This is the first complete translation in English of Oecumenius's commentary, which is the first known Greek commentary on the book of Revelation. Written in the sixth century but discovered only at the beginning of the twentieth, it presents a fascinating view of a writer who strove to be faithful to the teaching of the church while at the same time allowing his imagination to make sense of the stories and visions of Revelation. In interpreting the events surrounding the destruction of the wicked he shows sensible pastoral restraint and refuses to be swayed by the dogmatic certainty shown even by some modern interpreters. The introduction to the translation by John N. Suggit provides a brief account of the identity of the author and the theological issues with which he was involved, especially the controversy over the beliefs of Origen and his followers. The book should be of interest not only to serious scholars, but also to those who are ready to listen to this New Testament book not as a record of past history but as the description of the drama of life today.

Commentary on the Apocalypse (THE FATHERS OF THE CHURCH: A New Translation)

Religion & Spirituality

Oecumenius

Christian Books & Bibles

Catholic Univ of Amer Pr

This is the first complete translation in English of Oecumenius's commentary, which is the first known Greek commentary on the book of Revelation. Written in the sixth century but discovered only at the beginning of the twentieth, it presents a fascinating view of a writer who strove to be faithful to the teaching of the church while at the same time allowing his imagination to make sense of the stories and visions of Revelation. In interpreting the events surrounding the destruction of the wicked he shows sensible pastoral restraint and refuses to be swayed by the dogmatic certainty shown even by some modern interpreters.The short introduction to the translation by John N. Suggit provides a brief account of the identity of the author and the theological issues with which he was involved, especially the controversy over the beliefs of Origen and his followers.The study is particularly interesting today when the words of Scripture are often interpreted literally without the poetic and dramatic quality which alone gives them true life. The book therefore should be of interest not only to serious scholars, but also to those who are ready to listen to this New Testament book not as a record of past history but as the description of the drama of life today.ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR:John N. Suggit is professor emeritus of New Testament Studies at Rhodes University in South Africa. His work has been widely published in journals and was honored in a recent Festschrift titled Word, Sacrament, and Community.PRAISE FOR THE BOOK: "The translation is literal yet quite readable, and the sixteen-page introduction is informative. The volume is a valuable resource to anyone investigating the history of Apocalypse exegesis in the early church." ― Kenneth B. Steinhauser, Religious Studies Review

Commentary on the Apocalypse (Fathers of the Church Patristic Series)

The Catholic University of America Press

The Eastern church gives little evidence of particular interest in the book of Revelation. Oecumenius of Isauria's commentary on the book is the earliest full treatment in Greek and dates only from the early sixth century. Along with Oecumenius's commentary, only that of Andrew of Caesarea (dating from the same era and often summarizing Oecumenius before offering a contrary opinion) and that of Arethas of Caesarea four centuries later provide any significant commentary from within the Greek tradition. William Weinrich renders a particular service to readers interested in ancient commentary on the Apocalypse by translating in one volume the two early sixth-century commentaries. Because of the two interpreters' often differing understandings, readers are exposed not only to early dialogue on the meaning and significance of the book for the faith and life of the church, but also to breadth of interpretation within the unity of the faith the two shared.

Greek Commentaries on Revelation (Ancient Christian Texts)

Oden, Thomas C.

Andrew of Caesarea

Andrew of Caesarea, Andrew of

Weinrich, William C.

IVP Academic

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