Date post: | 26-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | dorothy-booker |
View: | 216 times |
Download: | 2 times |
NEW TESTAMENT FOUNDATION
NT 102
THE CHRISTIAN IN A NON-CHRISTIAN WORLD
THE ENEMIES WITHIN
1 PETER IntroductionA. I Peter’s primary focus: Christian living in a non-
Christian world B. I Peter makes reference to Isaiah 53
Authorship
A. Support for traditional opinion of “Peter” as author
1. Author presents himself as Peter, an apostle of Jesus (1:1)
2. Tradition is unanimous
B. Arguments of countering opinions and responses
1. The quality of the Greek is too good for a Galilean fisherman
2. The text reads too much like Paul
3. The possible reference to imperial persecution
Date & Provenance
A. Indication of Date1. Features of the persecution which the church
is undergoinga. Only recently begun (4:12ff: do not be
surprised ...)
b. No deaths as yet
2. Absence of polemics against Rome (as per Revelation) The letter may be dated, then, probably sometime just before Nero’s outbreak, ca. 64.
B. Indications of Provenance1. Telling phrase: “She who is in Babylon sends you greetings” (5:13)
2. Interpretive commentary
C. Addressees1. to the Diaspora in the five provinces of Asia Minor (1:2)
2. to Gentiles (1:14, 18; 2:10; 4:3ff)
Churches in Northern Asia Minor
Purpose
A. I Peter notes & addresses persecution of some kind (1:6; 4:12; cf. 2:12, 15, 19; 3:13-16; 4:4;
5:10); but it presents nothing specific (in terms of purpose): proposals…
1. traditionally connected with official Roman persecution (e.g. Nero, AD 54-68; Domitian, AD 81-96; or Trajan, AD 98-117; cf. 3:15; 4:12, 15-16; 5:9)
2. social ostracism (“resident aliens” & “visiting strangers”; 2:11; cf. 1:1, 17) based on:
a. change in their ethical behavior (3:14, 17; cf. 2:12, 19-20; 3:6; 4:4, 15-16) and as a result
b. change in social relationships (cf. Elliott,
Home for the Homeless, 1981)
B. Hence, the purpose of the epistle may be said to be...1. to bolster faith which is perhaps wavering AND/OR
2. simply to encourage …In either case, it deals with how they ought to live as Christians in the face of hostility.
Content
A. Introductory matters (1:1-2) B. Thanksgiving (1:3-12)
1. Your new birth gives rise to a living hope
2. In the meantime, you are shielded by faith in God’s power
3. Thus you rejoice in this glorious salvation
C. Holiness & Christian Conduct (1:13—2:10)
Echoes of the Exodus from Egypt & the Sinai experience
1. God is holy (1:13—2:3)
2. You are God’s house—the Temple imagery (2:4-10)
D. Conduct under Suffering (2:11—4:19)1. General exhortation (2:11-12)a. Abstain from soul-warring desires
b. Let your good conduct witness to Christ
2. Discussion on submission to authorities (2:13-17)a. Show respect to human authorities but fear God
b. On the one hand, live as free men, but on the other, live as servants of God (2:16)
3. Specific implications (2:18—4:11)a. To slaves who have pagan masters (2:18-25)i. Bearing up under suffering is commendable only when unjustly treated
ii. Christ is the redemptive example
b. To wives who have pagan husbands (3:1-6(7))
c. To all others (3:8—4:11)i. Live in harmony
ii. Christian suffering
iii. Do not retaliate but bless… for this leads to life (I Pet 3:10-12 echoes Ps 34:13-17)… and to winning your persecutors
iv. Follow the example of Christ
v. Christ’s preaching in Hades? 2nd chance for salvation? (3:18-20; 4:6)
4. Admonishment regarding sufferinga. Suffering is to be expected (4:12-19)
b. Do not be surprised but rejoice since this is participation in Christ’s sufferings
c. Do not be ashamed since it is all part of the eschatological birth pangs
d. Commit yourselves to God & continue to do good
5. Closing remarks to the church (5:1-11)a. Elders: rule by example (5:1-5).
b. Young men: be submissive (5:6).
c. All live with humility & wisdom (5:7-11).
d. Doxology (5:10-11)
E. Farewell (5:12-14)
Conclusion
A. Christ has suffered to redeem us B. We may also be called to suffer C. We suffer with joy since, just as Christ was raised to
glory, so also will we.
The “Spirits in Prison” of 1 Peter 3:18-20 One of the most problematic NT passages is 1 Pet. 3:18-20:For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water.
