★★★★★ 4
Great insight into each view, but disappointing format
Format: Paperback
The Zondervan Counterpoints series prides itself in giving known advocates of specific views a place to exposit their positions on various theological topics while also giving other positions an equal opportunity. This work continues to shine in that department. Each view was given enough space to give a general outline of the book of Revelation as well as a defense of their specifically preferred view.
Each essay was very well done and gave a fair reading of the views that were included. However, it was very disappointing to see that unlike most other books in the series, this one did not have specific sections for each author to respond to the other views. There was some interaction via footnotes about the other essays, but the book would have been much better if each author had been given an opportunity to interact with the others.
Reading the other reviews, I noticed lots of disappointment with the lack of including the historicist position. I share that disappointment, but would be hesitant to agree with the reviews that insisted there were only three views presented. The two dispensationalists included in the book had radically different approaches to hermeneutics. There were genuinely 4 views presented.
Finally, I have noticed many of the reviews on here tend to give the book fewer stars based on their preferred view either not being there or because other views were perceived as so obviously wrong as to deserve attack. I give the book four stars because I think each presentation was an accurate, thought-provoking look at the view presented. It is disappointing that the historicist view was not included. It was also disappointing that the authors had little interaction other than the footnotes. But overall, if you want a book introducing major views on the book of Revelation, this is a good one to pick up.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2013
