NTS 501 NT INTRO AND SURVEY Class XII: Hebrews; James; 1-2 Peter

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

• No specific audience (e.g. Heb, 1Jh)• Identity of audience is vague (1 Pet)

• Also known as Catholic epistles = general/universal


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?


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


• 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?


• 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


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 to 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)


• 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)


• 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)


• 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)


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 death or resurrection of Jesus• No mention of Holy Spirit• Little in-depth doctrinal reflection


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


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)


• 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)


• 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


• 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)


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?


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


• 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


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)


• 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)


• 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)


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?


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?


• 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


• 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


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


• 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

Documents

NTS 501 NT INTRO AND SURVEY Class XII: Hebrews; James; 1-2 Peter