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NTS 501 NT Intro and Survey

NTS 501 NT Intro and Survey. Class XII: Hebrews; James; 1-2 Peter. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter. 1.1 Introduction to General Epistles List the NT General Epistles: Hebrews; James;1,2 Peter; 1-3 John, Jude 8 general epistles – grouped according to length

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NTS 501 NT Intro and Survey

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  1. NTS 501 NT Intro and Survey Class XII: Hebrews; James; 1-2 Peter

  2. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 1.1 Introduction to General Epistles • List the NT General Epistles: • Hebrews; James;1,2 Peter; 1-3 John, Jude • 8 general epistles – grouped according to length • No specific audience (e.g. Heb, 1Jh) • Identity of audience is vague (1 Pet) • Also known as Catholic epistles = general/universal

  3. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 2.1 Introduction to Hebrews • Theological depth unparalleled in NT • Problems w/ accepting into canon in the west • Problematic passages and doctrines • What about historical appreciation b/f any doctrinal conclusions?

  4. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 2.2 Historical and Critical Issues • Author – unknown • Suggestions: Paul, Barnabas, Apollos… • Reluctantly accepted into canon (esp. west) • Unknown authorship – cf. Origen “Only God knows” • Problem of postbaptismal sin • Date, provenance, purpose • Probably pre-70AD, cf. 10:2 (before AD 96; cf. Clement of Rome) – possible dates AD 50s – AD 90 • Place of writing “Those from Italy greet you” 13:24 • Rome • Jerusalem

  5. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Is Hebrews a letter? • ‘word of exhortation’ 13:22 (cf. Acts 13:15) – homily? • Cf. recall conventions of ancient letter writing • To Jewish-Christians or gentile Christians • Apocalyptic or platonic background?

  6. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Situation of Hebrews • Jewish-Christians wavering in faith b/c of hardships • 2nd generation believers – experienced miracles (2:2-4) • Abuse & persecution - ‘Recall earlier days when you..’ 10:32-34 • Used to be exemplary in good works (6:10; 10:34) • Now – ‘dull in understanding’ (5:11) & ‘sluggish’ (6:12; cf. 12:12) • ‘Do not abandon confidence…’ 10:35 • Warnings of ‘falling away’ (6:4-8) & growth to maturity (5:11, 14)  Danger of falling back to Judaism (or of sort) • Alternation of doctrine and encouragement/warnings • Superiority of Christ over institutions & heroes of Judaism • Consequences of falling away

  7. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 2.3 Main themes in Hebrews • Christ’s the superior Savior • Christ’s pre-existence (1:2; 10:5) – (cf. Wis 7:25-26; 7:22; 9:9) • Jesus as God (1:8; cf. 13:8) • Incarnation (2:14-18) • Sacrificial death (2:9); resurrection (1:3); return in judgment (10:25) • Heavenly intercession (7:23-25; cf. 2:18; 8:1-2) • Christ is superior to angles (1:4-11; 2:5-18) • Christ is superior Jewish heroes of OT • prophets (1:1-3); Moses (3:1-6); Joshua (4:1-11); Aaron (4:14-5:10); Levi (7:1-22) • Christ brings superior salvation than OT institutions • New covenant (8:1-13); superior sacrifice (10:1-18); saves completely (7:25); true, eternal salvation (8:5-6; 9:23; 10:1)

  8. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Christ the human being • Like any other human being but w/o sin (2:11, 17-18; 4:15) • Had to learn obedience and become complete (2:10; 5:8) • Jesus’ human nature important in Hebrews b/c… • To suffer & die as a sacrifice (2:14-15; 7:27) • Able to sympathize w/ human weakness (2:17; 4:15) • Becomes credible example for others (12:1-3) • Jesus the High Priest (2:17; 3:1; 4:14; 5:5, 10; 6:20; 7:26; 8:1; 9:11; 10:21) • How can Jesus be a priest w/o proper ancestry? • Priest per Mechizedek (Gen 14:14-20; Ps 110:4) • Jesus’ superior & eternal priesthood (7:3, 9-10) • Jesus – priest & sacrifice (9:21-14; 10:4-10; 13:12) • Once-for-all sacrifice in heavenly sanctuary (8:1-2; 9:24-26)

