The Theology of the Letters of James, Peter, and Jude (New Testament Theology)

The letters of James, 1 and 2 Peter, and Jude are among the most neglected parts of the New Testament, for they lack the immediacy and specificity of the Pauline letters. The authors of this study seek to remedy such neglect; they set the letters in context, examine their major themes, and argue that they are important both for the theology of the New Testament generally and for contemporary discussion about the nature and character of Christian faith today. This series sets out to provide a programmatic survey of the individual writings of the New Testament. It aims to remedy the deficiency of available published material which concentrates on the New Testament writers' theological concerns. New Testament specialists here write at greater length than is usually possible in the introductions to commentaries or as part of other New Testament theologies, and explore the theological themes and issues of their chosen books without being tied to a commentary format, or to a thematic structure provided from elsewhere. When complete, the series will cover all the New Testament writings, and will thus provide an attractive, and timely, range of texts around which courses can be developed.The letters of James, Peter, and Jude number among the most neglected parts of the New Testament. The authors of this study argue that the letters in question are more theologically significant than is often considered the case, and have a distinctive role to play in contemporary discussion of Christian faith. Andrew Chester sets James in context and discusses its main themes: eschatology, faith and works, ethical and social teaching; and (to a lesser extent) law, wisdom, human nature, ministry, God, and Christ. He addresses the problems that James has been seen to pose, in relation to Paul, for the canon and coherence of the New Testament, and points to the significance of James for the present day, especially in its attack on the rich and powerful and its demand for faith to be lived out in everyday life. Ralph P. Martin in turn shows how Jude and 1 and 2 Peter give insight into Jewish Christianity in its earliest development; how the Christian movement was understood in an outlying region of the empire; and how the post-apocalyptic church utilized the memory of Peter for its practical needs. The resulting picture constitutes an expert and long-overdue treatment of these letters as valuable theological documents in their own right. The Letters Of James, Peter, And Jude Have Been Greatly Neglected Within The Christian Tradition: James, Because It Seems Both To Attack Paul's Gospel And Also To Lack Any Coherent, Overall Argument Or Theology Of Its Own; Peter And Jude Because They Lack The Specificity Of The Pauline Letters And Because The Personalities Of The Authors Are Hardly Direct And Immediate. Andrew Chester Argues That James Is More Theologically Significant Than Is Usually Considered The Case, And Has A Distinctive Role To Play In The Contemporary Discussion Of The Christian Faith. He Sets James In Context And Discusses Its Main Themes, Exploring Its Significance Especially For Issues Of Power, Justice And Christian Living. Ralph P. Martin Similarly Stresses The Importance Of 1 And 2 Peter And Jude And Demonstrates How They Cast Light On Jewish Christianity In Its Early Development And Show How The Post-apostolic Church Used The Memory Of Peter. The Theology Of James -- Introduction -- James: Background And Context -- James: Theology -- James And The New Testament -- James: Significance For Today -- The Theology Of Jude, 1 Peter, And 2 Peter -- Jude -- 1 Peter -- 2 Peter. Andrew Chester, Ralph P. Martin. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 164-168) And Indexes. Cover......Page 1 Title Page......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Editor's preface......Page 10 Abbreviations......Page 12 I. The Theology of James / Andrew Chester......Page 14 1. James: background and context......Page 19 2. James: theology......Page 29 3. James and the New Testament......Page 59 4. James: significance for today......Page 67 References......Page 74 II. The Theology of Jude, 1 Peter, and 2 Peter / Ralph P. Martin......Page 76 5. Jude......Page 78 6. 1 Peter......Page 100 7. 2 Peter......Page 147 James......Page 177 1 Peter......Page 179 2 Peter and Jude......Page 180 Index for James......Page 182 Index for Jude......Page 188 Index for 1 Peter......Page 192 Index for 2 Peter......Page 197 Back Cover......Page 203