Paper Example on Catholic Epistles

Introduction

Most Christians are not familiar with the Letters of Peter, James, and Jude which are also called the Catholic Epistles. The apostles talk about several important matters such as faith and works, holiness, use of the tongue, mortal and venial sin, the coming of the antichrist (Bauckham, 1988). Although these books are short, they are anonymously important because they help in the understanding of the early Christianity especially early Jewish Christianity.

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1 & 2 Peter

I peter teaches about holy living as it is written by Apostle Peter was a witness of the suffering of Jesus Christ. Unlike other letters in the New Testament that are addressed to an individual or local church, 1 Peter is sent for a larger group. To live a holy life, believers should overcome four challenges (1 Peter 1:13-2:10). First, Christians must uphold holiness in the light of the oncoming return of Jesus, in the light of redemption by a glorious Savior, and in the light of the holy character of God. Second, the believers should purify themselves by obeying the word of God and have fervent love for each other. Believers have been purified through faith in Christ for they have been born again (Donelson, 2008). Third, believers should get rid of all forms of deceit, malice, envy, slander, and hypocrisy (1 Peter 2:1-3). This simply means that believers should lay aside their previous life of sin. Fourth, believers are living stones in the spiritual household. They are chosen by God to offer sacrifices as priests by Christ, the living Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:4-5). Peter also teaches the conducted of a true believer. They should refrain from bodily desires; submit to their masters, the government and husbands (Perkins, 2012). 2 Peter main themes are false prophets and their destruction. He warns that false prophets will swift the truth and introduce destructive heresies to the people (Donelson, 2008).

James

James focuses on the idea that faith and works are inseparable. In 1 James 2:26 He states "like the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead". According to James' letter the faith of Jesus was accompanied by work and therefore people should demonstrate faith as work to achieve salvation (Perkins, 2012). He gives the moments of the life of Abraham to describe the relationship between faith and works. According to James faith is depicted by the lives of believers and actions. For instance, he was ready to offer his son, Isaac. James says "Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith in my works"(James 2:21-25). James argues the believers to live by good works that grow out of a life of faith. James also teaches about the sense of the tongue in three ways. First, he describes the tongue as a bit used to make a horse obey (Perkins, 2012). Second, it is like a small rubber that controls the ship. Third, the tongue is like a small fire that ignites a large forest fire (James 3:6).

Jude

Jude's major themes include apostasy and false teachers. He warns against false leaders and teachers who undermine other believers and lead them astray. These false teachers also discard the lordship of Jesus. These leaders and the people who follow them will be destroyed. God will punish them for failing to stand by the truth. Jude says that believers should avoid these leaders who distort the Bible to suit their own purposes (Donelson, 2008). Genuine believers will staunchly depict Christ in their conduct and words. Jude also cautions against the turning away from Christ since God reprimands rebellion. Christians should remain committed to Christ because they are vulnerable to apostasy. Believers should avoid any false training that distracts them from the true God's Word.

Response and Criticism

The authors of Peter, James, and Jude accomplished their objectives because they did not target a specific congregation. The books were aimed to address different problems that were facing the Christians after the resurrection of Jesus. James' letter arrived when there was a hot argument over the importance of faith and works in Christian belief and practice. James accomplished his objective because he explained that faith without works is dead. People should be committed to believing the word of God but also do good deeds such as helping the poor. He taught that believers should obey the word of God just like Abraham who was ready to sacrifice his son. However, James work has been criticized that it did not teach Christ properly. James did not teach the truth of salvation because he believed that God loves the poor more than the rich. James's letter applies to the current church since he emphasized that Christianity is not defined by faith alone but also in moral conduct.

1 and 2 Peter was written during the time when Christians were facing prosecution and hostility. His letters are full of comfort, encouragement, and reassurance. He argues believers remain holy so that all accusations would appear as lies. 2 Peter teaches that saving if not sufficient because believers have to grow spiritually. Jude's objective was to motivate Christians and warn them against the dangers of false leaders. Christians must be aware of false teaching who preach that there is no God. Jude cautions against living a nominal Christian life because there are teachers who preach out of heresy as though it were true.

References

Bauckham, R. J. (1988). "James, 1 and 2 Peter, Jude." In D. A. Carson and H. G. M. Williamson, eds., It Is Written: Scripture Citing Scripture. Essays in Honour of Barnabas Lindars. Cambridge University Press, 303-317.

Perkins, P. (2012). First and Second Peter, James, and Jude. Westminster John Knox Press.Donelson, L. R. (2008). I & II Peter and Jude (NTL). Westminster John Knox, 2010. Green, Gene L. Jude & 2 Peter (BECNT). Baker press.