Revelation for Progressive Christians

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A Seven Session Study Guide

Donald Schmidt

128 PP | 5.5" x 8.5"
Soft
ISBN: 978-1-77343-150-5

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More material has probably been written about the biblical book of Revelation than the rest of the Bible combined – or at least it can seem that way. What’s more, people who write or talk about Revelation often have a passion that defies all logic. They speak vividly and forcefully about plagues, and judgements, and the end of the world. All interesting themes – but are they the real concern or message of Revelation?

Revelation is a powerful book that was written a long time ago to express a powerful message. Unfortunately, so many people have played with it and interpreted it and have found in it only the things they wanted to find, it’s difficult to “hear” the original intent through all the interpretation.

Yet, when we set aside the nonsense and speculation, we find a story of God’s presence with a fractured and frightened community, with a church that had no idea what the future might hold, and with a people who wondered if it was time to give up and abandon what they believed – all of which makes Revelation a perfect book to study in our own time and place, because so many church communities today and so many of the people who inhabit them are all of those things: fractured and frightend, uncertain of what the future might hold, wondering if we should just give up. 

Revelation… for Progressive Christians is a seven-session study guide that invites readers to explore Revelation as a fun, hope-filled book that contains a lot of fanciful imagery and symbolic references, to be sure, but that, at its core, offers words of assurance and hope to the church and its people today.

Donald Schmidt, Author

Whenever he can choose what to do, Donald Schmidt likes to spin wool, knit, and weave. In his spare time, he also works in ministry in a variety of settings. He has served parishes in Quebec, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Hawai‘i. He has also worked as an Associate Conference Minister with the United Church of Christ, and is a retired United Methodist minister. Perhaps his favorite ministry has been as an editor and writer of church resources, for worship, education, and church revitalization. He has published 3 books, and has had a few pieces of music appear in various collections around the world. He also loves to travel, finding that visiting anywhere new and different can open us up to learn new things about others and, in the process, ourselves. He is a grandfather of 8, and father of 3.

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Media Reviews

Cheryl Perry, Minister for Families and Social Justice, First United Church, Kelowna, BC

Beyond a few well-loved and familiar passages read at funerals, the Book of Revelation is largely ignored by progressive Christians because of its sometimes troubling imagery. In his study guide, Revelation for Progressive Christians, Donald Schmidt makes the argument that it shouldn’t be! He makes a case for the book’s relevance for the church today as it struggles with issues of membership, leadership, vision, and purpose. Through this 7-week study guide, he offers insightful questions for reflection that will help readers explore Revelation and its powerful and hopeful message for 21st century Christians. 

Judy Steele, Lay Worship Leader

I recently used this study with a group of ten United Methodists. They all enjoyed the study. I found it easy to use and very informative. You have to move along to get each lesson finished in the hour, but there is time for discussion. Very insightful. Prior to this study I avoided the book of Revelation. I am no longer afraid to read it and use it.