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| The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth | 
 enlarge | Author: Scott Hahn
Publisher: Doubleday
Category: Book
List Price: $21.95
Buy New: $7.25
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (145 reviews)
Sales Rank: 6301
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 174
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.8
ISBN: 0385496591
Dewey Decimal Number: 264.02036
EAN: 9780385496599
ASIN: 0385496591
Publication Date: November 9, 1999
Release Date: November 9, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Heaven on Earth October 28, 2006
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
There are numerous "keys" that interpreters of Biblical prophecy have used to "unlock" the mysteries of the Book of Revelation: the rise of the papacy, the return of the Jews to Israel, and the recent troubles in Iraq serve just to name a few. One that hasn't received much notice is the assertion of a link between the Book of Revelation and the liturgy of the Church. Scott Hahn revives this link, asserted in many writings of the Church Fathers, and claims in The Lamb's Supper, it's absolute necessity for understanding the Bible's last book.
Like most of Hahn's popular works, it is written in a folksy, breezy style that is geared for a popular Catholic audience. Hahn is very popular with the EWTN audience and it is easy to see why when one views any of his appearances on the Catholic cable network. However, much of the sincerity and enthusiasm that comes through so clearly on video or tape appearances does not always translate well in written form. This book is quite good, but Hahn's television series based on the book is far more memorable. In general, he is perhaps a better speaker than author for his cause.
The book is divided into three sections. In the first section, Hahn gives an overview of the Catholic Mass and its eschatological connection. This section is more personal than the others as Hahn ties his description into his own early experiences with liturgy. Hahn does a good job of explaining the eschatological vision presented in the Mass and the connection with Scripture and the doctrine of the Real Presence.
In the second section, Hahn covers the basics of the Book of Revelation. He covers many of the popular views and rightly criticizes them for their sensationalism and history of embarassing predictions. In its place, he offers more plausable explanations for the symbolism in the book and its cast of characters and locales. Basing his theory on the writings of early Christians and on historical research, much of the nonsense published in "interpreting" the Book of Revelation is exposed as without any Scriptural or historical basis.
After describing the two elements of his thesis in the first two sections, Hahn uses the third to tie them together. Hahn leaves no liturgical citation unturned in weaving together the elements of the Mass and the Apocalypse. Oddly enough, this is where Hahn perhaps is weakest. In a sincere attempt to marry together the Book of Revelation and the Mass, Hahn overstates his case and falls into a sort of panliturgicalism where every correspondence in text is automatically considered one in fact. Hahn consideres almost exclusively the text of the Roman liturgy which (like other liturgies) evolved over centuries. It seems far more likely the liturgy conformed itself to the Book of Revelation than the other way around. There is undoubtedly a connection between the two but the connection is found in similarities between the patterns of early Christian worship and the description of heavenly worship in the Book of Revelation. The later conformity of the Biblical and liturgical texts convey the fact of a later acknowledgment of said connection.
Despite such overstepping of boundaries, The Lamb's Supper is still a worthwhile read that brings attention to an oft ignored correspondence between the eschaton and its precursor in the worship of the Church. For reviving interest in this connection, Hahn deserves much credit and overall the book is still highly recommended.
Revelation Unveiled September 17, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
This excellent book gives us an orthodox Catholic insight into both the nature of the Mass and into the book of Revelation, or the Apocalypse. Using the Hebrew apocalyptic literary style that figures greatly into the Old Testament books of Daniel and Ezekiel, St John gives us an apocalyptic view of the end of an age, that of the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem and of the animal sacrifices of the ancient Hebrews. He does this by painting a panoramic picture of the demise of ancient Judaism and its successor, the early Christian Church.
Dr Hahn explores this in some depth that is quite revealing. However, for an in-depth understanding, it really must be read in conjunction with some of Dr Hahn's other books, especially Swear to God or Understanding the Scriptures. The Lamb's Supper must be seen in light of Dr Hahn's work on the Covenant structure of Scripture in order to realize what we are doing each and every time we attend the Holy Mass.
Excellent explanation August 6, 2006
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This book offer a very nice and logical and easy to understand on the book of Revelation. This book should be subtitled : the Revelation for Dummies. Very entertaining and easy to read.
Buy this book July 25, 2006
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
Ok I pray the everyone who takes the time to attend Mass on Sunday would read this. I pray that those who don't attend Mass would read this. I wish that anyone that felt the were attending Mass just because it was an obligation, have a ho-hum attitude or felt bored at Mass would READ THIS BOOK! If you thought that the Book of Revelations was put there to scare you this book will change you life. Dr. Hahn has done it again he has really made the Bible and the Mass come to life. I no longer go to Mass just going through the punches. You know, walk in five minutes before Mass, holy water, a quick lowering of the knee, songs, readings,... and off to breakfast. Ok I really tried to get my head into Sunday worship but I just did not get it. Now I can't get enough. You can even see me at daily Mass I love it so much. I didn't get the why from my parents, I didn't get the why from society, and sadly I didn't get the why from the church. Dr. Hahn has helped me to understand why we should all love going to Mass. Buy this book or even better get the DVD.
Transformation April 28, 2006
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
Definitely on my list of life transforming books. I could not put it down. By transforming, I mean that after reading this book I have a greater appreciation of the Mass and this book has renewed my fervor for the Mass. The only thing that I wish is that he had touched more on is our personal transformation in Christ at reception of the Eucharist-- what I mean is the Living Tabernacles that we ourselves become by receiving Jesus in the Eucharist and how this transformation in Christ also relates to eschatology. Maybe another topic for another book. This book is clear concise and jam packed with information. Highly recommended for Protestants or converts or lapsed Catholics, or Catholics going through a "dark night of the soul".
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