Publisher's Synopsis
As we approach 2000-2001, the year that will mark the beginning of a new millennium, interest in the meaning of historical transitions is already on the rise. Fervent expectations abound, both positive ones that hope for the emergence of a more perfect form of earthly society, and negative ones that fear the end of the world, either the Armageddon depicted in the Bible or more secular versions of final destruction.
Apocalypticism, broadly defined as the belief that God has revealed the imminent end of the ongoing struggle between good and evil throughout history, has been a major element in the three monotheistic Western religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Over the past 30 years, extensive scholarship has been devoted to the study of apocalypticism, not only of its origins in Second Temple Judaism and Early Christianity, but also of the history of Jewish, Christian, and Islamic apocalypticism over the succeeding twenty centuries. The contemporary role of apocalyptic thought, both in America and in the world at large, has also been a subject of intense research. With the contribution of 42 internationally renowned scholars, The Encyclopedia of Apocalypticism provides a state-of-the-art survey of apocalypticism's role in Western history, from its origins down to the eve of the third millennium.
"As the millennium approaches, one can expect a demand for books relating to the apocalypse. This multivolume set, a masterfully conceived work covering the vast historical literature of apocalypticism, will disappoint the casual reader and utterly delight the serious scholar. Though it focuses narrowly on Judaism and Christianity, with a few articles on Islam and scattered mentionings of Persian, Greek, and Roman folk religions, such limiting was necessary to present this topic in an accessible manner. The three volumes comprise articles written by noted scholars of religious studies and literary criticism. Volume 1, edited by Collins (Univ. of Chicago), covers the beginnings of apocalypticism in the ancient Near East, moves through early Judaism, and ends at the Book of Revelation in the New Testament. Volume 2, edited by McGinn (Univ. of Chicago), begins with the apocalypticism in early Christian theology (100 C.E.) and concludes with discussions of apocalyptic influences in medieval and renaissance literature (up to 1800 C.E.). Of special interest are the articles by Roberto Rusconi on the Antichrist and by Robert E. Lerner on millennialism, both works relevant to anyone interested in biblical Armageddon. Volume 3, edited by Stein (Indiana Univ.), brings the discussion into the 20th century and focuses on the influences of apocalypticism on modern popular culture, art, science, politics, and thought."
-Library Journal
"There are some excellent discussions, nowhere better illustrated than in the case of the succinct discussion of Relevation...which is a model of its kind....no one can fail to learn from this vast compendium of apocalyptic related themes."
"Journal of Theological Studies, Oct. 2000
