How to study the books of James, 1 & 2 Peter, and Jude
You probably already know that the books of James, 1 & 2 Peter, and Jude are some of the most read—and mis-read—books of the New Testament. They include passages on dealing with temptation, the holiness of God, and the famous doxology at the end of Jude.
But they also include passages on slaves and masters, wives and husbands, and faith and works—passages that don’t line up with many modern norms, or even other parts of the canon.
What can we learn from these books?
A great deal, it turns out.
The challenge, however, is knowing where to start—or even…
Who wrote Jude?
The book of Jude itself tells us that it was written by “Jude, slave of Jesus the Anointed One, and brother of James.”
There is a consensus that the “brother of James” identifies the author as the brother of that James who led the community of Jesus-followers in Jerusalem from at least 40 CE until his execution in 62 CE—in other words the same person who wrote the book of James.
That would make Jude the younger brother of Jesus. In lists of Jesus’ brothers James is always listed first and Jude is listed last (Matthew 13:55) or next to last (Mark 6:3).
But note that neither Jude nor James mentions a family relationship…
What it means to read the General Epistles theologically
We recently sat down with Peter H. Davids to discuss what it a biblical theology of the General Epistles looks like. See his answer below.
His online course on the theology of James, Peter, and Jude is now open. Sign up today.
In James, 1 & 2 Peter, and Jude, we have a group of letters very heavily dependent on Jesus—especially First Peter and James. And they are showing how the teaching of Jesus was used by the first century church.
A theological study tends to draw the ideas together—what are the implications of this for the building of the whole of Christian theology?
I think a major issue in these works is that they’ve been so neglected. How does this Sermon on the Mount work in everyday life? How does the God that Jesus talked about function…
What Are the Common Themes and Issues in the Catholic Epistles? — An Excerpt from “A Theology of James, Peter, and Jude”
In his new book A Theology of James, Peter, and Jude (Biblical Theology of the New Testament), Peter H. Davids says “While at first blush it looks as if there are few common themes and issues in these works, a closer look identifies a number of them.” (23)
In the introduction to his volume Davids identifies eight specific themes and issues common to James, Peter, and Jude:
Shared Greco-Roman background; Common theology; Christology; View of the source of sin; Eschatology; Carry an implied authorship; Pseudonymous works; Similar ecclesiological stances;
In the excerpt below we’ve highlighted three of these shared themes to give you a taste of the scope of Davids’s work. Be sure to add his incisive resource to your collection today to enhance your teaching and preaching ministry.
While at first blush it…
How Have James, Peter, and Jude Contributed to the Canon?
Peter H. Davids believes the so-called “Catholic Epistles” deserve “a good hearing,” because their theological voices have often been neglected at the expense of Paul or John.
That’s what he aims for in his new book A Theology of James, Peter, and Jude (Biblical Theology of the New Testament).
Davids emphasizes that though these four voices are minor in size, “[they] were of great importance during the first century…and they must be allowed to balance and nuance the louder voices found in the present configuration.” (21)
To give you a small taste of this excellent resource, I want to highlight and engage the common section found in each of the books called “Canonical Contribution.” Doing so will not only provide you a goodly glimpse into how Davids engages his subject, it’s also informing and insightful!
…
New Releases Today — 2 Corinthians; Theology of James, Peter, & Jude; and Gospel-Centered Counseling
This fall sees the release of several informative, engaging, challenging titles that will enhance and equip your teaching and ministry.
Four of those titles release today. Here’s a quick overview:
1) 2 CORINTHIANS (WORD BIBLICAL COMMENTARY)
We are pleased to announce the 1986 commentary of veteran scholar Ralph P. Martin on 2 Corinthians in the venerated Word Biblical Commentary series has been thoroughly updated. New sections include Collection, Rhetoric, Composition, and Social Setting. As before, Martin covers such topics as the Spirit, the Opponents, Paul’s Theology, and the Resurrection in this epistle. He gives penetrating insight into the particular problems of Christianity as expressed in the hedonistic, cosmopolitan setting of Corinth, showing how Paul attempts to clearly distinguish the gospel from Hellenistic Judaism and Hellenistic Jewish Christian ideology. What was at stake at Corinth, says Dr. Martin, was “nothing less than the essence of…