  9. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Pilgrimage and Rest • Destiny of God’s people – heavenly rest & city (4:1-11; 11:16) • “Rest” in OT – promised land (4:8) • True rest not achieved due to unbelief & rebellion (3:12, 19; 4:6: 11)  True rest is “God’s rest” (4:9-11) • Wilderness wandering vs. journey toward eternal city • Goal – ‘eternal city’ ‘heavenly country’ (11:16) • Journey includes hardship & persecution (10:32-39) • “great cloud of witnesses” (11:1-12:1) • Christ the great ‘pioneer’ & examples (12:2-3; 2:10; 4:15) • Suffering as discipline (12:4-13) • Holiness and completeness (2:10; 5:7-9; 12:10, 14)

  10. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Warnings about apostasy – How does one endure? • The great warning passage in Hebrews • Impossibility of renewal after apostasy (6:4-6) • No sacrifice for willful sin – warning of hellfire (10:26-31) • Apostasy and analogy of Esau (12:16-17) • What did the author want to convey? • Real and true apostasy possible? • Rhetorical exaggeration or theoretical possibility? • Call to examine one’s faith • What about other passages in Hebrews? • 3:14; 6:9; 7:25; 10:39 • Severe warnings “How can we escape…neglect…great salvation” (2:3; 10:31)

  11. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 3.1 Introduction to James • James has received a lot of bad press • Luther “letter of straw…” that lacks the gospel • Often compared to Paul – w/ negative consequences • Some peculiar features • Jesus mentioned only twice by name (1:1; 2:1) • Meetings in a synagogue (2:2) • No mention of deathor resurrection of Jesus • No mention of Holy Spirit • Little in-depth doctrinal reflection

  12. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 3.2 Historical and Critical Issues • Authorship • James - brother of Jesus (Mk 3:21; Acts 12:17; 15:19-29;1Cor 15:7) (AD 40-62) • Anonymous Jewish-Christian (AD 80-100) • Stylistic features • Jewish features of James • Resemblance to OT wisdom literature • Close affinity to Jesus’ sayings (e.g. Sermon on the Mount) • Greco-Roman features • Diatribe rhetoric (2:14, 21; 3:13; 4:1-5) • Use of LXX • Letter or homily? • No personal notes or info – no formal closing • Written to “twelve tribes in Dispersion” (1:1)  To live w/ integrity and not to compromise with the world

  13. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 3.3 Themes in James • Trials and temptations • “trials of any kind” (1:2) – focus on tests from within • Testing of faith beneficial (1:2-4, 12) • One’s desires, not God, tempts (1:14; 4:1-3; 1:13) • Temptation ought to seen as a test (1:2-4, 12) • Leads to sin and death (1:15) • Overcoming the test is possible through… • Drawing near & submitting to God and purifying heart (4:7-9) • Through God’s help and wisdom (1:4-7; 17; 5:7-9) • Prayer and example of the prophets (5:11, 13-17)

  14. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Wisdom from above • Wisdom = how to live ethically in the world • Based on friendship w/ God – opposed to the world (4:4) • Humility, mercy, gentleness, peace (1:9; 4:10; 1:21; 2:13; 3:18) • Promotes endurance in trials (1:3-4; 5:11; 1:12-16) • Controls anger & controls speech (1:19; 4:11; 5:9) • Loves neighbor & care for the poor and needy (2:8; 1:27; 2:14-15) • No partiality or favoritism (2:1-9; 3:17)  Greatest challenge is double-mindedness (1:8; 4:8; cf. 3:13)

  15. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Faith and works • Focus on faith that shows itself to be true in practice (2:14-25) • James opposed faith that is mere intellectual assent (2:19) • Faith and works belong together (2:22) • Compare Gal 5:6; Rom 2:13; 8:4, 14 • Compare also to Matt 5-7 • Consistency of faith and action  No room for double-mindedness

