Gorman’s Reading Revelation Responsibly is clear, pastoral, and focused on worship that resists idolatry. I appreciated his framing of “Babylon” as the merger of religious and secular power, and his critique of American civil religion. As someone raised Anabaptist, his emphasis on the church’s nonviolent witness rang true. The audiobook performance is excellent: steady pace, clean diction, and a tone that fits the material.
Where I diverge: the violent judgment scenes often feel softened. Symbolic does not mean unreal. Revelation still points to a concrete and consequential reckoning that includes repentance and final separation. I also wanted stronger integration with the wider apocalyptic thread of Scripture. The links to Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24 are noted but not fully developed. The focus on the United States is helpful pastorally, yet it can overshadow the longer history of Christian imperialisms since Constantine. Finally, on Israel and the nations, Romans 11 leaves room for a future gracious turning of many ethnic Jews to Jesus within the unified people of God.
Helpful, thought-provoking, and well narrated. I just wanted more apocalyptic weight and tighter biblical stitching.