Everyday Apocalypse

[DvChWi]

OK, new thread.  The part in which he mentions the book of Revelation not being literal is in the first chapter, with the heading "A Word on the Big One", or something like that.  I don't have the book with me now, though.  Did I get that section wrong or what?

[Josh]

I remember the section, but not the specific message that you mentioned. I'll read back through it and come back to this thread later today.

[Josh]

I just reread that section (as well as the entire "Bearing Witness" chapter... mmm, great stuff there!), and I honestly don't see any indication that Dark sees Revelation as anything but a legitimate part of the canon, just as truthful and important as any other part of the Bible.

What Dark does do is assert that Revelation falls under the genre of "apocalyptic literature," which sounds fair to me.

Any particular passages or lines in there that bothered you? Because I'm honestly having trouble seeing your interpretation. So I might just be missing something.

Oh, and a few favorite quotes from chapter 1, which I have underlined in my book:

"Apocalyptic maximizes the reality of human suffering and folly before daring a world of hope (lest too light winning make the prize light). The hope has nowhere else to happen but the valley of the shadow of death."

"For the apocalyptic mind, there isn't a secular molecule in the universe, no matter outside the scope of its coming kingdom, no nook or cranny exempt from the redemption it announces."

The part about Tolkien is great, too, but too long to quote here.

[DvChWi]

Ok, I read the passage again, and I retract my statement about his view of the literalness of the book of Revelation.  The reason I thought he was saying that was because of a few of his interpretations struck me as different, and non-literal.  But, upon looking closer, I realized that while his view differs from mine, it still could be considered a literal interpretation.

[Josh]

Ok, that makes more sense.  

[Josh]

Just finished this book for the fourth time. Man, what fantastic ideas! And wonderful writing, as well. This is one that ALL Christian thinkers should read, especially those concerned with the arts.