Letters for the Church: Reading James, 1-2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude as Canon

by Darian R. Lockett

Biblical Foundations Book Awards Finalist The Catholic Epistles often get short shrift. Tucked into a few pages near the back of our Bibles, these books are sometimes referred to as the "non-Pauline epistles" or "concluding letters," maybe getting lumped together with Hebrews and Revelation. Yet these letters, Darian Lockett argues, are treasures hidden in plain sight, and it's time to give them the attention they deserve. In Letters for the Church , Lockett reveals how the Catholic Epistles provide a unique window into early Christian theology and practice. Based on evidence from the early church, he contends that the seven letters of James, 1–2 Peter, 1–3 John, and Jude were accepted into the canon as a collection and should be read together. Here Lockett introduces the context and content of the Catholic Epistles while emphasizing how all seven letters are connected. Each chapter outlines the author, audience, and genre of one of the epistles, traces its flow of thought, and explores shared themes with the other Catholic Epistles. The early church valued the Catholic Epistles for multiple they defend orthodox faith and morals against the challenges of heretics, make clear that Christianity combines belief with action, and round out the New Testament witness to Christian faith and life. By introducing the coherent vision of these seven epistles, Letters for the Church helps us rediscover these riches.

Genres: Christian, Theology

248 pages, Paperback

Published March 9, 2021

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: A study of the catholic epistles, arguing that they ought be read together and exploring their shared themes and particular emphases.

The books between Hebrews and Revelation, known as the catholic epistles, often seem to get less attention, except perhaps for James, 1 Peter, and 1 John. There were questions early on about the canonicity of some of the books. In contemporary scholarship, books on the gospels and Pauline subjects seem to be in the preponderance.

Darian R. Lockett contends that not only were these books accepted into the canon as a collection but that they ought be read as a collection that concern common themes of concern to all the churches of the day–hence “catholic.” He gives a brief history of the early church’s discussion about affirming these books as part of the canon and talks about their importance as scripture, as instruction on resisting false teaching inside and outside the church, and for their emphasis on practiced faith.

Although a scholarly work, offering bibliographies for further reading and “going deeper” sidebars, Lockett has designed the book for reading through the catholic epistles in one’s study. A chapter is offered on each of the epistles, except for a combined chapter on 2 and 3 John. Each chapter includes discussion of authorship, audience, setting, and the occasion for the letter, the structure and outline of the letter and then a section by section commentary on the text, with further reading suggestions for each letter at the end of the chapter. While reviewing the alternatives in terms of authorship, Lockett seems to prefer the traditionally attributed authors (including Peter for 2 Peter). He does make an interesting case for 2 Peter as testamentary literature based on 2 Peter 1:12-15, comparing it to parallels. Regarding James, he offers a “going deeper” discussion on justification, comparing James and Paul in terms of their use of “righteousness.” He addresses the shared material in 2 Peter and Jude, believing that 2 Peter draws this from Jude but notes addresses different challenges–false teachers inside the Christian community in 2 Peter as opposed to the intruders from outside in Jude.

The commentary is well-suited for reading along with the text, dealing with key textual issues without becoming technical and tracing significant arguments and themes. Both in discussions of each letter and in a concluding chapter, Lockett traces recurring themes in the catholic epistles, the major of which are:

Love for one another
Enduring trial
Allegiance to God and the world incompatible to each other
Faith and works
Guarding against false teaching

I have studied these books individually but had never considered studying them as a canonical unit. Lockett makes a strong case for doing so and provides a great resource for those interested in making such a study. As I read along in the biblical text, his argument rang true–I had never observed the connections apart from the shared content in 2 Peter and Jude. Lockett’s book serves as a great introduction to reading this less familiar part of the New Testament.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Matt Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, concise primer to the General Epistles of the New Testament. The main thrust is the cohesion that exists between the letters despite their being written by different men to different audiences. Yet, the author makes a strong argument that they ought to be read and interpreted together due to their focal points throughout.

A great point is made by the author that “contending for the faith” is not merely a defensive approach to one’s walk with Christ but, also, an “offensive” maneuver as we try to look like Jesus in this fallen world.

I would highly recommend these book.

[George Kogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author argues that because of the successive connections between each of the letters, and the common themes traced through the letters of James, Peter, John and Jude, these letters should be read together as a coherent collection. This is a helpful book and a nice resource for preachers on the least explored letters for the church, otherwise known as the Catholic Epistles.

[Bob Wolniak · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to the general epistles, James through Jude, that takes seriously unifying themes that tie them together. Most especially elements of enduring trial, the love command, false teaching, faith and works, and God vs. the world.

[Mitchell Ehrlich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t read this all the way through, just skimmed it for homework. Lockett makes an interesting argument but I wish he had more reasons and gave more reasons as to why Hebrews and Revelation should not be included in the Catholic Epistles.