Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Review of Scott Hahn's The Lamb's Supper.As one who began his journey across the Tiber river by first reading the Book of Revelation, I read with interest Scott Hahn's book on the Mass and the book of Revelation. I have also been asked by several people my opinion of this work and so I present my critique. I need to say up front that I was crossing the Tiber in the opposite direction of Dr. Hahn-he towards Rome, I away from it. From the first it is obvious that Dr. Hahn is writing a popular book and not a scholastic or academic work. The tone of his writing shows this. Unfortunately so does his use of sources and his exegetical efforts. This book was not meant to bear close scrutiny, more in the order of a devotional with little regard for accuracy in history or exegesis. This is surprising though. Dr. Carroll, the founder and past president of Christendom College in Virginia has called Dr. Hahn the premier Catholic biblical scholar in the world, and, reading others who have written about Dr. Hahn, this seems to be a universal acclaim. So the number and scope of his errors seem out of place in light of the praise he has garnered. And they seem very troubling in light of the praise this book itself has won. A quick note on something that pervaded much of his work, though not related to his main subject, bears a comment. He early on mentions his coming to Catholicism from an "anti-Catholic" background. We have to take him at his word on this for, as far as I know, there is no extant writings of his that are "anti-Catholic." Yet, in this work, he takes a couple of swipes that I find rather "anti-Evangelical." I say that for if the same arguments were made against Catholic doctrine they would quickly be labeled "anti-Catholic." He particularly jabs at sola scriptura (47-48, 54). As to his accuracy, a couple of examples ought to suffice. What has to asked in his making of these errors are two questions: "are they out of ignorance" or "were they purposeful?" Either option bodes ill for the whole work. On page 89, he describes the woman of Revelation 12. The Bible (New Jerusalem) describes her as being "robed with the sun, standing on the moon, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." Dr. Hahn adds, following Catholic artistic depictions, that she "crushes the head of the serpent." This last part is not in Revelation, though he seems to be implying that. In fact, the only place you find it in Scripture is the early Vulgate of Genesis 3.15 where the Latin feminine pronoun was substituted for the Hebrew (and Greek-LXX) masculine pronoun giving "she shall crush your (Serpant's) head." This was carried over in the earlier editions of the Douay-Rheims English translation of the Vulgate. Modern editions of both now follow the Hebrew and Greek and have "he shall crush your head." His reversion to the Latin that has been rejected by even the Catholic church is troubling. In the guise of giving an accurate portrayal of Revelation (on the previous page he berated his evangelical brethern for their portrayal) he violates the text of both Revelation and Genesis. On page 96 while writing about the battle of Armageddon he rightly points out that Megiddo is where Judah's King Josiah was shot. However, he says that he was "cut down in his prime for disobeying the instruction of God's prophet (see 2 Kgs 23.28-30)." First, that is not what the text says. It is odd that he would say a passage says something that it does not and then cite the reference. Did he not expect anyone to check it? The one who told Josiah to turn back was the Pharaoh of Egypt, Neco, not a prophet. And Neco is not called a prophet in either Kings or Chronicles. Perhaps Dr. Hahn sees him as a prophet because the Chronicles says that the words of Neco came to Josiah from the mouth of God. If that is the case then it is a seriously strained exegetical effort. Additionally, no reason is given for Josiah's death as Dr. Hahn says. On page 97, in his section on describing and identifying the 144,000 witnesses he writes that during the final destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. at the hands of Titus, "not a single Christian perished." This is an astonishing statement to say the least! Where did he find such information?! He has been making a point of using the writings of the ancient church fathers but he misses completely Eusebius' Ecclesiastical History. In that work, Eusebius, the ancient church historian, following Josephus (whom Hahn cites), notes in his Book 2, chapter 23 that "James, the brother of the Lord" was cast down from a wing of the temple and stoned. As he was not dead he was beaten to death with a fuller's club (cf. Also Josephus, Antiquities 20.9.1). Eusebius goes on to say that "the wiser part of the Jews were of the opinion that [James' death] was the cause of the immediate siege of Jerusalem." So, contrary to what Dr. Hahn writes, Eusebius says that not only did at least one Christian die in the final