Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman Why is the Book of Revelation in the Bible?
Mar 7, 2023
Debates about Revelation in the early Church and why it was included in the canon despite being offensive to church leaders. examining the initial reception and interpretation of the Book of Revelation by early Christians. Bart's upcoming book on the impact of Jesus' ethics on the world. Selective evidence and the authorship of the Gospel of Mark. Difficulties faced by the early church in accepting the Book of Revelation into the New Testament.
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Revelation's Controversial Nature
- The Book of Revelation is widely misunderstood and least read in the New Testament due to its bizarre and violent imagery.
- Early Christians grappled with its strange style and content, leading many to question its place in Scripture.
Authorship Debates in Early Church
- Early Christian leaders debated if Revelation was apostolic, a key criterion for canonization.
- The identity of 'John of Patmos' was unclear, causing suspicion about authorship and legitimacy.
Millennial Kingdom Controversy
- The early church struggled with Revelation's millennial kingdom, which promised a literal 1000-year earthly reign.
- Ascetic leaders rejected its materialistic portrayal of paradise as incompatible with Christian teaching.