The Book of Revelation in Music and Liturgy

2020 ◽  
pp. 430-446
Author(s):  
Paul Westermeyer
Keyword(s):  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
Worship Music ◽  
Secret Code ◽  
The Church ◽  
Time Move

This chapter discusses Revelation’s soundscape and meaning as a huge hymn festival around the marriage feast of the Lamb. It is about God’s goodness, mercy, and power over evil in a cosmic view, not a secret code for our calendars. Relationships between the book of Revelation and the church’s liturgy and music are explained, along with influences from the liturgy to Revelation and from Revelation to the liturgy. The Sanctus and Agnus Dei of the Ordinary, hymns, and other music for the worship of the church are included. Oratorios and Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for the End of Time move to music, which, though outside the liturgy, also relate to Revelation and express its themes. Some implications about Revelation’s relevance for worship, music, and life together conclude the article. In Messiaen’s words, “It is all love.”

Perspectives on Evil in the Book of Revelation

2020 ◽  
pp. 273-289
Author(s):  
Gregory Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
Social Situation ◽  
Kingdom Of God ◽  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
Roman Culture ◽  
The Church

This chapter argues that the concept of evil in the book of Revelation is defined in terms of opposition to the kingdom of God and is, therefore, closely tied to the book’s social situation. Some scholars argue that the oppression of faithful Christians by Rome is the underlying context; this has led to a view that evil is primarily external to the church. Other scholars argue that compromise and accommodation with Roman culture is the underlying context, which has led to a view that evil is both internal and external to the church, but it does not involve overt oppression. This chapter suggests that Revelation addresses both the oppressed and the compromised through the use of a warfare metaphor. Revelation posits that victory over evil occurs through faithful witness, both of Christ and of his followers, and the faithfulness of God to his creation.

scholarly journals Encomium on the Twenty-four Elders ascribed to Proclus of Cyzicus (М. 591 f. 1r–11v)

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 1379-1396
Author(s):  
L. R. Frangulyan ◽  
V. V. Shtefan
Keyword(s):  
Russian Translation ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Literary Translation ◽  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
John Chrysostom ◽  
Kingdom Of Heaven ◽  
Russian Literary ◽  
Eastern Traditions ◽  
The Church

The 24 elders are the biblical image that is found only in the Book of Revelation of John the Apostle. They surround the throne of God and are endowed with certain attributes of glory. In the Ancient Church this image was interpreted in different ways. This article presents the first Russian literary translation of Coptic text signed as Encomium in honor of the 24 elders. The translation was carried out from the edition, which was published with the Italian translation in 1977 by Antonella Maresca. The author of Encomium is declared Proclus of Cyzicus, who later became the Patriarch of Constantinople. However, this is a pseudo-attribution, namely, this hierarch did not write this Encomium, and its real author remains unknown. The Italian translator divides the text into 33 paragraphs, and in the preface to Coptic edition highlights the four parts of Encomium. Two of them, dedicated to John Chrysostom and the exegetical interpretation of the first chapter of Genesis, seem to be interpolations. But after analyzing the entire narrative it is possible to say that these parts are embedded in the narrative. Also the features of the Coptic veneration of the 24 elders, which are reflected in Encomium, are discussed in the introduction to Russian translation. In particular, the bodiless nature of the 24 elders. Their unknown origin is emphasized several times in Encomium, the priestly role of these elders in the Kingdom of Heaven is also noted. It can be stated that the author of Encomium in the first two parts acts as a storyteller-historian of the Church, conveying information about John Chrysostom, and in the last two as an exegete. The image of 24 elders in Eastern traditions is a little studied topic and acquaintance with the Coptic tradition thanks to the translation of this Encomium opens up opportunities for comparative studies.

scholarly journals Cosmology in the book of Revelation

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert J.C. Jordaan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Space ◽  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
New Creation ◽  
Spatial Sense ◽  
The Earth ◽  
The Church