war of the Jews but that his death was the cause of it. How did Dr. Hahn miss this bit of information and come up with a completely opposite "fact"? One last point. In the Greek New Testament there is a word that is used frequently and that Dr. Hahn points out frequently. That word is prebuteros. It translates to "elder." It transliterates to "prebyter." The English word "priest" originates from the Old English and Late Latin "preost", presbyter, elder. Because of this there persists much confusion. However, it should not be confusing to Dr. Hahn and he should not have made the mistakes that he did in regards to this word. It seems obvious that he is making a case for Catholic Priesthood despite NT evidence to the contrary. The Greek word for priest in the OT sense is "iereus" and it is never used of a NT office. It is different and distinct from "presbyter" but Dr. Hahn frequently mixes and confuses these words, implying that they mean the same thing. On page 68 he talks about the 24 "elders" which he correctly notes comes from presbyter but then sets them in context of the twenty-four priestly divisions who served the Temple. He is mixing words. The "presbyters" are not "iereuss" and it should not be implied that they are, especially by a scholar of Dr. Hahn's reputation. The point is most obviously seen on page 76. There he talks about the "elders (presbyteroi, priests)" and then in the next paragraph talks of the Lamb who is "robed as a high priest ([Rev] 1:13)." Dr. Hahn must know that Rev 1.13 is not talking about a "high-presbyteros" but a "high-iereus." He is mixing words and he is doing so illegitimately. Presbyteros does not mean priest in the sense that iereus does and he should know this. The distinction is upheld in both the Old and New Testaments. He is either ignorant of the distinction or so intent on presenting the Catholic idea of a "priest" against his former Presbyterian idea of "elders" that he intentionally violates semantics in that quest. Though this work has been widely received, embraced, and praised by the Catholic community, its whole presentation is full of such errors and misdirections. As I said earlier, he apparently intended it to be a devotional work and did not intend it to stand close scrutiny. I would be very disappointed if these errors of his have not been pointed out to him by his fellow professors at Stubenville or at least by Mitch Pacwa, who, if he has read this work, should have recognized these errors. This was a very disapointing work. It turns out to be more of a Catholic apologetic and anti-Evangelical polemic than a serious and accurate treatment of both the Mass and the book of Revelation.
Rating: 
Summary: Key to Revelation; key to the Mass
Review: Scott Hahn, a former Presbyterian minister, has taken a scholarly topic which has been part of the official teaching of the Catholic Church since the time of the early Church Fathers, but which in recent years has not been part of the common teaching for the faithful, and explained this teaching to the faithful in a profoundly lucid way. No one who understands what Scott is saying could ever again attend Mass or read Revelation without being profoundly affected. It is a masterful treatment of a complex subject that will cause anyone who who reads it, Catholic or otherwise, to seriously question why they are not present at Mass every day of the year. I used this book as the base for an adult education class at our parish with great success. It was a true eyeopener for every participant. James H. Dobbins, Ph.D.
Rating:
Summary: More Scholarly Brilliance from Dr. Hahn
Review: Truly a gift to the modern Church, this book is a breath of fresh air for those who are put off by the all too common wild interpretations of Revelations being put forth today by men such as LaHaye and Hunt, and for those who thought they could never hope to understand its language. Though certainly not a new interpretation - in fact, Dr. Hahn shows how ancient this interpretation is - it is probably new to many Catholics, both in the laity and the clergy. It may also serve to shed new light on the Liturgy for non Catholic Christians. For all Catholics who read this, you will never go to Mass with the same attitude again. You will see it in a whole new, beautifully new light. This much is guaranteed. Readers familiar with Rome Sweet Home may be overwhelmed by the "weight" of this book. While not extremely difficult reading, the book's length is misleading. The book does go into great detail, and the reader would do well to pause every now and again to read the relevant passages that Dr. Hahn cites (and there are MANY of them). Rome Sweet Home, while a heartening conversion story, is only that; a conversion story. As such, it was not meant as a theological opus or even a complete explanation of the issues which caused him to convert. For readers wanting to know about the "exciting, innovate discoveries" Dr. Hahn only talks about in passing in his conversion story, here is your granted wish.
