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Biblical Theology of the New Testament
A Theology of James, Peter, and Jude: Living in the Light of the Coming King (6)
In this volume, Peter Davids offers a comprehensive study of the General or Catholic Epistles of James, 1-2 Peter, and Jude, which are often insufficiently covered in more general New Testament introductions, theologies, and surveys. Before discussing a theology of each of the four letters, Davids first deals with their common aspects their shared background in the Greco-Roman world and a similar Christology, view of the source of sin, and eschatology thus justifying their being treated together. In the chapters that follow, Davids embarks upon a theological reading of each letter informed by its social-rhetorical understanding what they meant in the context of their original cultural settings including: a survey of recent scholarship, a discussion of relevant introductory issues, a thematic commentary, a treatment of important theological themes, and a discussion of the place of the letter in the biblical canon and its contribution to New Testament theology.
The Biblical Theology of the New Testament (BTNT) series provides upper college and seminary-level textbooks for students of New Testament theology, interpretation, and exegesis. Pastors and discerning theology readers alike will also benefit from this series. Written at the highest level of academic excellence by recognized experts in the field, the BTNT series not only offers a comprehensive exploration of the theology of every book of the New Testament, including introductory issues and major themes, but also shows how each book relates to the broad picture of New Testament theology."
The Biblical Theology of the New Testament (BTNT) series provides upper college and seminary-level textbooks for students of New Testament theology, interpretation, and exegesis. Pastors and discerning theology readers alike will also benefit from this series. Written at the highest level of academic excellence by recognized experts in the field, the BTNT series not only offers a comprehensive exploration of the theology of every book of the New Testament, including introductory issues and major themes, but also shows how each book relates to the broad picture of New Testament theology."
- GenresTheology
352 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 2014
25 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 23, 2024
I was intrigued by this book because I realized recently how Pauline my New Testament theology is. By pure happenstance, the last 4-5 epistles I have focused on have all been Paul’s. Fortunately, I am about to read through John’s epistles with a group of guys. I saw this book as an opportunity to close the remaining gap.
Overall, the book was well structured and well communicated, making it quite easy to take away a lot of insights. The study of each book opened with context and background, followed by comments on Christology and eschatology, then a textual analysis, and finally a conclusion, which focused on broader theological implications.
The author is Catholic and I am not, so there were a few points at which our understanding of the texts differed, however, this was confused by the fact that protestants are generally more comfortable with Pauline theology. It was good for a child of the reformation, like myself, to hear a Catholic teach on James 2 rather than Piper teach on Ephesians 2.
Most of the new information in this book, however, was neither disagreeable nor even contentious, but purely interesting. Reading this book was an encouraging example of how those who approach theology from a slightly different angle can benefit one another if the communicator has some humility and reason, which Dr. Davids surely did.
Overall, the book was well structured and well communicated, making it quite easy to take away a lot of insights. The study of each book opened with context and background, followed by comments on Christology and eschatology, then a textual analysis, and finally a conclusion, which focused on broader theological implications.
The author is Catholic and I am not, so there were a few points at which our understanding of the texts differed, however, this was confused by the fact that protestants are generally more comfortable with Pauline theology. It was good for a child of the reformation, like myself, to hear a Catholic teach on James 2 rather than Piper teach on Ephesians 2.
Most of the new information in this book, however, was neither disagreeable nor even contentious, but purely interesting. Reading this book was an encouraging example of how those who approach theology from a slightly different angle can benefit one another if the communicator has some humility and reason, which Dr. Davids surely did.
August 21, 2024
Idk why we even bother...
February 12, 2024
Peter Davids is such a great teacher. He brings a great deal of meaning from these short letters.
Davids seems to have devoted the corpus of his work to studying, writing about and teaching the seemingly lesser loved General Epistles. He, though, demonstrates rather easily how they are just as important in their theology, christology and eschatology the Pauline Letters.
Davids seems to have devoted the corpus of his work to studying, writing about and teaching the seemingly lesser loved General Epistles. He, though, demonstrates rather easily how they are just as important in their theology, christology and eschatology the Pauline Letters.