The cosmology of the book of Revelation mainly involves God’s restored reign over the created universe (κόσμος). Throughout the book, the κόσμος is depicted according to its constituent parts, namelyheaven, sea and earth. At first sight, this threefold description seems to stem from the ancient Jewish and mythological three-storied cosmological view of ‘up-above’, ‘here-below’ and ‘down-under’. However, this correspondence proves to be only superficial. Heaven is used by John not as much in spatial sense as in temporal sense: as symbolic reference to a divine point above time and history. Heaven is also a qualitative reference to a situation of complete obedient worship to God. Earth in John’s visions is mostly used as metaphor for sinful mankind under the rule of Satan. Yet, the earth remains part of God’s creation under his divine authority, and even becomes a refuge for the church in this dispensation. The sea in Revelation, when not denoting a physical space, is often equated by scholars to the abyss or the underworld. However, in Revelation the sea is mostly used as metaphor for the basic evil from which the beast originates and of everything immoral and impure. The last chapters of Revelation reveal that in the eschaton heaven, sea and earth will all be part of the new creation − renewed to the point where God’s reign is restored and acknowledged above all doubt throughout the κόσμος.Kosmologie in die boek van Openbaring. Die kosmologie van Openbaring getuig van God se herstelde regering oor die geskape heelal (κόσμος). Regdeur die boek word die κόσμος volgens sy samestellende dele beskryf, naamlik hemel, see en aarde. Oppervlakkig beskou, lyk hierdie beskrywing na die antieke Joodse en mitologiese drie-verdieping-kosmologie van ‘daar bo’, ‘hier onder’ en ‘daar onder’. Hierdie ooreenkoms is egter slegs oppervlakkig. Hemel word deur Johannes nie soseer in ruimtelike sin gebruik nie, maar in temporele sin: as simboliese verwysing dat God bo tyd en geskiedenis verhewe is. Hemel is ook ’n kwalitatiewe verwysing na ’n toestand van volmaakte gehoorsame aanbidding van God. Desgelyks word aarde meestal gebruik as metafoor vir ’n sondige mensdom onder Satan se heerskappy. Tog bly die aarde deel van God se skepping onder sy goddelike heerskappy, en word dit selfs aangetoon as ’n toevlugsoord vir die kerk in hierdie bedeling. Waar die see in Openbaring nie na ’n fisiese verskynsel verwys nie, word dit dikwels deur biblioloë op gelyke vlak met die diep put of die onderwêreld gestel. Johannes gebruik die see egter meestal as metafoor vir die boosheid waaruit die dier sy oorsprong het, asook vir alles wat sondig en onrein is. Openbaring 21 en 22 maak bekend dat hemel, see en aarde in die eschatondeel sal wees van die nuwe skepping − vernuwe tot op die punt waar God se heerskappy herstel is en erken word regdeur die κόσμος.

scholarly journals Uncovering key biblical principle in handling disputable music matters in missio Dei perspective – a basic theoretical study

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. Buys ◽  
Aaron T. Muswubi
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Study ◽  
Missional Church ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
Liturgical Music ◽  
Worship Music ◽  
Multicultural Context ◽  
Biblical Principles ◽  
Time And Energy ◽  
The Church

This article investigates key biblical principles in handling disputable music matters from Romans 14:1–15:13 and their implications for a missional church. It becomes clear that the principles uncovered in this biblical passage are synecdochically and analogically applicable to many varied disputable matters, which could confront the church anywhere at any given time. These matters include disputes on worship music and songs. The multicultural context in which the church find herself in cities, continues to pose a challenge to individual Christians and the church as a body. Hence, it exposes both Christians and the church to more and more inevitable need for clear biblical principles in handling disputable matters including liturgical music wars. The goal of this article is not only to reduce time and energy used in arguing over disputable matters, but also to turn the disagreements into redeeming encounters, which will strengthen the missional witness of the church by enriching diversity in unity.Die ontsluiting van bybelse sleutelbeginsels vir die hantering van strydvrae oor liturgiesemusiek vanuit ’n missio Dei perspektief – ’n basiese teoriese studie. Hierdie artikel ondersoekbybelse sleutelbeginsels vir die hantering van strydvrae oor liturgiese sang en musiek vanuit Romeine 14:1–15:13 en die implikasies daarvan vir ’n missionale kerk. Die beginsels wat vanuit hierdie Skrifgedeelte ontsluit word, kan sinvol toegepas word op ’n verskeidenheid van sake wat nie-essensieel van aard is, maar waaroor daar oral en altyd skerp standpuntverskille in kerke voorkom. Dit sluit debatte oor musiek en sang in die erediens in. Die multikulturele konteks waarin kerke hulle bevind vra na duidelike beginsels wat as uitgangspunte in debatte oor liturgiese musiek kan dien. Die doel van hierdie artikel is nie net om baie tyd en energie wat dikwels aan sulke debatte bestee word, te verminder nie, maar ook om strydvrae om te keer in positiewe opbouende en verrykende ontmoetings, en die kerk se missionale getuienis oor eenheid en verskeidenheid te versterk.

scholarly journals Uno scandalo nello scandalo L’Apocalisse come eccezione nel canone neotestamentario

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ermanno Antonioli
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
The Church

The textual canon of the New Testament established by the Church is usually regarded as the model par excellence of a canon’s strict coherency and normativity. Nonetheless, what is explored here is that this archetypal model of a canon carries in itself an almost irresolvable problem of incoherency, constituted by the Book of Revelation. Thus, the aim of this contribution is firstly to show why this book represents a remarkable exception in the New Testament canon for its genre, content and tone (§§ 1, 2); and secondly to show how it could have been possible that such an eccentric element compared to the canon’s usual criteria has been accepted in the New Testament, and what the implications and consequences have been (§ 3).