Implications: Apostle’s Creed – “… he descended into hell” (no specification as to the purpose)
Doctrine of Purgatory
6 basic questions about this event:i.When it occurredii.Who preachediii.What was preachediv.To whom the message was preachedv.Where it was preachedvi.The reason for the preaching
TIME MESSENGER CONTENT SPIRITS/PLACE PURPOSE1 Noah’s day Christ in Noah Repentance Humans on earth (but
now spirits in hell)Judgment
2 Between Christ’s death & resurrection
Christ Gospel Dead unsaved humans in Hades who perished
in Noah’s flood
Judgment
3 Between Christ’s death & resurrection
Christ Gospel Dead unsaved humans in Hades from OT
times
2nd chance to believe
4 Between Christ’s death & resurrection
Christ Defeat of death Dead unsaved humans in Hades from OT
times
Judgment
5 Between Christ’s death & resurrection
Christ Release Dead humans in Purgatory who
repented just before dying in Noah’s flood
Lead them to heaven
6 After Christ’s resurrection
Christ Defeat of Death Imprisoned angels of Genesis 6 in Tartarus
Victory of resurrection
Analysis of Views:
#1. Noah preached repentance to his generation who are now in Hades.A. Strengths
Peter says Christ preached through prophets (I Pet. 1:11; 2 Pet. 2:5; cf. 2 Cor. 13:3).Noah & Peter's readers shared in common many characteristics such as being a righteous, persecuted minority.
B. Weaknesses1. Although I Peter 2:5 says that Noah was a preacher, this is not taught in the present text before us. Rather, the subject of the verb in verse 18 ("Christ died...") continues into verse 19 when it notes that "he went..."
2. Christ inspiring prophets is not the same as Christ himself preaching and there are no other parallels to Christ temporally inhabiting OT characters
3. Actually, Christ is the model of righteous suffering here-not Noah.
4. This view doesn’t relate the event to the death and
resurrection of Christ which is noted in the context.
#2. Christ preached judgment to unsaved human spirits in Hades who died in Noah's flood. A. Strengths
1. The view addresses both Noah's and Christ’s involvement in the event.
2. This view sees the recipients as remaining
unsaved and since the message is one of judgment it avoids the problematic “second chance to believe" theory.
B. Weaknesses1. In the NT "spirits" always refers to nonhuman spiritual beings (angels) unless specifically noted as human (Matt. 12:45; Mk. 1:23, 26; 3:30; Luke 10:20; Acts 19:15-16; 16:16; 23:8-9; Eph. 2:2; Heb. 1:14; 12:9, 23; Rev. 16:13, 14).
2. This view does not explain why Noah’s generation is singled out among the numerous wicked generations.
#3. Christ preached a second chance to accept the gospel to unsaved human spirits in Hades. A. Weaknesses
1. No evidence in the text to suggest a second chance to believe
2. Hebrews 9:27
#4. Christ announced victory over unsaved human spirits in Hades whose condemnation was final. A. Strengths
1. This view acknowledges Christ as the preacher.2. The timing of this event would make sense.3. It does not argue an unscriptural "second chance" theology
B. Weaknesses1. “Spirits" when unqualified never refers to humans in the NT (only to angels)
2. The concept of preaching to the dead is a foreign idea to the NT
#5. Christ released human spirits from Purgatory because they repented at Noah's Flood. A. Weaknesses
1. The place where these spirits were held was a “prison” seems an odd description of the place of the righteous.
2. The scriptural basis for purgatory is lacking.
#6. Christ proclaimed triumph over imprisoned, fallen angels who married women before the flood A. Strengths
1. "Spirits" refer to angels
2. Angels (or “sons of God”) were involved in disobedience (Gen. 6)
3. Parallel with pre-NT Jewish mythology (e.g. I Enoch 10:11-12; Jubilees 5:6)
4. Imprisoned angels in Tartarus in 2 Peter 2:4.
B. Weaknesses1. Never are angels said to have disobeyed during
the building of the ark
2. This view argues on the less likely (secular) meaning of the word for "preached" (which is not impossible but only unusual).
3. This view assumes the possibility of sexual relations between angels and humans.
II PETER
Introduction
2 important questions/issues:A. Who wrote 2 Peter?B. What is its relationship to Jude?
Relationship to Jude
II Peter’s relation to Jude should be discussed first since it has a bearing on authorship and is often regarded as the major reason for considering the writing non-Petrine.
A. Repetition of verses B. Theories of explanation
1. Majority Opinion: most see 2 Peter using Jude2. Additional Questions
Authorship (authenticity)
A. Issues surrounding Petrine authorship1. Supporta. The apostle Peter is identified as the author in v.1.
b. The “second letter” suggests that I Peter is the first (3:1), shares some themes (role of OT prophecy: 1:19-21; cf. 1 Pet 1:10-12; Noah: 2:5; cf. 1 Pet 3:20f)
2. Difficultiesa. Canonicity question (in contrast to I Peter & Jude)
b. Language variance
c. Reference to Paul’s writings (3:16f), implies…i. The writings have been collectedii. They were in general circulationiii. They have been regarded as canonical
d. Unusual concern: II Peter is concerned with some who deny the 2nd coming.
e. Some theological differences
3. Resolutions?a. II Peter was eventually acceptedb. Greek: perhaps explicable on the basis of a different amanuensis
c. The denial of the second coming is also of some weight—but could it have been evidence of a newly emerging problem?
