I just finished reading the book, Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple, by Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett. It is not a commentary, but is a 60,000 foot review of the book of Revelation. It challenges the recent (nineteenth century) predictive readings of the book that are held popularly and reaches back to the ancient common readings of the book. I highly recommend this book to discover that Revelation isn’t as confusing as what you thought and what you may have learned. You might be disappointed if you like to treat the book of Revelation as a Nostradamus-like manual.
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Book Review: Revelation for the Rest of Us: A Prophetic Call to Follow Jesus as a Dissident Disciple by Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett
Revelation is a book that has been misunderstood and misinterpreted for centuries. Popular interpretations often focus on fear and judgment, and can lead to a sense of hopelessness and alienation. But what if Revelation is actually a book of hope and resistance? What if it is a call to follow Jesus as dissident disciples, who stand up against injustice and oppression, and work to create a more just and compassionate world?
In their book, Revelation for the Rest of Us, Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett offer a fresh and insightful reading of Revelation. They argue that the book is not primarily about predicting the future, but rather about providing a vision of hope for the present. They write:
“Revelation is a book about Jesus, and what he is doing in the world today. It is a book about hope, and the victory that God will have over evil. It is a book about resistance, and the call to follow Jesus as dissident disciples.”
McKnight and Matchett challenge many of the traditional interpretations of Revelation. For example, they argue that the book is not about predicting the end of the world, but rather about the end of the present evil age. They also argue that the book is not about a literal battle between good and evil, but rather about the spiritual battle that is taking place in the world today.
One of the most important things that McKnight and Matchett emphasize is that Revelation is a book about discipleship. They write:
“Revelation is a call to follow Jesus as dissident disciples. It is a call to live our lives in resistance to the forces of evil and injustice. It is a call to work for the creation of a new world, a world where God’s justice and love reign supreme.”
McKnight and Matchett’s book is a timely and important work. It offers a fresh and insightful reading of Revelation, and it challenges us to think about what it means to follow Jesus as dissident disciples in the world today.
Here are a few more quotes from the book that highlight its positive and hopeful message:
- “Revelation is a book that calls us to hope. It is a book that reminds us that God is in control, and that he will ultimately triumph over evil.”
- “Revelation is a book that calls us to resist the forces of injustice and oppression. It is a book that calls us to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult.”
- “Revelation is a book that calls us to live our lives in anticipation of a new world, a world where God’s justice and love reign supreme.”
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand Revelation in a new way. It is a book that will challenge your thinking and inspire you to live your life as a dissident disciple of Jesus Christ.
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