Revelation by Sigve K. Tonstad

Abstract

Reviewed by: Revelation by Sigve K. Tonstad Thomas B. Slater sigve k. tonstad, Revelation (Paideia; Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2019). Pp. xvii + 415. Paper $35. Tonstad has written an apologetic, historical, and traditional interpretation of the Book of Revelation. Three issues drive this commentary: (1) ascertaining the nature of violence; (2) understanding the role of imperial Rome; and (3) discerning the nature of John’s Apocalypse as a revelation. He argues that John wrote from a cosmic perspective. Having a cosmic perspective, Revelation focuses on Jesus as a victim of violence (Rev 5:6). “This feature ensures that Jesus is represented just as he is in the other books in the NT” (p. 5). Violence reflects the cosmic battle between God and Satan, not one between Christians and Rome. Reading the book aloud “might put an end to the idea that the God of Revelation has retribution on his mind” (pp. 7–8; quotation from p. 8). Tonstad warns against those who “uncritically assign the calamities . . . to divine agency” (p. 39) as well as “the Left Behind stampede” (p. 7) which embraces violence. This is a sound critique. From a cosmic perspective, the Roman Empire is not the problem. Rather, the book reflects God’s plans for the future of humanity. Focusing on the Roman context risks not perceiving “the theological aspirations of the book” (p. xii). This also means that the OT informs the book more than Rome (see Rev 12:9; 20:2). Readers must possess an outstanding knowledge of the OT background in order to interpret the book correctly. Only a “re-reader” (which T. does not define) can correctly interpret the book (pp. 35–39). With regard to John’s Apocalypse as a revelation, the book comes from God and is not a historical document, again reflecting its cosmic perspective (pp. xii–xiii). It is [End Page 349] apocalyptic with epistolary and prophetic features, but it is not an apocalypse. It defies generic classification. A revelation is “the notion of revealing what another party might wish to hide” (p. 20). Additionally, an apokalypsis is “a disclosure policy to which God is deeply committed” (p. 26). Echoing Richard Bauckham, T. writes that Revelation is the culmination of OT prophecy (pp. 20, 35). Revelation is not crisis literature but reflects a cosmic battle between God and Satan. Unsurprisingly, T. affirms traditional positions with regard to author, date, and language. The apostle John is the author of both the Gospel and the Apocalypse. Both works see Jesus as a revealer and emphasize the need for a faithful witness. Further, T. argues that the Domitianic date is correct: “Nero’s influence was imprinted upon Domitian” (p. 35). The dating also coheres with a “theological priority” and is consistent with Irenaeus’s testimony (p. 35). Furthermore, John knew the rules of Greek grammar but intentionally used classical Hebrew as a model for writing (p. 35). The commentary has an extensive bibliography, makes astute use of photographs in order to make Revelation more relevant, and has many insightful reader-friendly sidebars. Tonstad correctly recognizes that Jesus was a victim of violence, making the book less violent than many perceive. T. also provides insightful comments on the connections between the canonical Protestant OT and Revelation (e.g., the garments made white through the blood of the Lamb [pp. 135–36]; the woman, the baby, and the dragon [pp. 176–79]; the Great Supper [pp. 279–80]; the New Earth [pp. 303–10]). There are, however, some concerns. First, to say that commentators have “uncritically” assigned calamities to God ignores the contributions of G. K. Beale, Brian K. Blount, Steven J. Friesen, Adela Yarbro Collins, Stephen Pattemore, David A. deSilva, Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, J. C. Thomas, and Frank D. Macchia, to name a few. In addition, reading the book aloud probably will not change how most people understand it. Social location has much more influence on readers and “re-readers.” Second, the emphasis on the OT almost to the exclusion of Rome is unfortunate, given that one of the goals of the series is to elucidate the cultural context (pp. ix–x). Price, Friesen and many others have shown that Rome cannot be...