Catholic (General) Epistles James; 1 and 2 Peter; 1, 2, and 3 John; and Jude

2 See Textbook, Chapter 15, “General Epistles and a Vision of End Time”, pp and

3 Introduction: Catholic Epistles: - intended for the Church at Large; - called epistles because most of them are formal communications intended for public reading in many different churches; - thus, they differ from Paul’s epistles that were intended for specific recipients; - however, the term epistle does not adequately describe their diverse literary forms; - all attributed to prominent leaders of the original Jerusalem church; - three are ascribed to “pillars” of the Jerusalem church: Peter, James, and John (Galatians 2.9); - practice of attributing works to well-known but deceased persons is called pseudonymity. - in this, early Christians followed the lead of the Jews of the Hebrew Scriptures (e.g., Psalms of David and the Wisdom of Solomon);

4 James: - A Jewish-Christian anthology of ethical instructions; - most scholars question the claim that the work was written by James, “the Lord’s brother” (Mt 13.55; Mk 6.3; Gal 1.19); - the author never refers to either Jesus or his gospel; - according to Josephus (Antiquities ), James was martyred ca CE; - a compilation of ethical advice (59 of 108 verses are in the imperative) made between 80 and 100 CE; - one of the last NT books to be accepted into the canon; - addressed to the “Twelve Tribes dispersed throughout the world” (1.1); resembles a sermon more than a letter; its advice is mostly general;

5 James’ Concept of Religion: - Defines religion as typically Jewish good works ( ); - charitable practices that will save the soul and cancel a multitude of sins ( ); - the type of religion that God approves is practical: - helping “orphans and widows” ; and - keeping “oneself untarnished by the world” (1.27); - James’ religion cannot be formulated into doctrines, creeds, or rituals.

6 James’ Teaching on Faith: -James asserts that it was Abraham’s action – his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac – that justified him in God’s eyes (2.21; Gen ); - see 2.24; - the implication is that one earns divine approval through hard work and service to others; - this appears to be other than Paul’s teaching on faith in Galatians and Romans 1-8; - Martin Luther rejected James’ argument, describing the work as “strawlike” because it seemed to recognize the primacy of divine grace; James’ Teaching on Faith: -James asserts that it was Abraham’s action – his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac – that justified him in God’s eyes (2.21; Gen ); - see 2.24; - the implication is that one earns divine approval through hard work and service to others; - this appears to be other than Paul’s teaching on faith in Galatians and Romans 1-8; - Martin Luther rejected James’ argument, describing the work as “strawlike” because it seemed to recognize the primacy of divine grace; James’ Teaching on Faith: -James asserts that it was Abraham’s action – his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac – that justified him in God’s eyes (2.21; Gen ); - see 2.24; - the implication is that one earns divine approval through hard work and service to others; - this appears to be other than Paul’s teaching on faith in Galatians and Romans 1-8; - Martin Luther rejected James’ argument, describing the work as “strawlike” because it seemed to recognize the primacy of divine grace; James’ Teaching on Faith: -James asserts that it was Abraham’s action – his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac – that justified him in God’s eyes (2.21; Gen ); - see 2.24; - the implication is that one earns divine approval through hard work and service to others; - this appears to be other than Paul’s teaching on faith in Galatians and Romans 1-8; - Martin Luther rejected James’ argument, describing the work as “strawlike” because it seemed to recognize the primacy of divine grace; James’ Teaching on Faith: -James asserts that it was Abraham’s action – his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac – that justified him in God’s eyes (2.21; Gen ); - see 2.24; - the implication is that one earns divine approval through hard work and service to others; - this appears to be other than Paul’s teaching on faith in Galatians and Romans 1-8; - Martin Luther rejected James’ argument, describing the work as “strawlike” because it seemed to recognize the primacy of divine grace; James’ Teaching on Faith: -James asserts that it was Abraham’s action – his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac – that justified him in God’s eyes (2.21; Gen ); - see 2.24; - the implication is that one earns divine approval through hard work and service to others; - this appears to be other than Paul’s teaching on faith in Galatians and Romans 1-8; - Martin Luther rejected James’ argument, describing the work as “strawlike” because it seemed to recognize the primacy of divine grace; James’ Teaching on Faith: - James asserts that it was Abraham’s action – his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac – that justified him in God’s eyes (2.21; Gen ); - see 2.24; - the implication is that one earns divine approval through hard work and service to others; - this appears to be other than Paul’s teaching on faith in Galatians and Romans 1-8; - Martin Luther rejected James’ argument, describing the work as “strawlike” because of its failure to regonize the primacy of divine grace;

7 Attack on the Rich: -Criticism of the rich ( ); - Denunciation of Christian merchants and landowners who use their wealth and power to exploit their economic inferiors (Deut ); - employers defraud their employees; - such injustice outrages the Creator; - A note of optimism: - sinners can hope for recovery; - God’s healing grace operates through congregational prayer for the afflicted; - the power of a good person’s prayer ( ). Attack on the Rich: - Criticism of the rich ( ); - Denunciation of Christian merchants and landowners who use their wealth and power to exploit their economic inferiors (Deut ); - employers defraud their employees; - such injustice outrages the Creator; - A note of optimism: - sinners can hope for recovery; - God’s healing grace operates through congregational prayer for the afflicted; - the power of a good person’s prayer ( ).

8 1 Peter: - Scholars question the authorship of the work; - addressed to churches in Asia Minor (1.1); - written “through Sylvanus [Silas]” (5.12); thus, the reason for its excellent Greek; - the work is probably pseudonymous and probably written after apostolic times; - author refers to himself as “an elder” (5.1) – a church official; - many scholars date it to the time of Domitian (ca. 95 CE) or Trajan (ca. 112 CE); - greetings from “her who dwells in Babylon” (5.13) – the Christian code word for Rome;

9 1 Peter : - A baptismal sermon or a real letter: - presents readers with a vivid survey of both the privileges and dangers involved in adopting the Christian way of life; - Outline: - 1. The privileges and values of the Christian calling ( ); - 2. The obligations and responsibilities of Christian life ( ); - 3. The ethical meaning and suffering as a Christian ( ).

