by Catherine Keller. Published by Orbis Books, 2021. Reviewed by John Thornley

Facing Apocalypse is a study of the Book of Revelation in seven chapters and 200 pages. As with all biblical prophecy, the message is not for the future. This book addresses the crises of our contemporary times which are endangering life in Earth. The last words in the book ask: “The End?”

My interest is as a lay preacher and I focused on the final, hopeful chapters of Revelation 20-22, passing over the complexities of the letters to seven churches (Rev 1-19) that precede the new Kingdom of God on Earth. I have no excuse for such a skim read. Keller introduces the key imagery of the letters in the preface titled “Recapocalypse”. And the ending “Postscroll” sums it all up. So if you don’t get her meaning the first time round — and there were times when I lost the plot — it is clearer, but no more comforting, by the end!

Keller writes about climate change, ecogrief, reforestation, wildfires, white supremacy, mindfulness, New Age, slavery, process theology and a lot more.

I found the poetry and musicality of Keller’s language carried me through her theological excavations — her digging up the “signs of the times”.

I recommend this book to all preachers and those who enjoy theopoetics. 

Tui Motu Magazine. Issue 264 October 2021: 31