God, Order, and Chaos: René Girard and the Apocalypse
Overview
Readers are often disturbed by the images of destruction in the book of Revelation and unsure why they are unleashed after the exaltation of Jesus. This book examines past approaches to these texts and uses René Girard’s theories to revive some old ideas and propose some new ones.
Top Highlights
“Thus, chaos is a term used to describe the undifferentiated state of the universe prior to creation and for anything which tends to move the universe back towards such a condition. When aspects of the created order lose their distinctive characteristics, the things which allow them to be distinguished, the effect is one of chaos.” (Pages 2–3)
“I learned to name the thing of which I had been afraid: chaos.” (Page xvii)
“Tertullian (c. 155–235) was undoubtedly largely literal in his approach to Revelation. Like Justin and Irenaeus, he was a chiliast.” (Page 8)
“The Augustinian advocacy of the views of Tyconius meant that spiritualizing and allegorical interpretations, with little stress on imminent eschatological events, dominated the reading of Revelation until the Medieval period.” (Page 14)
“The futurist method of interpreting Revelation is often traced to the work of Ribeira (1591). According to this school of thought, the plagues are references to future events associated with the end of the world.” (Page 24)
Product Details
- Title: God, Order, and Chaos: Rene´ Girard and the Apocalypse
- Author: Stephen Finamore
- Publisher: Paternoster Press
- Publication Date: 2004
- Pages: 344