Synopsis
Elusive Apocalypse examines how the Book of Revelation constructs narrative and religious authority through John, its ever-present narrative voice. Tensions within Revelation's construction of narrative and religious authority fuel conflicts over its interpretation. Analysis of popular and scholarly readings of the Apocalypse, complemented by autobiographical reflection, reveals that authority is a critical issue for contemporary interpreters. As John articulates his own authority, he must also silence competing voices from the empire, the larger society, local Jewish communities, and even some members of his audience.Elusive Apocalypse proposes narrative ethos as a model for evaluating John's rhetoric. Taken together, the resources of classical rhetoric, modern literary analysis, and postcolonial criticisms elucidate how ancient apocalyptic visionaries like John legitimated their radical claims.