Homiletikai tűnődések a Jelenések könyve 5,1–7 kapcsán

2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-206
Author(s):  
Zsolt Görözdi ◽  
◽  
Keyword(s):  
Biblical Text ◽  
Human History ◽  
Apocalyptic Literature ◽  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
The Many ◽  
The Church

Abstract. Homiletical Reflections on the Book of Revelation 5:1–7. The passage mentioned in the title bears several motifs and style characteristics of the apocalyptic literature. One of the many difficulties dealing with the text is that such motifs convey the message (Kerygma) in apocalyptic coded language. Therefore, this study seeks to study the biblical text from the aspect of homiletics. It endeavours to provide some guidepost for preaching and to unfold the messages that are relevant for today’s listeners in the church. It addresses several significant topics such as God’s rule, Christ’s (the Lamb slain) mandate, stepping on the throne, the judgement about the earthly power, and the interpretation of human history in the light of divine rule. Keywords: apocalyptic, Book of Revelation, history, God’s omnipotence, the stepping in the throne of the Lamb

An “Echo in the Soul”: Worship Music in Evangelical Spanish-Language Latino Churches of Oregon

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 203-225
Author(s):  
Deborah L. Berhó
Keyword(s):  
Roman Catholic ◽  
Spanish Language ◽  
Latino Population ◽  
Worship Music ◽  
Protestant Church ◽  
Significant Growth ◽  
Protestant Churches ◽  
Worship Services ◽  
The Church ◽  
The U.S

Abstract While a majority of the fast-growing U.S. Latino population is Roman Catholic, a significant and growing percentage is Protestant – some calculate that they now number 10 million in the U.S. Despite this significant growth, Latino Protestant churches remain understudied, particularly the music in worship services. Several Latino theologians criticize the music as being of foreign extraction, a form of neocolonialism in the church, not an autochthonous expression of worship. However, these claims do not align with music actually being used in these congregations. This carefully documented study of 25 Spanish language Protestant churches in Oregon reveals that, while music used in worship at one time may have been created and imposed by non-Latinos, this is no longer the case, and bi-musicality is the norm, reflecting the diaspora and agency of the Latino Protestant church.

Gobal and Local: Worship Music and the ‘Logophonic’ Principle, or Lessons from the Songhai

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 219-232
Author(s):  
John R Devalve
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Music ◽  
New Music ◽  
Local Identity ◽  
Global Identity ◽  
Worship Music ◽  
Local Identities ◽  
Prophetic Voice ◽  
African Churches ◽  
The Church ◽  
Theological Thinking

The Christian church has always lived in tension between its global and its local identities, between gospel and culture. One aspect in which this tension plays out is in worship music. As the gospel came to them, many African churches adopted a North American/European form of song, ignoring or neglecting their local, traditional music. They opted for a more global identity and minimized their local identity. The church amongst the Songhai of West Africa is an example of this phenomenon. A church that neglects its local identity, however, has little appeal to the surrounding society and loses its prophetic voice to the community. Resolving the tension between the two identities is an important matter for every church. Thinking through worship music practices plays a key part in resolving this tension. A tool called the ‘logophonic’ principle may be of help in this regard. The tool looks at both words (lyrics) and sounds (accompaniment) to reexamine and renew worship practices and craft new music for congregations. This article explains how this tool might work and urges the necessity of good theological thinking and about worship and worship music.

scholarly journals Volharding as sentrale gegewe in die boek Openbaring

1998 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. G. S. Venter ◽  
J. A. Du Rand
Keyword(s):  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
The Church

This article attempts to indicate that the Book of Revelation as an apocalypse has a special way of inducing its readers, the church, to listen to its message. The Book of Revelation depicts the church as experiencing specific internal and external problems. A solution to these problems is founded in a theocentric perspective - a perspective in which the deeds of God are the foundation by which the church perseveres. The Book of Revelation describes the persevering activities of the church in its proclamation of the gospel, its liturgical activities, its reading of Scripture, hymns and prayers and its actions aimed at purifying the church of unacceptable influences.

scholarly journals Totius en die boek Openbaring

1999 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
H.A. Louw
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Asia Minor ◽  
Greek Text ◽  
Brute Force ◽  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
History Of ◽  
Present Tense ◽  
The City ◽  
The Church

Totius and the Book of Revelation In his sermons on the book Revelation, published in 1921, the Afrikaans theologian and poet, Prof. J.D. du Toit, better known under the pseudonym Totius, took the “futurist” view as the principal way to explain this Bible book. Elements of other views like the “historicist view” were also followed, especially in the sermon on the seven churches in Asia Minor, which regarded each church as concerned with later periods in the history of Western Europe. According to Du Toit the scene of the sealing of the servants of God (7:1-8) and of the great multitude mentioned later in the chapter (7:9-17) is set at the end of time. It should, however, be better to interpret chapter 7:1-8 as the church in John's time and the vast crowd of people from every nation as an image of the redeemed in the bliss of heaven. The multitude who comes (present tense) out of the great tribulation are those who died for their faith when Revelation was written. But the article describing the multitude in the original Greek text also seems to indicate the great trouble accompanying the end of things. For Du Toit the prostitute in chapter 17 symbolizes a city, namely Babylon. The harlot, however, had slain a great number of saints who believed in Jesus (17:6). Thus the harlot cannot be identified with Babylon. The city must be Rome, the contemporary representative of the cruel empires which, through the ages have enslaved people by brute force. Rome also killed saints who served Christ. Du Toit’s greatest shortcoming in his explanation of the Book of Revelation was that he did not see that the book Revelation is rooted in a given historical situation.

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