Cultural pessimism is always fashionable, and, since we are human, there are always grounds for it. It has the negative consequence of depressing the level of aspiration, the sense of the possible. And from time to time it has the extremely negative consequence of encouraging a kind of somber panic, a collective dream-state in which recourse to terrible remedies is inspired by delusions of mortal threat. If there is anything in the life of any culture or period that gives good grounds for alarm, it is the rise of cultural pessimism, whose major passion is bitter hostility toward many or most of the people within the very culture the pessimists always feel they are intent on rescuing. When panic on one side is creating alarm on the other, it is easy to forget that there are always as good grounds for optimism as for pessimism--exactly the same grounds, in fact--that i, because we are human. We still have every potential for good we have ever had, and the same presumptive claim to respe
Another review in print . This is one, also with Review of Biblical Literature , is of Lazslo Gallusz, The Throne Motif in the Book of Revelation . From the review: For such a constricted theme this is a very full study, and most readers are bound to find something useful within its pages. ...Scholars who chiefly view Revelation as a literary composition will want to attend closely to the author’s claims and follow up on the author’s suggestions for further research. The throne motif as a literary structuring device, for instance, may deserve careful consideration. Those who interpret the book as part of a “mystical” religious tradition will likely find some valuable material, as well. Tolle, lege.