I would recommend a Hermeneia commentary on Revelation if one exists, but alas one hasn't been published yet. The other commentaries on Daniel are all great, probably Montgomery's is the most detailed and useful for deeper study. Goldingay's commentary is also excellent, and Hartman & DiLella's volume is probably the most succinct and found in most major libraries.
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Mrs. Fiorini
I would recommend "Unveiling Empire: Reading Revelation Then and Now" by Wes Howard-Brook and Anthony Gwyther. The theme of this work is that the book of Revelation is about the Roman Empire during the first century. Even so, the book posits that Revelation has a message for our modern world.
This book does not take an "end times" approach that Armageddon is just around the corner.
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Leolaia
Mrs. Fiorini....That sounds like a pretty good book, thanks for the recommendation! I am always an advocate of endeavoring to read ancient books in light of their historical and social context, such as how their original audiences would have (probably) read them. The Society instead simply uses Daniel and Revelation as cyphers of their own organizational history, caring little about actual exegetical understanding of text itself.
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TweetieBird
Thanks to the both of you for the info...I guess I have some reading to do.