One Upon the Throne and the Lamb: A Tradition Historical/Theological Analysis of Revelation 4-5(110 Studies in Biblical Literature)

One upon the Throne and the Lamb: A Tradition Historical/Theological Analysis of Revelation 4-5 is an analysis of the tradition history underlying Revelation 4-5 and the way John employed these traditions. The hypothesis is that John incorporated themes from the Hebrew Bible and Jewish tradition, especially apocalypticism and Greco-Roman themes, to present his vision of God and Christ. In the process, John has transformed the traditions to present a unique and exalted vision of both God and Christ.

About the Author :
The Author: Russell S. Morton received his Th.D. (New Testament) and his Th.M. from Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He holds an M.Div. from Western Evangelical Seminary, Portland, an M.A. in library science from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. in history from Seattle Pacific University. Morton is the author of numerous reviews and articles.

Review :
Russell S. Morton's 'One upon the Throne and the Lamb' not only is a fluent study of one of Scripture's most demanding and important texts, thoroughly conversant with other contemporary interpretations, it also accomplishes what so many others fail to do: Morton aims the historical conclusions of critical exegesis in a theological direction. Therefore, this book nicely illustrates a methodology that places historical interests and theological commitments into constructive conversation. I commend Peter Lang for publishing it. (Robert Walter Wall, The Paul T. Walls Professor of Scripture and Wesleyan Studies, and Chair, Department of Christian Scripture, Seattle Pacific University) Russell S. Morton provides a thorough investigation of the resources that contribute to Revelation 4-5 and of John's authorial aims in crafting these visions. Avoiding the tendencies toward 'either/or' thinking that plague scholarship and limit the usefulness of many such studies, Morton explores all possible, relevant backgrounds - Ancient Near Eastern texts, the Hebrew Scriptures, Second Temple Jewish literature, Babylonian and Greco-Roman astrological speculation, Roman imperial ideology and cult, and the emerging Christian culture - contributing to John's shaping of the vision of the personnel and activity around the celestial throne. What emerges is not a picture of a visionary who stands apart from and against 'culture' but a seer who fully engages the multiple streams of the cultural heritage available to himself and his congregations to proclaim the unique worthiness of the One upon the Throne and of the Lamb to receive their adulation and to direct their lives. (David A. deSilva, Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek, Ashland Theological Seminary)