Resurrection Life in a World of Suffering: 1 Peter

by D.A. Carson (Contributor), Kathleen B. Nielson (Editor), Nancy Guthrie (Contributor)

“He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

The book of 1 Peter offers a gospel perspective on our short lives. Originally written to Christians facing intense suffering, Peter’s message is one of hope and grace—all centered on the resurrected Christ. Featuring contributions from six popular Bible teachers, this volume will help you better understand the hope-filled message of the book of 1 Peter and experience the resurrection life Jesus offers us today.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Devotional

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2018

About the author

Donald A. Carson is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He has been at Trinity since 1978. Carson came to Trinity from the faculty of Northwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he also served for two years as academic dean. He has served as assistant pastor and pastor and has done itinerant ministry in Canada and the United Kingdom. Carson received the Bachelor of Science in chemistry from McGill University, the Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Seminary in Toronto, and the Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from the University of Cambridge. Carson is an active guest lecturer in academic and church settings around the world. He has written or edited about sixty books. He is a founding member and currently president of The Gospel Coalition. Carson and his wife, Joy, reside in Libertyville, Illinois. They have two adult children.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Bridcut · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a freebie and I appreciated it. It's a book that's been cobbled together by 8 different authors based mainly on several different talks on 1 Peter that were delivered to a kind of lay Bible conference but despite that it actually flows pretty well Each writer explains how they approached the task of speaking on the section they'd been given which some will find helpful and some less so.

[Cassidy Purdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed hearing from different people as they worked through 1 Peter. I also enjoyed learning more about their process of teaching it. I am almost finished memorizing 1 Peter and so I found this book helpful as I mediate on the text.

[Robin Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transcriptions of the talks from TGCW16 on I Peter. Great resource book.
Read a few years ago, but pulled out to use as a resource as we teach I Peter this fall on campus.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a short (<200 page) transcript of The Gospel Coalition’s 2016 Women’s Conference. I looked up the conference on YouTube and listened while reading. Jen Wilkin's video has a funny story about a breast feeding mother and a Uber driver that isn't in the book.

The book opens up with an introduction from Juan Sanches talking about the apostle’s use of scripture in 1 Peter. Kathleen Nielson covers chapter 1:1-12 and being born again to a living hope as elect exiles. Jen Wilkin covers 1:13-2:3 and living resurrection life. Carrie Sandom reminds us who we are in Jesus, the living cornerstone, by covering 2:4-10. Mary Willson covers 2:11-3:12 and resisting evil and do good in all circles of life. D.A. Carson covers 3:13-4:19 on sharing Christ’s sufferings and showing His glory. The final chapter is by John Piper on 5:1-14. Things are wrapped up with an interview between Nancy Guthrie and John Piper discussing how to teach 1 Peter.

While each person’s teaching style is different, the book flows together smoothly. This is a good book to use while studying 1 Peter. At the end of each chapter there's a reflection and some questions, followed by a "Think Like an Expositor" section. 

*I received a free e-book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

[Dan Hickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Piper’s commentary on chapter 5 is a great overview of the entire letter. Also, I really liked the transcript of Nancy Guthrie’s interview of Piper, where she asked about how to teach 1 Peter in different settings, including his seminary class. His focus on asking good questions really challenged me.

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Crossway first announced the release of "Resurrection Life in a World of Suffering", I knew that I wanted to read it.  I'm grateful to have received a review copy from Crossway, for the purpose of reading and reviewing.

Suffering, the role it plays in the world and the responsibility that we, as Christ-followers, have in sharing hope in the face of such unthinkable and unfathomable suffering, is something that has always baffled me.  I - as most every person on the face of this planet - have experienced intense suffering.  Suffering and grief have, at times, led me to doubting the very existence of God.  But suffering and grief, at other times, have drilled home the truth to my soul, that we can not find hope apart from God's sovereignty.  He is our only hope.  But how do we reconcile the suffering of innocent people with the hope we claim to find in the resurrection narrative?

Most often, when suffering slams into my world or into the world of someone that I care for, I run straight for the Psalms - both those of comfort...and, those of lament.  The psalmists seem to have words, when I have none - words that express the pain and the "reaching" for answers and, at times, the unsettled acceptance that often we will not know the "Why?" behind what we read, hear or experience - apart from the truth that God sees, knows, and acts.

But it wasn't until I attended The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in 2016 where, among thousand of women, we dug into the words found in 1 Peter, that I considered this book as another resource when mired in suffering.  The interesting difference, is that the Psalms were written looking toward the coming of Christ and his death and resurrection.  1 Peter was written after those events - and, in the wake of persecution.