These are some genuine concerns, but categorical declarations either way should be treated with caution.
B. Issues surrounding pseudepigraphical sourcea. Pseudepigraphy was a standard literary convention: both approved & censured, depending on the purpose:- but the church rejected such
b. A large amount of Jewish inter-testamental literature was of this variety- but no letters
Date
Purpose & Content
A. PurposeII Peter deals with internal crisis as heresy threatened the church.
1. Identity of the false teachersa. Identity is actually unknownb. some form of early Gnosticism is suggested
2. Characteristics of the false teachersa. They are denying the parousia (2nd coming) (3:4, 9; cf. 2:3)
b. They are undermining the apostolic teaching & perverting scripture (1:16ff, 20f; 2:1; 3:16b)
c. Their lifestyle is similar to those in Jude (sexual immorality, 2:2, 10, 14, 18; drunkenness, gluttony, 2:13); turning “freedom” into moral license, 2:19a; enslaved to corruption, 2:19b); greed, 2:3, 14)
B. Content1. Exhortation to make their calling & election sure (1:3-11)a. everything we need for life & goodness, through our knowledge of him (great and precious promises):
i. to participate in the divine nature (cf. I Pet. 5:1 “sharer in the glory that is to be revealed;” or I John 1:3: koinonia with the Father & the Son)
ii. to escape corruption caused by evil desires
b. fruit of the Spirit as path to effectiveness and fruitfulness (vv.5-8; cf. Gal 5:22ff)
2. Encouragement in the form of Peter’s “last will & testament” (1:12-21)a. The parousia is no fable
b. The transfiguration assures us (vv. 16-18)
c. This also makes more sure the word of the prophets (vv. 19-21)
3. Warning against “false prophets” (2:1-22); an attack on their manner of lifea. Their corrosive heresies will destroy them and those who unwittingly follow them (vv.1-3)
b. God will both judge them and deliver us (vv.4-10a).
c. Their “freedom” is actually bondage to sin (vv.10b-22)
4. Attack on their arguments: the certainty of the parousia (3:1-18)
a. The false prophets’ arguments are mistaken (vv. 1-10)
b. Creation & the end
c. Be prepared (vv. 11-18), in contrast to the “false prophets”…
i. Live holy and godly livesii. Be wary of those who twist the scriptures
Comments
The danger we all face of forgetting the second coming
I-III JOHN
Introduction
The Johannine Tradition & 1, 2, 3 JohnJerome, Comm. Gal. 3.6: In his old age dear John was accustomed to say hardly anything more to his disciples than, “Children, love one another!”
His disciples and hearers became so annoyed at this endless repetition that they asked him why he was saying the same thing to them. He replied, “Because it is the Lord’s command, and it suffices if this be done.”
A. Debate & Opinion B. General Comparisons
1. Authorship
2. Character
a. I John, the most substantial by far, is hardly an epistle at alli. No introductory greeting or identification, no personal matters, no final greeting
ii. More like an ad-hoc homily
iii. Concerned that believers remain true to the faith
b. II & III John are quite brief & more epistolary
3. Contenta. I & II Johni. Deal with false teachers, apparently denying the incarnation (docetic Christology?)
a. In I John they have left the church (2:19).b. In II John they seem to masquerade as
itinerants (v.7).ii. Possibly the same false teachers in view
b. III JohnDeals with a matter of usurpation of leadership
I JOHN
Purpose & Content
A. ConcernsSeveral concerns all related around the one issue of false teachers
1. Teachinga. Faith issue: Held unorthodox views of Jesusi. Apparently denied Jesus was the Christ or Son of God (2:22; 5:1, 5)
ii. Rejected the incarnation (4:3; cf. 2 John 7)
iii. Perhaps also denied that Jesus’ death had atoning significance (4:10; 5:6-9).