  16. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Rich and the poor • Discrimination in the church against poor (2:1-4) • The poor are chosen and have strong faith (2:5) • Exploitation of the poor by the rich (2:6; 5:1-5) • Rich live in luxury (2:1-4; 5:1-5) • Oppress and blaspheme (2:6-7) • Conduct business and accumulate riches (4:13) • Ready for slaughter and judgment (4:14; 5:1, 5)  Prophetic denouncement per OT prophets • Riches do not last (1:9-11; 4:13-14) • The rich should… • True religion is to help the most vulnerable (1:27) • Boast in “being made low” (1:10) – sell everything? Give generously? • Reevaluate priorities (4:13-15) • Demonstrate love of neighbor and give up double-mindedness (2:8, 12; 1:8; 4:8)

  17. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 4.1 Introduction to 1 Peter • How often heard a sermon on 1 Peter? • Familiar memory verses in 1 Peter? • Themes and topics in 1 Peter?

  18. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 4.2 Historical and Critical Issues • Authorship– Apostle Peter or “Pertrine perspective”? • Some arguments in favor of “Petrine perspective” (AD 70-100) • Lacks unique perspective (cf. p.467; box 25.2) • Moody Peter vs. gentle Peter (cf. 3:8) • Written in highly polished Greek (for a Galilean fisherman) • Some arguments in favor of apostle Peter (early to mid 60s) • Peter used Jesus, Jerusalem church & Pauline traditions • Used amanuensis for better Greek • Comparison w/ Gosp. of Peter; Acts of Peter; Apoc. of Peter

  19. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Audience, purpose, occasion • Written from “Babylon” – i.e. Rome (5:13) • To churches in exile in dispersion (1:1) • Gentile congregation (1:14, 18; 4:3; cf. 2:10) • Written to churches enduring harassment & ostracism • References to suffering (1:6. 11; 2:19-23; 3:14-18; 4:1, 13-19; 5:1, 9-10) • Social ostracism not systematic persecution • Purpose • To stand fast in faith and act in a godly ways

  20. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 4.3 Themes in 1 Peter • Suffering and persecution • Suffering of believers is “fiery ordeal” & “normal” (4:12) • Verbal abuse and social ostracism (2:12; 3:16; 4:14-16; 2:19-20) • Severance of ties w/ ‘old life’ (4:3-4) • Believers as “strangers and exiles” (2:11; cf. 1:1, 17) • Suffering accords w/ God’s will (3:17) • Suffering comes from the evil people & devil, not God (5:8) • Not believers’ fault (4:12; 5:9) • Evildoers will be punished (4:5, 17-18) • God’s care and rewards (1:7, 11-13; 2:19-20; 3:9, 14; 4:14; 5:4, 10) • Suffering proving ground & sharing in Christ’s suffering (1:6-7; 4:13) • Jesus the suffering Servant (1:11, 19; 2:22-25; 3:18; 4:1) • Suffering of believers as imitation of Christ (2:21-23; 3:9)

  21. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Two practical steps in the midst of suffering • Community of support (3:8; 4:17; 2:17; 5:9) • Not to provoke persecution (2:12-16; 3:12) • Behave respectfully to authorities (2:15-16) • Demonstrate faith by good deeds (2:12; 3:1-16; 4:3-4; cf. 2:1) • Christians as the New Israel • Terminology of Israel now applied to believers in Christ • Royal priesthood…chosen people (2:9) • New temple – sacrifices through Christ (2:5) • Prophets & scripture point to Christ (1:8-10; 1:11-12) • Holiness of God’s people (1:15-16; cf. Lev 11:45) • Believers as ‘dispersion’ and in ‘Exile’ (1:1) • Salvation available to all in Christ (1:3, 11; 2:21-24; 3:18-21)