This book was borne out of that conference.  Five different authors and preachers were assigned a portion of 1 Peter, to expound upon and explain to readers.  I particularly liked that style - each person approached his or her passage with their own unique mannerisms and insights - that made for fascinating reading.  But even with the differences, each writer stayed straight-arrow-true to scripture, in their teaching and interpretation.  No one strayed from what was found among the words of 1st Peter.  That is always a very reassuring thing to find, in Bible Studies...and sadly, sometimes, a rarity as well.

At the end of each chapter, the author of that chapter "answered" a few questions about how they personally worked through the passage as they studied and prepared to write.  They gave suggestions for those who may someday teach on that passage - a very helpful feature.  A couple of times, the writers admitted that they truly struggled through a section - and, too, was very reassuring to hear:  if these very experienced, theologically trained authors, teachers and preachers struggle at times with understanding a portion of scripture - then I shouldn't let my struggles prevent me from continuing to study faithfully.

I think this volume is gold, for anyone who looks at or experiences suffering, and finds it bewildering and overwhelming.  It is a great resource for those who minister to people in their circles who are suffering - not so those who minister can give "easy" answers, but to solidify themselves in the hope that is found in the resurrection life, so that they may be better able to point all who suffer to the only one who is the source of that hope.

But I would also say that it is a great resource for anyone studying scripture - whether it is 1 Peter, or another passage.  Watching/reading each writer work their way through their assigned passage, was tremendously encouraging to me in my own biblical studies.  Well worth the time to read, and something I will return to again.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This relatively brief book is essentially the reproduction of messages spoken at the 2016 Gospel Coalition Women’s Conference. The speakers/authors were/are Kathleen Nielson, Jen Wilkin, Carrie Sandom, Mary Willson, D.A. Carson, and John Piper. That said, you can find the audio of those plenary sessions here. You may be interested in one, or the other, or both. For the sake of simplicity, I’ll refer in my review only to the book.

The topic of the book is Peter’s first epistle, and the authors provided an excellent, in-depth exposition of the Holy Spirit’s teaching through Peter on the purpose and value of suffering.

In the introduction, Juan Sanchez provided an extremely thorough explanation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was rather long for an introduction for my tastes. Since it detailed the gospel so clearly, however, I’d prefer it be long and accurate, rather than short and unhelpful.

In chapter 1, “Born Again to a Living Hope”, Kathleen Nielson explains 1Pet 1:1-12 to help readers understand who we are in God’s eyes, that it is He who gives us our Identities.

In chapter 2, “Living Resurrection Life”, Jen Wilkin exposits 1Pet 1:13-2:3, reminding Christians in suffering to hope fully, be holy, fear rightly, and love earnestly.

In chapter 3, “Remember Who You Are”, Carrie Sandom digs into 1Pet 2:4-10 to remind us that Christians are God’s holy people, set apart for His glory, to resist evil and do good in Christ Jesus.

In chapter 4, “Following Jesus Far From Home”, Mary Willson launches out from 1Pet 2:11-3:12 to remind believers of our status that while we are seemingly far from home, we are never far from God. Therefore, we have a distinct way of life that ought to follow from our identity in Christ.

In chapter 5, “Sharing Christ’s Sufferings, Showing His Glory”, D.A. Carson encourages readers through 1Pet 3:13-4:19 that just as Noah and his family were saved through water (not from water), so too, we must endure sufferings as opportunities to show the glory of God.

In chapter 6, “A Shepherd and a Lion”, John Piper teaches from 1Pet 5:1-14 that this Christian life of suffering, reflecting the glory of God, and pressing on to resist the roaring lion will never make sense to the world’s sensibilities.

I was most helped by this last chapter, wherein John Piper asked (and helped answer) the question, “Is the Devil really in charge of suffering?” Piper lays out clearly that although the Devil roars in fury against God’s people, he does so only because he’s given permission to do so by our sovereign God. If all suffering and testing is permitted/intended by God to refine His people like the flames refine gold, so too, the Devil roars violently because he knows that his roaring is only proving to refine the people of God…the very people he hates and seeks to destroy! I find great hope and joy in knowing that God is sovereign, even over my suffering and trials.

RATING: I give this book 5 stars, as it is gospel-driven and useful for teaching and encouragement.

DISCLAIMER: I received this book free of charge from Crossway in exchange for my unbiased review of it. All opinions are mine, and I was not required to provide a positive review.

