Overview

"Having immersed himself over many years in reading every commentary he can find on Revelation, and picking up his teenage hobby of painting, Pieter Kwant reverses the process whereby John first ""saw"" Revelation before writing it down, here moving from (biblical) text to image. In this, Pieter takes his stand on the shoulders of both giant biblical commentators and visual artists over the centuries as he engages Revelation in a personal way. His hope, and the challenge he set himself, is that readers may be emboldened not to shrink from looking deeply into this concluding book of the Bible - reading and seeing, hearing (by doing) it."

Full Product Details

9781909281868

Table of Contents

Reviews

"""It was such a joy to witness a man of letters challenge himself to delve into visual language as an extended way of scholarly research and understanding the Scriptures - and to take on the huge task of having a visual conversation with the book of Revelation and the artists over the centuries who have attempted to do likewise ... To re-enter these texts through Pieter's excitement in exploring colour and image is not only to see the text in a new way but also to have a glimpse inside the rainbow of both his heart and the heart of God."" BETTY SPACKMAN, Artist This book carries in word and image the heart of soul of its author. It draws the reader along on a journey of discovery, probing the deep and significant meaning found in the Book of Revelation. The juxtaposing of traditional ancient images side by side with the author's own provocative, colourful images is a pleasure to the eye and an aesthetic feast for soul and mind. ... The historical images from Beatus Manuscripts and Apocalypse 1313 offer a sense that we are in a place well travelled, where we join with those of the past who have engaged the themes and insights of the Book of Revelation. [Inside the Rainbow] provides entry points for understanding the Book of Revelation. The personal quality of the writing offers warmth and welcome to an otherwise intimidating bible book. It provides stepping stones to readers... JOHN FRANKLIN Executive Director Imago Arts, Canada Sadly the vivid imagery of the Book of Revelation has often been reduced to theological speculation about God's engagement with empire and the final future. This creative edition brings vivid imagery center stage and helps us to re-enter with dancing step the grand panorama of the Bible's most imaginative and magisterial book. Let contemporary empire-builders shake in their boots! Charles Ringma, Emeritus Prof. Regent College, Vancouver, Canada Author of many books, including ""Hear the Ancient Wisdom"" Children, we used to be told, should be seen and not heard. The Bible for some people is only heard but never ""seen"". Revelation demands both. John oscillates again and again between what he saw and what he heard, and invites our attentive imagination to grasp, wonder, and respond to both, for our adoration, encouragement and warning. Pieter Kwant's rich artistic engagement, the fruit of many years of saturated study of the book, combines fascinating glimpses of ancient and contemporary renderings of Revelation's vivid imagery alongside his own richly coloured interpretative paintings of what John invites us all to ""see and hear"", as Jesus draws back the curtain and reveals the breadth and depth, challenge and hope of his own Lordship. This is one of those books I enjoyed on first reading, and even more on the second, and doubtless more yet to come. Chris Wright, Global Ambassador and Ministry Director, Langham Partnership Even though I attended a theological seminary, I've never before immersed myself in the Book of Revelation. To be honest, I didn't even like it... Hearing Pieter talking passionately about it, I couldn't wait to read the book. Not only did I learn about Revelation, for the first time, but I also felt like being inside it, taking part in it, just like reading the Gospels: hearing, seeing and feeling Jesus in action. VERA HAHN, Editor"