  22. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Submission to Earthly Authorities • Submission to earthly authorities – weak to stronger • Roman emperor and local authorities (2:13-15) • Slaves to masters (2:18) • Wives to husbands (3:1-6; cf. 3:7)  Why this emphasis on submission? • Composition of the communities? • Subservient position most Christ-like? • Demonstrate Christians not a threat to social order? • Plutarch: “a married woman should not worship and recognize gods whom her husband holds dear, and these alone” (Advice on Marriage 19) • Strategy of 1 Peter • Survival in the midst of persecution • No attempts for social transformation (cf. Mk 10:42-44; Acts 5:29)

  23. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 5.1 Introduction to 2 Peter • How often have you heard a sermon from 2 Peter? • What is the main theme of 2 Peter? • Are there any popular‘memory verses’ in 2 Peter?

  24. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 5.2 Historical and Critical issues • Authorship • “pseudonymity of 2 Pet…more certain than…other NT book” (Brown 1997, 767) • Some arguments for pseudepigrapha • Different style, vocabulary, and themes from 1 Peter • Reliance on Jude (p. 483, box 26.1) • testament genre & late attestation in early church (Origen) • Strongly Hellenistic perspective – not a Galilean fisherman • 2nd coming in the distant future & Paul’s letters as Scripture • Some arguments for apostle Peter • Identifies Peter as author (1:1-2) • Reference to gospel tradition (1:16-18) • Parallel phrases (1:2/1Pet 1:2; 2 Pet1:2/2:9; 2Pet 3:14/1:19) • Testament genre not found in a letter format • Paul as “dear brother” – unlikely pseudepigraphal statement • Why would’ve pseudep. loaned from Jude but not from 1Pet?

  25. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Audience, purpose, occasion • If authentic, written AD 62-65 (from Rome; cf. 1Pet 1:1, 2Pet 3:1) • Peter’s martyrdom near (1:14) • Wanted to pass legacy and warn of false teachers (2:1) • If pseudepigrapha, written AD 80-120 (?) • Written by disciple of Peter as his last testament • Purpose: to warn of false teachers & stand firm

  26. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • The identity of false teachers • No respect for authority (2:1, 10) • Profit from their endeavors (3:3) • Entice and flatter (2:14-18) • Moral laxity (2:10-13) • Reject coming judgment and Christ’s 2nd coming (3:3-9) • Use OT passages & Paul to support their ideas (1:20-21; 3:16) • Were these false teachers… • Gnostic Christians (cf. 1:16; 3:15-16; 3:5) • Epicurean Christians (cf. 3:4; 2:19) • Gods do not intervene in the world • Danger of false teaching to lead even mature believers astray (1:12; 3:17; cf. 2:14, 18)  Strive for godliness and trust in God’s promises

  27. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter 5.3 Themes in 2 Peter • The Delay of Parousia– “Where is the promise of his coming?” (3:4) • Parousia grounded in reality of Jesus on earth (1:16-18) • God’s time vs. human time (3:8) • God’s mercy and patience (3:9) • “hastening the Day” by evangelism (3:12) • Importance of judgment • God’s judgment in history (2:5; 3:5-6) • Time of end – by fire (3:7, 10-12) • Recreation of heaven and earth (3:13)  Warning to false teachers of the coming judgment

  28. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Importance of godliness – “What sort of persons should we be?” (3:11) • God’s power given to believers to escape sin (1:4-9) • Part-takers of divine nature (1:4; cf. 3:14) • Knowledge & promises of God (1:2-3) • Knowledge of past and future • Holiness and godliness in light of coming judgment (3:11) • Remember past – not to become ‘nearsighted’ (1:9; 2:10)  Warnings of backsliding and apostasy

  29. Hebrew; James; 1-2 Peter • Audience, purpose, occasion • If authentic, written AD 62-65 (from Rome; cf. 1Pet 1:1, 2Pet 3:1) • Peter’s martyrdom near (1:14) • Wanted to pass legacy and warn of false teachers (2:1) • If pseudepigrapha, written AD 80-120 (?) • Written by disciple of Peter as his last testament • Purpose: to warn of false teachers & stand firm

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