Introduction © John Stevenson, 2011

Dr. John T. Stevenson Family Life Academic Life

Family Life Academic Life Professional Life Dr. John T. Stevenson

Family Life Academic Life Professional Life Spiritual Life Ministry Life Dr. John T. Stevenson

Group Introductions Your nameYour name Your home churchYour home church Where are you in the TIU process?Where are you in the TIU process? What classes have you already taken in the area of the Old or New Testament?What classes have you already taken in the area of the Old or New Testament?

Course Objectives To see the different social situations and theological developments that distinguish the later New Testament epistles from the earlier epistles.To see the different social situations and theological developments that distinguish the later New Testament epistles from the earlier epistles. To understand the critical issues of authorship of these epistles.To understand the critical issues of authorship of these epistles. To explain the political background of these epistles.To explain the political background of these epistles. To understand the flow of thought of each individual book.To understand the flow of thought of each individual book.

Course Objectives To assess the influences of various sub- Christian cults or religious tendencies such as Gnosticism, Doceticism, and the Ebionites.To assess the influences of various sub- Christian cults or religious tendencies such as Gnosticism, Doceticism, and the Ebionites. To produce contemporary applications of the lessons learned from these epistles.To produce contemporary applications of the lessons learned from these epistles.

Marshall, Travis, & Paul Marshall, Travis, & Paul Exploring the New Testament: A Guide to the Letters and Revelation. Exploring the New Testament: A Guide to the Letters and Revelation. InterVarsity, 2002

R. Martin & P. Davids R. Martin & P. Davids Dictionary of the Later New Testament and its Developments. Dictionary of the Later New Testament and its Developments. InterVarsity, 1997

HebrewsHebrews JamesJames 1 st & 2 nd Peter1 st & 2 nd Peter 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd John1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd John JudeJude What makes them “general”?

HebrewsHebrews JamesJames 1 st & 2 nd Peter1 st & 2 nd Peter 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd John1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd John JudeJude A question of authorship

Which of the General Epistles have been questioned as to their canonicity?Which of the General Epistles have been questioned as to their canonicity? On what basis do critics claim someone else wrote these books other than their named authors?On what basis do critics claim someone else wrote these books other than their named authors? Are you persuaded by these arguments?Are you persuaded by these arguments?

What are the distinguishing differences between the Pauline Epistles versus the General Epistles?

Salvation & the Christian Life Romans, Corinthians, Galatians Prison Epistles Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians Eschatological Epistles Thessalonians Pastoral Epistles Timothy, Titus, Philemon

Salvation Hebrews Faith and Works James Eschatological Epistles 2 nd Peter The Christian Life John and Jude Suffering1 st Peter

Largely Gentile Audience Largely Jewish Audience

Gentile Thinking Jewish Thinking

Gentile Thinking Concrete Rational Linear Moves from point to point in a carefully organized manner Jewish Thinking Symbolic Visual Holistic Moves in a journey through a series of thoughts Greeks search after wisdom Jews want a sign

Gentile Thinking Then a champion came out from the armies of the Philistines named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span. 5 He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was clothed with scale-armor which weighed five thousand shekels of bronze. (1 Samuel 17:4-5). Jewish Thinking

Gentile Thinking He also had bronze greaves on his legs and a bronze javelin slung between his shoulders. 7 The shaft of his spear was like a weaver's beam, and the head of his spear weighed six hundred shekels of iron; his shield-carrier also walked before him. (1 Samuel 17:6-7). Jewish Thinking

Hebrew Scriptures Greek Septuagint

What were some of the ethnic/racial issues faced by the early church?

God of wine & festivity

God of healing

God of sea & storms

Jewish Persecutions Reasons for Jewish PersecutionReasons for Jewish Persecution –Perceived charge of blasphemy –The stumbling block of the cross –Jealousy for popularity of the people –Gamaliel’s reasoned defense Initially limited to Judea and the surrounding regionsInitially limited to Judea and the surrounding regions

And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. (Acts 8:1b).

Jewish Persecutions Reasons for Jewish PersecutionReasons for Jewish Persecution –Perceived charge of blasphemy –The stumbling block of the cross –Jealousy for popularity of the people –Gamaliel’s reasoned defense Initially limited to Judea and the surrounding regionsInitially limited to Judea and the surrounding regions Capital punishment was initially unauthorized by RomeCapital punishment was initially unauthorized by Rome

Jewish Persecutions Curse on the “Nazareans” was added to the official Jewish prayers of the late first century.Curse on the “Nazareans” was added to the official Jewish prayers of the late first century.

Jewish Persecutions Curse on the “Nazareans” was added to the official Jewish prayers of the late first century.Curse on the “Nazareans” was added to the official Jewish prayers of the late first century. Christians left Judea and moved to Pella prior to the fall of JerusalemChristians left Judea and moved to Pella prior to the fall of Jerusalem 

Christianity versus Rome A Conflict of Culture Roman schools taught pagan religion. Roman cemeteries offered up prayers to false idols.

Christianity versus Rome A Conflict of Culture Roman schools taught pagan religion.Roman schools taught pagan religion. Roman cemeteries offered up prayers to false idols.Roman cemeteries offered up prayers to false idols. Roman marketplaces sold food that had been offered to Roman gods.Roman marketplaces sold food that had been offered to Roman gods. The Roman military personnel were required to swear oaths to the emperor, worshiping him.The Roman military personnel were required to swear oaths to the emperor, worshiping him.

Christianity versus Rome A Conflict of Culture Roman Religious Tolerance Christianity’s Exclusive Claims In what ways does Christianity conflict with today’s culture?