Revelation (Sacra Pagina) [Hardcover]

Wilfrid J., Op Harrington (Author), Donald P. Senior (Author), Daniel J., S.J. Harrington (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Sacra Pagina | Publication Date: November 1993

More than any other New Testament writing the Book of Revelation demands commentary. Its often-bewildering text is easily open to less than scholarly interpretation. Father Harrington brings his scholarship to the Book of Revelation and conveys its Christian message. He puts the work in its historical and social setting--a first-century CE province of the Roman Empire--and explores its social and religious background and its literary character. Through Father Harrington we hear clearly the challenge of John, the prophet, to the Churches of his time--and to ours--not to compromise the Gospel message.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"While the struggle between good and evil is a messy affair, Harrington's thesis that Revelation provides a positive perspective for Christians is convincing in detail and substance." -- The Canadian Catholic Review --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Wilfrid J. Harrington, OP, studied theology at the University of St. Thomas in Rome and Scripture at the École Biblique in Jerusalem. He holds the degrees of STM and LSS and has written extensively on both the Old and New Testaments. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 296 pages
• Publisher: Liturgical Press (November 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814658180
• ISBN-13: 978-0814658185
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #825,587 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revelation - A Theology of Hope, October 20, 2000

By 

Pete Gummere (St. Johnsbury, VT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Revelation (Sacra Pagina) (Hardcover)

The distinguished scripture authority, Wilfrid Harrington presents a thorough and detailed commentary on the Book of Revelation. Although some read Revelation and find a glipse of perdition, Harrington reads Revelation and finds hope for all of humanity.

Jesus Christ, the Lamb, slain for our salvation, has come back to rescue, not to condemn. It is God's intention, and the Lamb's, that all will be saved!

Going line by line through the text of Revelation, Harrington explains how his underlying premise is derived. With scholarly attention to the original Greek text, Harrington constructs an understanding of Revelation that is filled with joy and hope for eternal life.

Harrington's work measures up nicely in comparison to the other volumes in the commentary series, Sacra Pagina. This volume is well worth the investment, particularly for the homilist, the teacher, the pastoral counselor or those attempting to help others understand the Book of Revelation.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Study of Revelation, August 8, 2010

By 

Grad Student (Glen Cove, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

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This review is from: Revelation (Sacra Pagina series - paperback) (Paperback)

The Sacra Pagina series on the New Testament is an outstanding reference work for any student of the New Testament. The book on Revelation is by Wilfred Harrington and Daniel Harrington. I was introduced to this series when I took a graduate level course in the New Testament. The professor recommended this series as excellent New Testament reference books. I lead a weekly bible discussion group and I have found this series to be of immense help. I am able to review Revelation line by line and receive the benefit of knowledgeable Catholic bible experts. I may not share the same views as the author on every passage but I can review his analysis and he also points me to other sources. I found Wilfred Harrington's views on universal salvation to be troubling. However, if you needed one book as a guide to Revelation this is it.

27 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Decent scholarship, heretical theology, February 19, 2006

By 

P. Miller - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Revelation (Sacra Pagina) (Hardcover)

Wilfrid Harrington, O.P. has written a scholarly analysis of the Book of Revelation, but his theology is heretical, and decidedly not Catholic.

For instance, Fr. Harrington denies the existence of Satan, stating, "Satan is a powerful symbol, representing the whole gamut of evil and its infectious presence in the human race".

What is more troubling, he seems to glowingly accept the teachings of his fellow Dominican, dissident theologian Edward Schillebeeckx. In an Excursus at the end of this book, Fr. Harrington states there will be Universal Salvation ("Universal salvation means that all human beings will finally be redeemed by God's gracious love"), and "There is no negative eschaton" (meaning there is no eternal hell). He agrees with Schillebeeckx's statement, "But there is no shadow kingdom of hell next to the eternally happy kingdom of God." Were there any confusion about his stance, Fr. Harrington states, "Humans, not God, have invented hell."

What these two theologians are telling us is that there will be no eternal hell, in direct opposition to the Gospels, and in direct opposition to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

While it would be pleasant to think that no matter what we do in this life, there will be no possibility of eternal damnation, this is not what Jesus Christ himself tells us in the Gospels.

I heartily agree that the Book of Revelation is indeed a message of God's love and mercy for us; it is also a Book about God's justice. We mock the Gospels if we deny the existence of Satan, and we deny God's just nature if we deny the existence of an eternal hell.

So, while his scholarship is decent, his dissident theology casts a pall (in the truest sense of the word) over this book.

To any Catholic, I would say "Let the reader beware".