It was such a joy to witness a man of letters challenge himself to delve into visual language as an extended way of scholarly research and understanding the Scriptures - and to take on the huge task of having a visual conversation with the book of Revelation and the artists over the centuries who have attempted to do likewise ... To re-enter these texts through Pieter's excitement in exploring colour and image is not only to see the text in a new way but also to have a glimpse inside the rainbow of both his heart and the heart of God. BETTY SPACKMAN This book carries in word and image the heart of soul of its author. It draws the reader along on a journey of discovery, probing the deep and significant meaning found in the Book of Revelation. The juxtaposing of traditional ancient images side by side with the author's own provocative, colourful images is a pleasure to the eye and an aesthetic feast for soul and mind. ... The historical images from Beatus Manuscripts and Apocalypse 1313 offer a sense that we are in a place well travelled, where we join with those of the past who have engaged the themes and insights of the Book of Revelation. [Inside the Rainbow] provides entry points for understanding the Book of Revelation. The personal quality of the writing offers warmth and welcome to an otherwise intimidating bible book. It provides stepping stones to readers... JOHN FRANKLIN Sadly the vivid imagery of the Book of Revelation has often been reduced to theological speculation about God's engagement with empire and the final future. This creative edition brings vivid imagery center stage and helps us to re-enter with dancing step the grand panorama of the Bible's most imaginative and magisterial book. Let contemporary empire-builders shake in their boots! Charles Ringma, Emeritus Prof. Regent College, Vancouver, Canada Author of many books, including Hear the Ancient Wisdom Children, we used to be told, should be seen and not heard. The Bible for some people is only heard but never seen . Revelation demands both. John oscillates again and again between what he saw and what he heard, and invites our attentive imagination to grasp, wonder, and respond to both, for our adoration, encouragement and warning. Pieter Kwant's rich artistic engagement, the fruit of many years of saturated study of the book, combines fascinating glimpses of ancient and contemporary renderings of Revelation's vivid imagery alongside his own richly coloured interpretative paintings of what John invites us all to see and hear , as Jesus draws back the curtain and reveals the breadth and depth, challenge and hope of his own Lordship. This is one of those books I enjoyed on first reading, and even more on the second, and doubtless more yet to come. Chris Wright Global Ambassador and Ministry Director Langham Partnership Even though I attended a theological seminary, I've never before immersed myself in the Book of Revelation. To be honest, I didn't even like it... Hearing Pieter talking passionately about it, I couldn't wait to read the book. Not only did I learn about Revelation, for the first time, but I also felt like being inside it, taking part in it, just like reading the Gospels: hearing, seeing and feeling Jesus in action. VERA HAHN

"""It was such a joy to witness a man of letters challenge himself to delve into visual language as an extended way of scholarly research and understanding the Scriptures - and to take on the huge task of having a visual conversation with the book of Revelation and the artists over the centuries who have attempted to do likewise ... To re-enter these texts through Pieter's excitement in exploring colour and image is not only to see the text in a new way but also to have a glimpse inside the rainbow of both his heart and the heart of God."" BETTY SPACKMAN This book carries in word and image the heart of soul of its author. It draws the reader along on a journey of discovery, probing the deep and significant meaning found in the Book of Revelation. The juxtaposing of traditional ancient images side by side with the author's own provocative, colourful images is a pleasure to the eye and an aesthetic feast for soul and mind. ... The historical images from Beatus Manuscripts and Apocalypse 1313 offer a sense that we are in a place well travelled, where we join with those of the past who have engaged the themes and insights of the Book of Revelation. [Inside the Rainbow] provides entry points for understanding the Book of Revelation. The personal quality of the writing offers warmth and welcome to an otherwise intimidating bible book. It provides stepping stones to readers... JOHN FRANKLIN Sadly the vivid imagery of the Book of Revelation has often been reduced to theological speculation about God's engagement with empire and the final future. This creative edition brings vivid imagery center stage and helps us to re-enter with dancing step the grand panorama of the Bible's most imaginative and magisterial book. Let contemporary empire-builders shake in their boots! Charles Ringma, Emeritus Prof. Regent College, Vancouver, Canada Author of many books, including ""Hear the Ancient Wisdom"" Children, we used to be told, should be seen and not heard. The Bible for some people is only heard but never ""seen"". Revelation demands both. John oscillates again and again between what he saw and what he heard, and invites our attentive imagination to grasp, wonder, and respond to both, for our adoration, encouragement and warning. Pieter Kwant's rich artistic engagement, the fruit of many years of saturated study of the book, combines fascinating glimpses of ancient and contemporary renderings of Revelation's vivid imagery alongside his own richly coloured interpretative paintings of what John invites us all to ""see and hear"", as Jesus draws back the curtain and reveals the breadth and depth, challenge and hope of his own Lordship. This is one of those books I enjoyed on first reading, and even more on the second, and doubtless more yet to come. Chris Wright Global Ambassador and Ministry Director Langham Partnership Even though I attended a theological seminary, I've never before immersed myself in the Book of Revelation. To be honest, I didn't even like it... Hearing Pieter talking passionately about it, I couldn't wait to read the book. Not only did I learn about Revelation, for the first time, but I also felt like being inside it, taking part in it, just like reading the Gospels: hearing, seeing and feeling Jesus in action. VERA HAHN"

Author Information

PIETER KWANT was the Director of Literature for Langham Partnership International until 2022. For over fifty years he worked as theological bookseller, publisher and literary agent. He has been a lifelong enthusiast for the arts and has returned to painting since his retirement.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available