[J. Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

“To the elect exiles of the Dispersion,” with these words Peter begins his first letter. Not to Christians who are secure at home, to those who are free from suffering, but to exiles dispersed throughout the known world. This is the situation all Christians find themselves in, and so 1 Peter is a timely book. It speaks a message every Christian needs to hear and take to heart. Resurrection Life in World of Suffering presents a series of exposition first delivered at the TGC 2016 women’s conference; these expositions of 1 Peter help believers today to catch the hope that resurrection life offers to us who suffer in exile.
Though originally written for and delivered to women, the book helpfully relates the hope Peter proffers in a way that both men and women will benefit from. The addition of a conversation with John Piper on teaching 1 Peter as an appendix and a set of questions and personal reflections from the authors at the end of each chapter make this volume particularly valuable for those looking to teach 1 Peter, particularly for lay leaders.
Each of the expositions is helpful; I found myself thoroughly encouraged as I read Peter’s message expounded and illustrated for our contemporary context. In particular, Juan Sanchez’s introduction will serve as a valuable introductory level guide to understanding 1 Peter and reading the New Testament in general. I can see his discussion of the Old Testament in 1 Peter being especially helpful to those who have not been exposed to the topic before. I heartily commend this volume as an expositional commentary on 1 Peter and a helpful guide for those who are looking to teach 1 Peter but are not quite ready to tackle one of the larger technical commentaries.

I was provided with a review copy of this book.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a transcript of a series of talks on 1 Peter given at the June 2016 Gospel Coalition 3rd National Women's Conference. The speakers worked together to provide a cohesive commentary/study of 1 Peter. Their styles varied but the focus was consistent.

Each took a chunk of 1 Peter and talked about what was being communicated by Peter, provided background context, and showed how Peter connected his teachings to Old Testament passages. There were discussion questions at the end of each chapter along with an interview with that speaker on how they had developed their talk. The book was more academic in tone, though usually easy enough to understand. There's just not much filler (which I appreciate). Overall, I'd recommend this book.

Juan Sanchez's introduction provided an overview of 1 Peter. Kathleen Nielson talked on 1 Peter 1:1-12. Jen Wilkin talked on 1 Peter 1:13-2:3. Carrie Sandom talked on 1 Peter 2:4-10. Mary Willson talked on 1 Peter 2:11-3:12. D.A. Carson talked on 1 Peter 3:13-4:19. John Piper talked on 1 Peter 5:1-14.

I received an ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Danielle Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book in this series that I hold dear! Clear and helpful expositions on 1 Peter. The most memorable chapter for me was "Following Christ Far from Home" by Mary Willson, which was full of solid comfort and easy for a non-theologian like me to understand. I also appreciated DA Carson's admonition that suffering does not necessarily make one holy, Christ-like response to suffering does. A book headier than the average Christian living book, but less technical than the average theology book. I will definitely be re-reading because the book is dense with wisdom. It's evident that the speakers faithfully pored over their verses, so there is a lot of good to still be mined from this book. Side note, one reason I love this series is that it gives so many godly, well-learned women a platform to teach, but I simultaneously love that significantly recognized/faithful/studious men also contribute to it, showing that they also value women being deeply rooted in the Word.

[Julie Biles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, edited by D. A. Carson and Kathleen Nielson is the transcrption of a series of talks on I Peter that were given at the June 2016 Gospel Coalition 3rd National Women's Conference. This compilation provides a cohesive commentary which serves as an excellent companion in the study of 1 Peter. The varied teaching styles create such a beautifully broad perspective while the focus remains consistent throughout.

Various themes such as: suffering in exile, obeying in love, serving in humility are well-developed as the speakers teach through their given passage from I Peter in sequence. They build one upon the other, layer on layer, all in harmony. Compiled into one volume and presented together, the editors have created a lovely patchwork of biblical teaching styles.

Kathleen Nielson's preface and Juan Sanchez's introduction could stand alone in their solid teaching and overview of the book of I Peter.

After working through each chapter, the reader is given questions for reflection and prayer. Each contributor explains how they thought like an expositor in their prepartion to teach their given passage. This format lends itself nicely for the use in a group book study.

The concluding chapter is the transcript of Nancy Guthrie's interview with John Piper, "Help Me Teach I Peter". The audio can also be found on her podcast. I found it so helpful as I work through this challenging epistle.

[Glenda Light · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as a companion to Jen Wilkin’s study of 1 Peter. It provided good commentary and insights , especially in to some of the more difficult passages of this letter. As other reviewers have noted, it is transcript from talks given at a conference, so each chapter is a different author and voice. This did not distract from the usefulness of the book. It goes through chapter by chapter and often verse by verse, so is very useful for an inductive style study of 1 Peter.

[April Corlew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent study on I Peter and also a great tool to guide in how to lead a study on I Peter. I value the input of all the authors of each chapt, enjoying their styles and their wisdom! I highly recommend this especially for those who are leading others in a Bible study setting.

[Kim Sutphen · Rating 5 out of 5]

highly recommend this book for a study of 1 Peter.