Abstract
Since the inception of the series of Paideia Commentaries on the New Testament several of the volumes have provided outstanding treatments of the New Testament text being analysed. Moreover, the features provided by the series, including lavish illustrations, summary tables, and sidebars with key information, make these volumes particularly attractive to students and general readers alike. In this way, the volumes fulfil their aim to be paideia for a wide audience.
This latest volume by Sigve Tonstad treating the complex and contested text of Revelation is no exception. In line with the aims of the series, this analysis of Revelation takes into account ‘the cultural, literary, and theological settings in which the text took form’ along with ‘the interests of the contemporary readers’ (p. ix). Tonstad provides a helpful introduction (pp. 3-41) that orients readers to several issues of setting, interpretation, and structure. Tonstad gives a helpful overview of attempts to read the message of Revelation as reflecting a crisis for believers often in terms of conflict with prevailing Roman power (pp. 8-18). However, such accounts are rejected with it being argued that they lack explanatory power for interpreting the text. Instead, Tonstad argues that the ‘perspective is cosmic more than it is Roman’, the text ‘is shaped by the biblical narrative more than by imperial life’, the plot is concerned with ‘imitation more than the notion of parody’, and that the text ‘is truly prophetic’ (pp. 19-20). These views inform Tonstad’s treatment of this perennially rich and fascinating writing.
In terms of genre, Tonstad states that the text is rightly recognised as being ‘an apocalyptic book but not in the sense that it is crisis literature and thus typical of the apocalyptic genre’ (p. 29). It is suggested that the author of the fourth gospel is the same person responsible for writing Revelation. ‘Writers of such insight and perspicuity do not come in bulk. Finding one would be remarkable; finding two is a lot less plausible than finding one. But we find one’ (p. 34). There is a helpful discussion of multiple structural features, prior to Tonstad presenting his own views (pp. 35-41). It is apparent that Tonstad is happy to develop his ideas and theories in regard to introductory issues.
The exegesis forms the major contribution of this commentary (pp. 43-346). Most larger sectional divisions commence with a discussion of introductory matters relevant to the larger portion of text. Thereafter, the text is discussed by individual pericopae. There is little reference to the Greek text, but where necessary words or phrases are discussed with reference to standard lexical tools. Each section concludes with a discussion of the theological issues that emerge from the text.
This is a helpful addition to commentary treatments of Revelation. It compliments other strong examples of analysis of the text, and it often provides fresh insights or offers new perspectives on the text.