Evangelical Distinctives
1)
The Scriptures are inspired (God-breathed,
theopneustos, (2Ti. 3:16)).
Revelation is a supernatural process apart from which the things of
God cannot be known. The natural mind cannot produce divine revelation
apart from God
(2Pe. 1:21).
2)
The original texts of Scripture are inerrant. In the same way that Jesus is
fully God and fully human, but without sin, so the Scriptures were
given through human vessels, yet without error.
3)
The Scriptures are taken at face value as an accurate representation of
historical facts.
Compromising on Evangelical Principles
Some commentators deny one or more of these evangelical fundamentals
in their approach to
The Book of Revelation
or the rest of Scripture.
Wolves in Sheep's Clothing
Those who deny evangelical principles are generally loath to admit it
up-front since Evangelicalism is the standard-bearer of historic, orthodox
Christianity.
Instead of
explicitly
admitting their non-evangelical
beliefs, it often is only found
implicitly
in their teachings.
Examples of Anti-Supernaturalism
Author not Named John
In discussions of authorship, some suggest that the author uses the name
John, but is not really named John. This asks us to believe
that God set forth divine truth packaged as a lie!
Genesis as Legend
Some commentators deny the historic reality of Genesis. Since
Genesis and Revelation are intimately related, this undermines
the historic relevance of Revelation. (This view is known as
limited inerrancy).
Book of Daniel Written After-the-Fact
Some commentators hold that the Book of Daniel was written in the time of
the Maccabees (B.C. 168-165) as a devotional work and its prophecy is
retrospective. (Daniel is foundational to understanding Revelation.)
John Incorporates Pagan Legends and Apocryphal Themes
John did not simply record the things which he saw in the vision, but
carefully crafted a document using his own initiative and
incorporated pagan legends and apocryphal themes
from
extra-biblical
sources.
Style of Writing
Greek Categorized as 'More Primitive'
The Greek text violates some of the normal rules of Greek grammar.
Differences from John's Gospel
John's gospel contains fewer grammatical irregularities
(although
1 John
also contains irregularities).
Some Conclude the Author Can't be John
This is the
primary
evidence used by many to discount John the Apostle as the author of the
Book of Revelation, assuming some other 'John' instead. (We discuss
authorship later.)
Possible Explanations
Hebraic Material and Thought Pattern
Many solecisms occur in Old Testament allusions, as if Hebrew was translated into
Greek without attempting to conform to the Greek idiom. (Reflecting the
intimate tie between Revelation and the Old Testament.)
Heavy Dependence upon Septuagint
Old Testament allusions appear to have close resemblance to the Septuagint text of the
Old Testament. This is thought to have flavored the grammatical style.
Heavy Dependence upon Septuagint
Old Testament allusions appear to have close resemblance to the Septuagint text of the
Old Testament. This is thought to have flavored the grammatical style.
Emotionally Vivid Content
John was experiencing an extremely vivid and fast-paced prophetic vision
"in the spirit." Given the unusual visual content and magnitude of the events portrayed,
smoothness of grammatical style may have suffered.
Emotionally Vivid Content
John was experiencing an extremely vivid and fast-paced prophetic vision
"in the spirit." Given the unusual visual content and magnitude of the events portrayed,
smoothness of grammatical style may have suffered.
Not From Ignorance
The writer gives evidence of a sufficient knowledge of Greek to have
potentially avoided the solecisms if this had been his intent.
Genre
Genre Defined
"A category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, marked by a distinctive style, form, or content."
(American Heritage Dictionary)
No Precise Definition
Assessing Genre is problematic since both the definition of genre and
the elements it involves are highly subjective.
Apocalyptic Genre
Revelation is often categorized as a work in the
"apocalyptic genre"
as if it were more-or-less on a par with uninspired writings also placed in
the same genre.
Motivation
Blurring Inspired/Uninspired Boundaries
The boundary between inspired Scripture (the canon, which includes
Revelation) and uninspired Scripture (e.g., Jewish apocryphal writings) is
blurred.
Revelation: An Imaginative Human Production
Characterized by borrowing of sources, devotional intention, and
after-the-fact prophecy, as other apocryphal writings.
Damaging Conclusions
1)
the book should not be interpreted literally
2)
prophetic content motivated by desire to be optimistic
3)
likely the work of redactors
4)
a veiled political document employing hyperbole
5)
primarily devotional rather than factual
For additional information on this topic, see the commentary.
