| This project is part of a larger cluster of research about the Bible in the The Twenty-First Century, which endeavours to problematise the actual authoritative and cultural meanings of 'the bible' by focusing upon the processes of transmission and actualisation of biblical texts up to the present time. The cultural-historical significance of 'the bible' results from the fact that bibles function as canons, i.e. networks of intensely mediated texts that are considered sources for forms, values and norms by people. The canonical status of these texts leads to an ongoing process of re-interpretation and actualisation. Elements that are considered meaningful are being connected with actual views of life. Fragments of biblical texts function as a source of common values and interests. They form a point of attachment for the formulation of common identities and a reservoir of images, archetypes, topoi and model-texts that inspire new texts and other forms of expression. In contemporary culture there are multiple readings of the Apocalypse. The book functions as an important source of inspiration for individual Christians and sects to construct their own scenario of history up to the end of times (e.g. the Branch Davidians), but is sometimes deconstructed as well, because of the enormous gap between its claims and contemporary culture (e.g. Hal Hartley¿s movie The Book of Life). The project aims at presenting a variety of readings of Revlation in various contemporary sources by way of an anthology, as well as a discussion of the socio-cultural contexts of these readings. |
