This essay wants to examine Leland Ryken's work in the context of recent literary approaches to hermeneutics. The author surveys Ryken's methodology together with two other literary critics, Amos Wilder and Northrop Frye. They approach the biblical text with similar assumptions about its literary nature.
This Introduction considers the usual introductory questions and aspects of the Book of Revelation. It considers the date of writing, the purpose, author, genre, the historical interpretation, how readers should interpret the symbolism, the use of the Old Testament, the structure, and an outline of Revelation.
Why does God communicate through symbolism in the book of Revelation? Is Revelation to be understood primarily as literal or symbolic? Beale argues that the popular approach to Revelation—interpret literally unless you are forced to interpret symbolically—should be overturned.
