Mullin Forum Notes, Greensboro NC
Dr. Brain K. Blount, Union Presbyterian Seminary
One of the biggest themes in the talk was that of making a stand. Dr. Blount takes a non-literal view of Revelation and does a great job in using that message to apply to our struggles today with "dragons."
Part of his point was that John of Patmos wanted the readers to know that accommodating the Dragon, or the evil that was behind the throne of Rome, was to sacrifice everything about their faith and loose it all. That the only choice was to fight the dragon or become like it. That there could be no "blending" in Christian faith.
Another topic he touched on was that in the churches of Revelation there was a blending of Politics and Religion. One could not succeed in either without adhering to the other. Or at least not by Roman standards. In fact the cities that he condemns in the book are the same churches that are flourishing, because to John, to flourish in the world of Rome you must be making compromises in your faith life. John constantly called out to them to decide, Mammon or God? You cannot serve both--to echo previous NT words from Jesus.
Some people have a problem with seeing Revelation as a non-literal book, but to me it follows other apocalyptic literature we have in the Bible in Daniel and Ezekiel and even parts of Isaiah. One thing Dr. Blount said was to remember that the visions are serving the prophecy. Not the other way around. Which I thought was a neat way to look at it. Although, I will say that there is nothing baring it from perhaps being both. It could be a message for the churches of Asia minor, and still be a prophetic piece for our world. Of course like all scripture it is still a living word for us today in each part of our lives.
How many times do we have the opportunity to sacrifice our beliefs and blend in with society for power and privilege and the security of the world. But we are constantly called out not to. To stand firm and face the dragon instead, relying on God's power and salvation and protection and provision.
The discussion of "witness" language was also interesting. Dr. Blount put forward that translators have added the number of witness in Rev. 6:9-11 but have changed then the spirit of the verse. The idea intended is one of a call to active resistance. Not patient endurance through hardship. RESIST! I like it...
In the end of it all you can see why John was exiled in the first place. The guy was not just saying, "Oh doom an woe, here comes the end people!" He was actively preaching a message of resistance and basically telling people to go pick a fight for Jesus. Radical stuff. You can see why the message had to be disguised, and why it is still so powerful and relevant thousands of years later.
Dr. Brain K. Blount, Union Presbyterian Seminary
One of the biggest themes in the talk was that of making a stand. Dr. Blount takes a non-literal view of Revelation and does a great job in using that message to apply to our struggles today with "dragons."
Part of his point was that John of Patmos wanted the readers to know that accommodating the Dragon, or the evil that was behind the throne of Rome, was to sacrifice everything about their faith and loose it all. That the only choice was to fight the dragon or become like it. That there could be no "blending" in Christian faith.
Another topic he touched on was that in the churches of Revelation there was a blending of Politics and Religion. One could not succeed in either without adhering to the other. Or at least not by Roman standards. In fact the cities that he condemns in the book are the same churches that are flourishing, because to John, to flourish in the world of Rome you must be making compromises in your faith life. John constantly called out to them to decide, Mammon or God? You cannot serve both--to echo previous NT words from Jesus.Some people have a problem with seeing Revelation as a non-literal book, but to me it follows other apocalyptic literature we have in the Bible in Daniel and Ezekiel and even parts of Isaiah. One thing Dr. Blount said was to remember that the visions are serving the prophecy. Not the other way around. Which I thought was a neat way to look at it. Although, I will say that there is nothing baring it from perhaps being both. It could be a message for the churches of Asia minor, and still be a prophetic piece for our world. Of course like all scripture it is still a living word for us today in each part of our lives.
How many times do we have the opportunity to sacrifice our beliefs and blend in with society for power and privilege and the security of the world. But we are constantly called out not to. To stand firm and face the dragon instead, relying on God's power and salvation and protection and provision.The discussion of "witness" language was also interesting. Dr. Blount put forward that translators have added the number of witness in Rev. 6:9-11 but have changed then the spirit of the verse. The idea intended is one of a call to active resistance. Not patient endurance through hardship. RESIST! I like it...
In the end of it all you can see why John was exiled in the first place. The guy was not just saying, "Oh doom an woe, here comes the end people!" He was actively preaching a message of resistance and basically telling people to go pick a fight for Jesus. Radical stuff. You can see why the message had to be disguised, and why it is still so powerful and relevant thousands of years later. 
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