August 19, 2017
Here’s another volume in the impressive Biblical Theology of the New Testament (BTNT) series by Zondervan that will include eight volumes when complete. This volume addresses between its covers James, Peter, and Jude. As you can imagine, this book covers the least addressed elements of theology in the New Testament. Peter Davids, the author, has spent his career in this portion of Scripture including two major exegetical commentaries on James and First Peter. He is the perfect author to tackle this subject.
Chapter 1 serves as an introduction that traces out common themes and issues among these New Testament epistles. He argues that the Greco-Roman background and educated writing style are true for each of these letters. Further, he sees a monotheistic outlook with a strong Christology. To his mind, all four letters put a strong emphasis on the the source of sin (desire or lust).
The other four chapters address each of these four letters individually. Issues commonly found in the introduction of an exegetical commentary are studied in each case, but its emphasis on theology is brought out in the latter part of every chapter. Mr. Davids wrote as one who greatly admired these four letters. He did agree with a few conclusions that I could not, particularly in the area of sources, but he has written a scholarly, predominantly conservative work.
Each chapter also gives an outline followed by a literary – theological reading of the book. I felt he covered well where commentary and theology meet. His tracing of the important theological themes in each of the letters was spot on in my opinion. As an added bonus, the book is attractive, well written, and contains a few charts where appropriate. Coming in at 300 pages, the author manages to neither dodge any important issue, nor become so prolix that he wearies the reader.
In my judgment, this book holds up well with the other fine volumes already released in this series. If you are beginning a study of James, Peter, or Jude, put this book in the must-buy category.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Chapter 1 serves as an introduction that traces out common themes and issues among these New Testament epistles. He argues that the Greco-Roman background and educated writing style are true for each of these letters. Further, he sees a monotheistic outlook with a strong Christology. To his mind, all four letters put a strong emphasis on the the source of sin (desire or lust).
The other four chapters address each of these four letters individually. Issues commonly found in the introduction of an exegetical commentary are studied in each case, but its emphasis on theology is brought out in the latter part of every chapter. Mr. Davids wrote as one who greatly admired these four letters. He did agree with a few conclusions that I could not, particularly in the area of sources, but he has written a scholarly, predominantly conservative work.
Each chapter also gives an outline followed by a literary – theological reading of the book. I felt he covered well where commentary and theology meet. His tracing of the important theological themes in each of the letters was spot on in my opinion. As an added bonus, the book is attractive, well written, and contains a few charts where appropriate. Coming in at 300 pages, the author manages to neither dodge any important issue, nor become so prolix that he wearies the reader.
In my judgment, this book holds up well with the other fine volumes already released in this series. If you are beginning a study of James, Peter, or Jude, put this book in the must-buy category.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
October 1, 2024
This work is a fair treatment of both the Paulian works juxtaposition against James, I and II Peter and Jude. The big take away for me is very anti-reformation, mainly grace that is not reinforced with works will lead you to being cast out. That James, Jesus brother, Peter, The Rock on which the church will be built, and Jude, James younger brother, all of which had direct contact with Jesus are better authorities on what Jesus wanted for His kingdom. Paul was told to proselytize the gentiles and because of this and the council of Nicea that authorized more of his work, we have a Paulian church. When we should have a more Christ based Church. One with less rule following, misinterpretation of Paul, and more Gospel following that would mean more grace, but also more compassion and understanding even of those who are others, Jude's words. Those who are immoral, who gloat in their grace, who use grace to subject other people and force them into inferior positions. A really excellent work and slightly better than other works I've read on I and II Peter.
July 30, 2015
Read my whole review here: https://spoiledmilks.wordpress.com/20...
Chapter 1 is the introductory chapter covering common issues and themes (Greco-Roman background, theology, Christology, sin and its source, and eschatology) between the letters . Along with this we have to deal with the issues of implied authorship and pseudonymity.
Chapters 2-5 cover recent scholarship of each book, some introductory issues (date, authorship, historical situation, false teachers, literary structure, outline, etc).
The rhetorical commentary looks at how the letter is divided into different sections that complements the whole.