10 1 Peter: 1. The privileges and values of the Christian calling ( ): - to an audience who does not know Jesus; - the author emphasizes the value of the faith transmitted to them; - use their present trials and difficulties as means of showing their commitment and quality of their love (1.3-7); - Christians are a new “chosen race”, “a royal priesthood”, “a holy nation”, and a people claimed by God for his own (2.9-10).

11 1 Peter: 2.The obligations and responsibilities of Christian life ( ): -The responsibilities and moral conduct of God’s people; - this section contains Pauline ideas especially relative to matters of Christian behaviour and obedience to the Roman state (compare Romans 13 and 1 Peter , 2.18, and 3.1-2); - references to Jesus descent into the Underworld (Hades): and 4.6.

12 1 Peter: 3. The ethical meaning and suffering as a Christian ( ): - The ethical meaning of suffering as a Christian; - As followers of Christ, they must expect to share his suffering ( ); - What will happen to the wicked ( )? - Elders must shepherd the flock with loving care; young people must submit to their rule (5.1-7); - All must remain alert because the devil prowls the earth (5.8); - the faithful who resist the devil will share in Christ’s reward (5.10).

13 Jude: - Author: “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James” (1.1); - however, the work itself indicates that the time of the apostles is past (1.17); - scholars think that the work is pseudonymous; - composed ca. 125 CE; - perhaps in Rome;

14 Jude: - The work castigates an unidentified group of heretics (1.4); - Its intent is to persuade the recipients to defend orthodox Christian traditions (1.3); - The author does not try to correct the errors of the heretics rationally; - For this reason, the work is seen as the least creative book of the NT; - The author verbally abuses and insults the heretics (vv. 4 and 10); - They are doomed to suffer divine wrath (1.11);

15 Jude: - Jude cites several nonbiblical sources; - For example, in the author cites Enoch; - Does this mean that some early Christian groups regarded Enoch as authoritative? - Work refers to a postbiblical legend about the archangel Michael contenting for Moses’ body (1.9); - Is this from “Assumption of Moses”, another pseudepigraphical work? - The ending of the work is a remarkable doxology ( ).

16 2 Peter: - Incorporates most of Jude into Chapter 2; - written in the second century in Peter’s name; - probably in Rome ca CE; - late date indicated by the incorporation of Jude, a reference to Paul’s letters as “Scripture” (3.16), and its concern with the delayed Parousia (Ch. 3); - early lists of NT books omit 2 Peter; - one of the last works to be accepted into the NT canon;

17 2 Peter: - The author presents his credentials ( ; 1.14; 3.1; 3.15); - Against “false teachers” who pervert the apostolic traditions (2.1); - Judgment will fall upon them (2.4-6); - the primary goal of the work is to set forth the early Christian apocalyptic hope of the Parousia (Second Coming) (Chapter 3); - a prediction of a holocaust (3.7, 10); - a third world will replace the previous two destroyed – by water (Noah’s time) and by fire; - “new heaven and a new earth” were there will be true justice, the eschatological kingdom of God (3.13); - from God’s vantage point, the Parousia is not delayed; - God’s slowness to act is because God wills to save all people (3.8- 9).

18 1, 2, and 3 John: - traditionally ascribed to the apostle John; - The author of 2 and 3 John identifies himself as the “Elder” (presbyteros) (2 John 1.1; 3 John 1.1); - The author of 1 John does not mention his function or office in the church; - most scholars believe that the same person wrote the three works; - but the author is not identified with either the apostle John or the author of the Gospel according to John; - the letters are generally dated to ca CE; - the letters give insight into the Johannine community or “the community of the beloved disciple” that produced and used the Fourth Gospel as its standard of belief.

19 1 John: - A sermon against former members who have recently withdrawn from the Johannine community; - they are the “anti-Christs” ( ); - the Elder is of the opinion that the “last hour” has arrived (2.18); - the problem as to how the believer was to determine which among opposing “inspirations” was truly from God; - the Elder is the first Christian writer to propose how believers can distinguish “the spirit of error” from “the spirit of truth (4.1-6); - the believers are asked to “test the spirits” critically (4.1) to evaluate the reliability of the competing messengers.

20 1 John: -The Elder’s Christological test of true faith: - Jesus (the man) and Christ (the heavenly being) were one person, “in the flesh”; - those who deny this “light” now walk in “darkness”. The community’s cardinal rule: - 1 John people who do not love cannot know God because “God is love” (4.8-9); - to love God is also to cherish God’s human creation ( ); - loving God necessitates keeping his commandments (5.1-5); - this means living as Jesus did, serving others’ welfare (2.6).

21 2 John: - The author’s purpose is to warn of the “anti-Christ”, the one who teaches that Jesus Christ did not live as a material human being (1.7); - He urges the letter’s recipients not to welcome such Christians into their homes ( ); - He cites one cardinal rule, the love that is their community’s sole guide (1.5-6).

22 3 John: - The form of a private letter from the Elder to a certain Gaius; - The Elder’s private note to his friend Gaius asking him to extend hospitality to some Johannine missionaries (1.8); - A rival leader denies hospitality to the missionaries and expels from the community any persons who attempt to aid them; - This leader does not practice the community’s essential commandment.

23 “Questions for Review”, pp in the Textbook; “Questions for Discussion and Reflection”, p. 516 in the Textbook; “Terms and Concepts to Remember”, p. 516 in the Textbook.