Expositio super Apocalypsim et opuscula adiacentia

Book Description

This profound theological work presents the most comprehensive biblical commentary by Joachim of Fiore, a twelfth-century Calabrian abbot who developed a revolutionary approach to understanding divine revelation. Recognizing that his interpretive framework would challenge conventional thinking, Joachim carefully prepared his readers through three introductory texts that explore fundamental questions of biblical interpretation and spiritual understanding.

At the heart of this work lies Joachim's verse-by-verse examination of the Book of Revelation, which he presents as God's blueprint for the unfolding of church history within a three-part linear system of world history. This systematic approach offers readers a unique lens through which to view the relationship between divine prophecy and historical events.

The commentary demonstrates Joachim's awareness of the complexity inherent in spiritual interpretation, as he methodically addresses hermeneutical challenges that arise when seeking to understand prophetic texts. His careful preparation of introductory materials reflects a deep commitment to guiding readers through sophisticated theological concepts.

Accompanying the main commentary are two related works that further illuminate Joachim's interpretive method: a focused exposition on a specific passage from Revelation and a schematic outline titled "De septem sigillis" that presents the seven seals as a temporal framework connecting Old and New Testament history.

This scholarly yet accessible work invites contemporary readers to engage with medieval spiritual wisdom while developing their own capacity for theological reflection and biblical understanding.