John’s Response: Jesus is the Christ (1 John 5:1); Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (4:2); Jesus is the Son (2:23; 3:23; 5:11) or the Son of God (1:3, 7; 3:8, 23; 4:9, 10, 15)
b. Moral issue: Claimed a special relationship with God in which theyi. Walked in light & were without sin (1:6, 8, 10; 2:4, 6, 9)
ii. Had special knowledge (2:3, 11, 13ff)
John’s Response:He exposes them:
are “without sin” (1:8, 10) “have fellowship” with God but walk in darkness
(1:6) “know” God but are disobedient (2:4) are “in the light” but hate their fellow Christians
(2:9) “love God” but hate their brothers & sisters (4:20)
He affirms the following: to abide in God is to obey him (2:6) to sin willfully shows you have not known God (3:3-6; 5:18)
whoever acts sinfully belongs to the devil (3:7-10)we should love one another (3:11-12, 17-18) refusing to love your brother or sister means – you have not inherited eternal life (3:14-15)
God is love and to know him is to love (4:8-10)
Faulty Christology unethical conduct
c. Love issue Demonstrated a lack of love and of the characteristically Christian concern for the poor and needy (2:9, 11; 3:17-18; 4:20)
- suggests some form of “over-realized” Gnostic and elitist spirituality?
John’s response: Love as hallmark of believers recalls Jesus’
command in John 13:34; 15:12, 17; 17:20-23. Christ’s laying down his life for us (expression of
God’s tangible love): example for all believers to do likewise (3:16; 4:10).
Living in God’s love means knowing & obeying him (1:5-7).
d. Spirit issue: Placed an emphasis on “prophecy”, “every spirit”, “anointing”, etc. (suggests that the false teachers placed considerable store on “spiritual life”)
John’s Response: warns against false prophets: “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God” (4:1). There is the spirit of deceit antichrists – and a Spirit of Truth Christ & John & his disciples
to “test the spirit” “by their fruits you shall know them” assures believers that possessing the Spirit is characteristic of those who “live in God” (4:13)
e. Discernment issue
John’s Response: Since every believer has been anointed with the
Spirit (2:20, 27), thus spiritual discernment is the task of every person. No one can claim exclusive spiritual insight.
Individual inspiration must be weighed against truth revealed in Scripture & tradition (see 2:24).
Historic Christology is the cornerstone of all Christian belief.
2. Identitya. Apparently one-time members of the community(ies)
b. Recently defected, seeking to take others with them (2:6; 3:7; 4:1)
3. Crisis & ResponseTheir departure seemed to have occasioned a crisis of confidence and “John” writes to affirm & reassure his readers in their standing before God (2:12-14; cf. 2:20f, 24f, 27; 4:4).
B. Content1. Complicated Pattern
2. Basic Issuesa. Responding to some concerns over their fellowship with God (1:5—2:17)
b. Encouraging by way of contrast to the false teachers (2:18—3:3)
c. Revisiting relationship with God (3:4-10)i. Whoever is a child of God should seek to be pure even as God is pure.
ii. Do not continue to sin:(a) Know what is right.(b) Love your brother (and sister).
d. Emphasizing love for one another, as Christ in his incarnation loved us (3:11-24; cf. v.23 with John 13-15)
e. Linking the incarnation & brotherly love (4:1—5:12)
3. Concluding Remarks (5:13-21)a. Remarks made to assure that they have eternal life and access to God
b. Pray for life for those who sin
c. Sin is of the world, but the Son of God has given us understanding – to know that he is the “true God and eternal life” (5:20)
II JOHN
Setting
A. II John is specifically addressed to a local community (vv.1, 13).
B. The false teachers who have defected from one community are now seeking to infiltrate others (vv.7-11).
II John has similarities of content to I John, esp. vv. 5-7 (= I John 2:18-19; 4:1-2).
C. Since he intends to visit soon, John writes only a brief note.
Content
Again the integration of love & the incarnation is developed specifically in the context of the following concerns:
A. Reaffirms the command to walk in love (= I John 2:7-8).
B. Instructs to watch out for false teachers who deny the incarnation
C. Instructs that they have nothing to do with such people
Reflection: Does exclusiveness in the name of truth and non-association with those whose views defer from ours appropriate?
III JOHN
Features
A. Personal letterFrom the elder to Gaius about one Diotrephes
B. Ecclesiastical concern & developmental history C. Length
Occasion & Content
A. About Diotrephes1. Is seeking this position of authority “who likes to be first” in the church
2. Is asserting himself over against the elder (vv. 9-10)a. Opposes the elder’s authority
b. Rejects the elder’s letter to the church
c. Slanders the elder
3. Refuses to accept “approved” itinerants, forcing others to do the same, and expels those who don’t
B. About the letterDiotrephes (leader of a house church) unfriendly to John (Elder) rejected once John’s letter; slanders John; rejected missionaries
John (Elder) writes III John (warns of Diotrephes; commends Gaius for his hospitality & loyalty; to receive Demetrius, who is the bearer of the letter) Gaius (wealthy Christian, possibly from another church; friendly to John)
John writes to Gaius, who is apparently loyal1. Rejoicing in his faithfulness
2. Praising his hospitality
3. Commending an itinerant named Demetrius