Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion you should be able to:

• Understand how the Catholic Letters complement one another and recognize the value of reading them together

• Apply teachings on the work of Jesus to draw nearer to God in your own life

• Explain the similarities and differences of James’ and Paul’s teaching on faith, works and justification

• Describe the benefits of suffering in a Christian’s life, as well as how to endure it

• Explain what Peter meant when he talked about Jesus preaching to the spirits in prison

• Sort out the confusing teaching about sin in 1 John

Course Outline

Introduction

• Introducing the Speaker

• Introducing the Course

Unit 1: Canon and the Catholic Epistles

• Why “Catholic” Letters?

• Canon and Canonical Criticism

• The Apostolos

• Features of the Catholic Epistles

• Unity of the Catholic Epistles

Unit 2: James: Wholeness before God

• Genre of James

• The “Two Ways” Tradition

• Author of James

• Audience of James

• Structure of James

• From Trials to Perfection

• No Wisdom for the Double-Minded

• Reasons for Boasting

• Trial and Temptation

• The Implanted Word

• Metaphor for Self-Reflection

• Worthless vs. Pure Religion

• Favoritism in the Christian Community

• Competing Standards of Judgment

• Wholeness and Mercy

• Contrast of Faiths

• Faith and Works Inseparable

• Works and Justification in James

• Do James and Paul Contradict Each Other?

• Tamed and Untamed Tongues

• Duplicitous Tongues

• Wisdom from Above and Below

• Misalignment with God

• Call to Repentance

• Judging Your Brother Is Judging the Law and Judging God

• Merchants and Rich Oppressors

• Patience

• Do Not Swear Oaths

• Prayer

• The Way to Wholeness

Unit 3: First Peter: Suffering for Doing Right

• Author of First Peter

• Audience of First Peter

• Structure of First Peter

• God’s Triune Engagement in Our Salvation

• God the Father’s Transforming Benefits

• Joy in Jesus Christ

• Holy Spirit Revelations

• Call to Holiness

• Love Empowered by God’s Word

• Spiritual Milk

• Living Stones

• Lifestyle Evangelism

• Structure of 1 Peter 2:13–3:12

• Submission to Governors

• Submission of Slaves

• Submission of Jesus

• Submission of Wives

• Christian Response to an Unbelieving Culture

• Christian Witness to the World

• Jesus’ Victory over Cosmic Powers

• Flood Story Parallels

• Sin and Judgment

• Glorify God through Vigilance and Service

• Rejoice in Suffering, Trust God

• Shepherds under Submission

• Humility and Hope

• Final Greetings and Benediction

Unit 4: Second Peter: Responding to False Teaching

• Author of Second Peter

• Argument for Pseudonymous Authorship

• Audience of Second Peter

• Structure of Second Peter

• Basis for Christian Living

• Practice Christian Virtues

• Peter’s Purpose in Writing

• Refuting the “Myth” Charge: Eyewitness to the Transfiguration

• Refuting the “Myth” Charge: Fulfillment of Prophecy

• Refuting the “Human Origin of Prophecy” Charge

• Introducing the False Teachers Theme

• The Certainty of Divine Judgment and Deliverance

• Denunciation of False Teachers

• Shared Goals of First and Second Peter

• The Charge of the Scoffers

• Refuting the Scoffers’ Charge: Argument from Creation and the Flood

• Refuting the Scoffers’ Charge: Inevitable Judgment despite God’s Patience and Forbearance

• Final Exhortations and Benediction

Unit 5: Jude: Standing Firm in the Faith

• Literary Sharing between Jude and Second Peter

• Genre of Jude

• Midrash in Jude

• Author of Jude

• Audience of Jude

• Structure of Jude

• Urgent Appeal to Contend for the Faith

• Typological Types and Antitypes of the Intruders: Groups

• Typological Types and Antitypes of the Intruders: Individuals

• Judging the Intruders: First Enoch

• Why Did Jude Use First Enoch?

• Intruders Foretold by Apostolic Prophecy

• Keeping Yourselves in the Love of God

• Mercy on All?

• Doxology and Closing

Unit 6: Epistles of John: The Incarnate Christ

• Genre of First John

• Author of First John

• Audience of First John

• Structure of First John

• Christological Prologue

• God Is Light

• Correcting Theological Misperceptions

• Wrong Claims of Knowing, Abiding, and Living

• Little Children, Fathers, and Young Men

• Secessionists and Anointed Ones

• God Is Father

• Renounce Sin

• Be Obedient

• Be Animated by the Right Spirit

• Be Loving

• Keep the Faith

• Testimony of God

• That You May Know

• Second and Third John

Conclusion

• Harmony of the Catholic Epistles

Details

• Title: NT286 Survey of the General Epistles

• Instructor: Darian Lockett

• Publisher: Lexham Press

• Publication Date: 2016

• Product Type: Logos Mobile Education

• Resource Type: Courseware, including transcripts, audio, and video resources

• Courses: 1

• Video Hours: 11