Rating:
Summary: No superlatives are too superlative for this masterpiece
Review: This book, "Lamb's Supper", is without any doubt on my part the absolutely best and most beautifully descriptive book on my favorite subject, namely the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Dr. Scott Hahn is an 'intellectual brain', but he has a true gift to write simply and beautifully. No amount of 'atta-boys' fully describes my enthusiasm for this masterpiece
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful work by this professor
Review: Dr. Scott Hahn discovers, or shall I say, RE-discovers a thesis that the Mass is in fact what is spoken of in the Book of Revelations. He shows that all of the things John sees in his famous vision take place during the Mass. A great book to show non-Catholics the fulfillment of the prophecy in the last book.
Rating:
Summary: Why We Attend Mass
Review: Every Catholic......and everyone even considering becoming Catholic....should read this book. It is the most spiritually uplifting, intensely explanatory book on the celebration of the Mass that I have ever read. As Hahn tells us, through the Book of Revelations, we can come to know why we "go to Mass," why it is so essential to our lives, and why it is, indeed, "Heaven on earth." In our constant search for truth, we need look no further as our faith is played out daily on the altar. READ this and believe!
Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful digression
Review: This is a wonderfully written book on the writer's discovery of the sacramental importance of the Book of Revelation. It is a beautiful and passionate digression that has little to do with the Book of Revelation itself, the eucharistic overtones of which are incredibly sparse. If you want to know something about Rdevelation, purchase a commentary. If you want to know something about Catholic piety, spirituality and creativity, buy Hahn's book.
Rating:
Summary: A co-reading of Mass and the Revelation of St. John
Review: The focus of this book is reflecting on the Mass in light of the Revelation of John, or, if you prefer, interpreting the book of Revelation in light of the Mass. He brings together teachings of the early church fathers, Vatican II council, and the most recent Cathechism to show how Mass on earth is one with the heavenly Mass. He does so in non-technical language and persuasive language. Occasionally, as in his discussion on evil in the world, I would disagree with his theology but his theology represents one thread of Catholic theology. Therefore, I suggest that this book be read critically, expecting that you may not agree with him entirely. But even where there is disagreement his arguments are well worth hearing. An example of his thought. Rather than seeing the second coming, the Parousia, as a coming event, he sees Revelation (also translatable as "unveiling") as pointing to parousia perpetually occurring in the Mass. He martials both Scripture and tradition to confirm this point. All in all this book is a very accessible study of Revelation and The Liturgy, that I recommend.
Rating:
Summary: EXPERIENCE HEAVEN WITHOUT DYING
Review: Dr. Hahn's best yet. If you are not Catholic, you'll gain insight and a appreciation of what the mass is really about and why it always was a sacrifice. If you are a Catholic, there is no way mass will be the same for you. Truly, a must read. Hahn has a gift of making profound truths easy to understand. An ideal gift for someone, especially your parish priest.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and convincing
Review: As is so often the case, the converts have much to teach the cradle Catholics. Hahn's latest book is an outstanding and intriguing study of the Mass, particularly its relationship to the Book of Revelation. Well-reasoned and demonstrating a solid grasp of Scripture, the Church Fathers, and the varieties of liturgical worship, this book will give you a new view of the Mass and of the often puzzling last book of the Bible. Read this easily-digestible book, and the next time you go to Mass you'll participate in ways you never imagined -- you'll never see the Mass the same way again. Highly recommended for Catholics and non-Catholics!
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