Biblia Americana: America's First Bible Commentary. A Synoptic Commentary on the Old and New Testaments. Volume 10: Hebrews - Revelation

This volume of the Biblia Americana (1693-1728) contains Cotton Mather's annotations on Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude, and Revelation, as well as two series of essays on various matters of biblical interpretation. Mather, an apologetically oriented but deeply learned scholar, confronts the early Enlightenment challenges to the authority of the Bible and core doctrines like the Trinity. The extensive annotations on Revelation offer a window into the development of Mather's millennialism and his changing interpretations of hotly-debated issues such as the eschatological conversion of the Jews, the expected date for the return of Christ, and the nature of His kingdom. In the appended essays, Mather develops a biblical hermeneutic that emphasizes an experiential approach and the need for spiritual illumination and engages with antiquarian scholarship on the Scriptures, their original contexts, provenance, and transmission, as well as with literature that situates Judaism and Christianity in a larger history of ancient religions and cultures.

Format: Hardback
Length: 1117 pages
Publication date: 18 January 2023
Publisher: JCB Mohr (Paul Siebeck)

This extensive volume of the Biblia Americana (1693-1728) presents a rich tapestry of annotations by Cotton Mather, encompassing his insightful interpretations of Hebrews, James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, Jude, and Revelation. These annotations, a blend of pious explications and historical-textual criticism, offer a treasure trove for scholars eager to delve into the development of Reformed theology and biblical exegesis during a pivotal period of intellectual transformation in the early modern Atlantic world. Mather, a scholar with a strong apologetic orientation yet profound knowledge, confronts the challenges posed by the early Enlightenment to the authority of the Bible and fundamental doctrines such as the Trinity. His discussions span various aspects, including translation issues, textual variants (such as the Johannine comma), authorship questions, and the canonicity of certain texts, particularly in relation to the Catholic Letters and James. The extensive annotations on Revelation provide a captivating window into Mather's millennialism and his evolving interpretations of contentious topics such as the eschatological conversion of Jews, the anticipated date of Christ's return, and the nature of His kingdom.

In the appended essays, Mather engages in a lively dialogue with German Pietism, exploring a biblical hermeneutic that emphasizes an experiential approach and the quest for spiritual illumination. He also delves into antiquarian scholarship on the Scriptures, their historical contexts, provenance, and transmission, as well as into literature that situates Judaism and Christianity within a broader tapestry of ancient religions and cultures.

Through his meticulous annotations and thought-provoking essays, Mather contributes significantly to our understanding of the Bible and its significance in shaping religious and intellectual discourse during the early modern era. This volume serves as a valuable resource for scholars, theologians, and anyone interested in exploring the complexities of biblical interpretation and the historical context in which it unfolded.

Weight: 1548g
Dimension: 167 x 238 x 59 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783161616860