Important Theological Themes (ITT) which deals with the themes of the book (e.g., the nature of God, Jesus, the community, eschatology, revelation, cosmology, salvation, divine messengers, ethics, etc).
The chapters end with the Canonical Contribution to show what each letter brings to the whole Bible. What aspects of theology do we gain from these four letters? What more do we learn about our God?
When you’re teaching or preaching on a book, it’s hard to find a good place to go that gives you good, deep, holistic information in a short span of time. An annoying aspect of preaching is getting to the end of 1 Peter and realizing that your message on The Living Hope in 1 Peter 1 would have been ‘better’ if you had known how 1 Peter 5 fit into the context. While you won’t be able to study an entire book of the Bible and be finished with your sermon preparation in a week, having a volume that summarizes the message and theology of the Catholic Epistles certainly helps one get a firm grasp on the letters.
Despite the above section, I don’t think this volume is up to par with the Luke and John volumes. While the ITT section is helpful, I thought it was lacking. Davids gives it two long paragraphs on the Theology of Healing in James and despite saying that “James gives us the most explicit teaching about healing in the New Testament,” Davids doesn’t give us much to read about James’ idea of healing and the theology surrounding it in (the same goes with his Theology of Suffering section).
If you are a teacher or a pastor who is going to be going through these four letters, this volume is for you. Regardless of some of the spoiled comments above, those issues are only minor. If I taught on a class on these general epistles I would use this book. Heavily. And I would consider getting Davids’ commentaries too. In fact, I’ll be reviewing his 2 Peter & Jude commentary in the PNTC series in a while, and I look forward to reading it. Despite a few questionable comments Davids has, he’s been studying these letters now for 40 some-odd years. You shouldn’t pass that up.
[Special thanks to Emily, Sarah, and Zondervan for allowing me to review this book! I was not obligated to provide a positive review in exchange for this book.]
Chapter 1 is the introductory chapter covering common issues and themes (Greco-Roman background, theology, Christology, sin and its source, and eschatology) between the letters . Along with this we have to deal with the issues of implied authorship and pseudonymity.
Chapters 2-5 cover recent scholarship of each book, some introductory issues (date, authorship, historical situation, false teachers, literary structure, outline, etc).
The rhetorical commentary looks at how the letter is divided into different sections that complements the whole.
Important Theological Themes (ITT) which deals with the themes of the book (e.g., the nature of God, Jesus, the community, eschatology, revelation, cosmology, salvation, divine messengers, ethics, etc).
The chapters end with the Canonical Contribution to show what each letter brings to the whole Bible. What aspects of theology do we gain from these four letters? What more do we learn about our God?
When you’re teaching or preaching on a book, it’s hard to find a good place to go that gives you good, deep, holistic information in a short span of time. An annoying aspect of preaching is getting to the end of 1 Peter and realizing that your message on The Living Hope in 1 Peter 1 would have been ‘better’ if you had known how 1 Peter 5 fit into the context. While you won’t be able to study an entire book of the Bible and be finished with your sermon preparation in a week, having a volume that summarizes the message and theology of the Catholic Epistles certainly helps one get a firm grasp on the letters.
Despite the above section, I don’t think this volume is up to par with the Luke and John volumes. While the ITT section is helpful, I thought it was lacking. Davids gives it two long paragraphs on the Theology of Healing in James and despite saying that “James gives us the most explicit teaching about healing in the New Testament,” Davids doesn’t give us much to read about James’ idea of healing and the theology surrounding it in (the same goes with his Theology of Suffering section).
If you are a teacher or a pastor who is going to be going through these four letters, this volume is for you. Regardless of some of the spoiled comments above, those issues are only minor. If I taught on a class on these general epistles I would use this book. Heavily. And I would consider getting Davids’ commentaries too. In fact, I’ll be reviewing his 2 Peter & Jude commentary in the PNTC series in a while, and I look forward to reading it. Despite a few questionable comments Davids has, he’s been studying these letters now for 40 some-odd years. You shouldn’t pass that up.
[Special thanks to Emily, Sarah, and Zondervan for allowing me to review this book! I was not obligated to provide a positive review in exchange for this book.]
January 28, 2018
Very helpful analysis of the material
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews