General Epistles (NT)

In this volume, Thomas Lea discusses the books of Hebrews and James using an eight-step approach through verse-by-verse commentary, contemporary illustrations, issues for discussion, and a conclusion to each section. This commentary is based on the New International Version.

This powerful reference tool is a book-by-book, chapter-by-chapter, detailed look at the historical, cultural, and economic background of the Gospel of John, and Hebrews to Revelation. Much more than simply theology or a Word study, The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary opens a window to transport the reader back into the setting of the New Testament to see, touch, and hear as much of the world of that time as possible. the better acquainted you become with the background of the New Testament, the better you’ll be able to avoid misunderstanding the allusions and references that run throughout the writings of the New Testament. Historical events, social customs, religious beliefs, figures of speech, turns of phrase, and institutions all contribute to how the Bible’s first readers would have understood it. This volume treats John, Hebrews, James, 1, 2 Peter, Jude, and Revelation.

Brimming with lavish, full-color photos and graphics, the Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary walks you verse by verse through all the books of the New Testament. It’s like slipping on a set of glasses that lets you read the Bible through the eyes of a first-century reader! Discoveries await you that will snap the world of the New Testament into gripping immediacy. Things that seem mystifying, puzzling, or obscure will take on tremendous meaning when you view them in their ancient context. You’ll deepen your understanding of the teachings of Jesus. You’ll discover the close, sometimes startling interplay between God’s kingdom and the practical affairs of the church. Best of all, you’ll gain a deepened awareness of the Bible’s relevance for your life.

Written in a clear, engaging style, this beautiful set provides a new and accessible approach that more technical expository and exegetical commentaries don’t offer. It features:

• Commentary based on relevant papyri, inscriptions, archaeological discoveries, and studies of Judaism, Roman culture, Hellenism, and other features of the world of the New Testament
• Hundreds of full-color photographs, color illustrations, and line drawings
• Copious maps, charts, and timelines
• Sidebar articles and insights
• “Reflections” on the Bible’s relevance for 21st-century living

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Volume 34: James, 1 & 2 Peter & Jude THE COMMENTARY FOR PREACHERS! For those on the firing line – in pulpits, classes, Bible study programs, and fellowships there is a distinctly different kind of commentary. The Preachers Commentary Series combines rich resources of historical setting and textual interpretation with spiritual insights and contemporary illustrations specifically designed for communicators. The result is a resource by preachers/teachers for preachers/teachers. It is complete with outlines section by section expositions, illustrations and applications This authoritative commentary provides the ultimate resource for sermon and lesson preparations. General editor Lloyd J. Ogilvie brings together a team of skilled and exceptional communicators blending sound scholarship with life related instructions. Their insights can guide you through every chapter and book of the Bible. And their organization and presentation of the material can help you share God’s Word more effectively with others.

Features include:

• Paragraph by paragraph exposition
• Fresh insights into Scripture
• Contemporary application
• Rich outlines and illustrations
• Innovative ideas for communicating
• God’s Word with vigor and vitality
• 262 page softcover from Thomas Nelson

Dr. Paul A. Cedar is currently Chairman of the Mission America Coalition and Chairman of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization. He also serves on the advisory boards of several ministries. He was president of the Evangelical Free Church of America, pastored several churches, and worked with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He serves as adjunct and visiting professor at several theological seminaries, and has authored eight books. He and his wife, Jeannie, have three children.

Let the wisdom of the early church inform your reading of Scripture! This helpful commentary parallels the RSV text with spiritual and intellectual insights from the early church fathers. Patristic commentators such as Eusebius, Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Origen bring rhetorical power and consensual exegesis to critical issues of Christian faith and practice, such as confronting heresies and persecution. 350 pages, hardcover from InterVarsity.

First and Second Peter, James, and Jude have existed on the edges of the canon throughout the centuries. In this volume, Pheme Perkins casts light on these often neglected writings, ably demonstrating that they have, in fact, much to offer to today’s readers. The epistles are more than a compilation of traditional material. They are concerned with very specific and concrete issues facing the early Christian communities and offer a counterpoint as how to conduct oneself with others, how to live in a non-Christian world, and how to “shepherd the flock of God,” as well as with theological issues such as the early Christian understanding of God, the relationship between faith and works, prayer, and suffering.

The College Press NIV Commentary has been designed for the serious student as well as the growing Christian. Volumes contain the following features; Biblically Sound Exegesis;Objective Approach;New International Version ;Practical footnotes;Fresh Style and Study Format;Concise Introductions;Key Greek Word Translation and Clear Exposition These books hold special meaning to the bible. they were written by Jesus’ brothers! Both books contain the building blocks of “true” faith. [TOP]

The series continues – a series that answers the questions students of the Bible ask most. An eight-step approach leads the reader from the introduction with contemporary illustrations, through verse-by-verse commentary, to a conclusion and life application. “Deeper Discoveries” help the reader understand the most important words, phrases, and teaching of each chapter. A teaching outline helps the reader to internalize what has been read, organize its message, and prepare to share it with others. The “Final Issues for Discussion” section brings closure to the reader’s study. A closing prayer personalizes the study and commits the reader to live out the truths studied. New Internatioanal Version.

The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries are evangelical, scholarly treatments of the Scriptures. This work by Donald Guthrie on Hebrews begins with an introduction discussing authorship, purpose of the letter, audience, dating, the influence of Qumran, and theological issues. The commentary then looks at the book in historical and linguistic detail drawing out the theological meaning expressed in the text.

Of all the major New Testament books, the letter to the Hebrews probably needs the most exposition and elucidation for modern readers. How can a peculiarly Jewish messiah be the world’s redeemer? In this new commentary based on the NIV, Donald Hagner allows Hebrews to speak for itself. Preachers and laypeople alike will profit immeasurably from this clear commentary. 296 pages, paper from Hendrickson.

John Macarthur approaches the book of Hebrews from a conservative evangelical and dispensationalist position. He covers the deep theological issues brought up in Hebrews including the priesthood of Melchizedek, the great cloud of witnesses and Jesus as priest. Macarthur brings his scholarship to bear on Hebrews providing a commentary for teachers and lay people alike.

The goal of the NIV Application Commentary is to help you with the difficult but vital task of bridging an ancient message into modern context. This series focuses on application as a finished product and also helps you think through the process of moving from the original meaning of a passage to its contemporary significance. To help achieve the goal of the series each passage is treated with three sections: Original Meaning, Bridging Contexts, and Contemporary Significance. In the book of Hebrews George H. Guthrie sums up the message in a simple phrase:”God speaks effectively to us through Jesus.” George H. Guthrie (Ph.D., Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) is professor and chair of the dapartment of Christian studies at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Dr. Guthrie is coauthor of Biblical Greek Exegesis.[TOP]

Smith provides a thorough and accessible commentary of the Book of Hebrews, a summary of the book as a whole, discussion of authorship, a breakdown of the theological thought in the text, and an overview of the historical circumstances in which it was written. Suitable for use by laypeople, students, and pastors alike. 207 pages, softcover.

Hebrews has been called the forgotten epistle because of its complex structure. Louis H. Evans Jr. offers this commentary on Hebrews explaining its woven style of writing and its relevance for today.This is a useful guide for preaching andteaching with Christology and soteriology.

The Preachers Commentary Series combines rich resources of historical setting and textual interpretation with spiritual insights and contemporary illustrations specifically designed for communicators. Based on the New King James Bible.

The Epistle to the Hebrews is one of the two greatest theological treatise of the New Testament. This letter is, in a real way, the “Leviticus” of the New Testament, detailing how the Lord Jesus Christ is both the fulfillment and the successor to all that had gone on before. This MP3 CD-Rom is self-contained and includes:

• Over 16 hours of Verse-by-Verse audio teaching through the book of Hebrews as MP3 files.
• Extensive searchable study notes as PDF files.
• A special message from Chuck.
• Listings of other MP3 resources.
• All programs necessary to play MP3 files.
• Adobe Acrobat Resources.
• This program will read PDF notes.
• Minimum system requirements: Windows 95-98 or NT, Pentium class 133 Mhz, 32 megs of RAM, & CD-ROM, Mac OS 7.6.1 or later. Power Macintosh with a 603 processeor at 100 MHz or faster. G3 recommended.

A NOTE ABOUT MP3 FORMAT: Please be advised that mp3s are designed to play on home computers or portable mp3 players that utilize the mp3 format. Therefore, if you would like to listen to mp3s on your home computer you will need a media player (such as the Windows Media Player or the Real Audio Player for Windows or the Quicktime 4 player for Mac) that will play mp3s. Furthermore, you will need one of the aforementioned players on your home computer to transfer mp3s to portable players such as the Rio or the IPod. Please Note: Mp3s will not play on traditional CD players or Walkmans.

(PUBEerdmans)Hebrews is usually considered an early Christian homily alternating between scriptural interpretation and exhortation. It is saturated with references to the Old Testament, using rather “Platonic” arguments for the superiority of Christ. DeSilva’s multi-pronged methodology nicely unravels the dense text. 560 pages, softcover.

The book of Hebrews challenges the belief of our present age that we cannot know God’s truth. God has revealed himself in His Son, Jesus Christ. The writer of Hebrews composed the letter so that its readers would hear and obey God’s message spoken through Christ.

Written from a Wesleyan perspective, this commentary follows your Bible, paragraph by paragraph, making it easy to find answers to the questions that arise in your personal devotions or in Bible study. [TOP]

John Owen’s unveiling of this text gives pastors and students of the Bible a thorough handle on its key passages. The message of Hebrews proves that Jesus Christ is still the Savior the world needs today. Contemporary believers will be inspired by it as they seek to uphold and defend Christ’s supremacy in a pluralistic world. Original works by godly writers, tailored for the understanding of today’s reader.

“From the Publisher:” Abingdon New Testament Commentary Series Hebrews by Victor C. Pfitzner This commentary for students of theology includes introduction, commentary, annotated bibliography, and selective index. The New Revised Standard Version is the principal translation.

The epistle to the Hebrews is a sermon of the sort preached in the earliest Christian doctrines. The preacher is addressing an urgent problem, one that is still common today, the congregation is exhausted; it has gone through great distress; and it is having difficulty holding on to its faith. Thomas Long showshow the epistle to the Hebrews combines theological teaching and advice about ethical action to speak to the church today as it confronts and responds to today’schallenges.

Years ago a movement was begun with the dream of uniting all Christians on the basis of a common purpose (world evangelism) under a common authority (The Word of God). The College Press NIV Commentary Series is a serious effort to join the scholarship of two branches of this unity movement so as to speak with one voice concerning the Word of God. Our desire is to provide a resource for your study of the New Testament that will benefit you whether you are preparing a Bible School lesson, a sermon, a college course or your own personal devotions. Today as we survey the wreckage of a broken world, we must turn again to the Lord and his Word, unite under his banner and communicate the life-giving message to those who are in desperate need. This is our purpose.

During the early days of the church, believers of all backgrounds were subject to persecution and pressure to renounce their faith. Jewish believers were vulnerable to doubts about Christ and to thinking about turning back to their familiar rituals and old way of thinking. The Epistle to the Hebrews was written to convince these Jewish Christians of the sufficiency and superiority of Christ over everything in Judaism, to warn them of the danger of drifting away from Christ, and to exhort them to faithfulness.

This commentary series was written by the team who designed and wrote the Life Application Bible, and each volume features a complete introduction, commentary, and a helpful reference section. [TOP]

Acknowledging that the jury is still out on such basic matters as who wrote the Book of Hebrews and for whom it was written, William Lane humbly but forcefully sets his ideas alongside those of other writers and scholars. This commentary is a nice combination of technical comment and thoughtful theology. William Lane earned degrees from Gordon Divinity School, Westminster Theological Seminary and Harvard University.

“Hebrews,” Dr. Lane says, “is a sermon in actual life.” It is, at the same time, “a sermon reduced to writing.” Acknowledging that the jury is still out on such basic matters as who wrote the Book of Hebrews and for whom it was written, William Lane humbly but forcefully sets his ideas alongside those of other writers and scholars. This commentary is a nice combination of technical comment and thoughtful theology. William Lane was professor of Religious Studies at Western Kentucky University for fifteen years, previously teaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He is now a professor and Dean of the School of Religion at Seattle Pacific University. He earned degrees from Gordon Divinity School, Westminster Theological Seminary and Harvard University.

This new volume in the New International Biblical Commentary provides insightful answers for the modern reader confronted by the puzzles of James’s thoroughgoing Jewish character. Davids demonstrates how the ”Jewishness” of the epistle, including its stress on poverty and piety, stems actually from its primitive Christian character. Careful section-by-section exegesis with the NIV as the base text renders James’s message accessible and relevant to students of all abilities. 172 pages, paper from Hendrickson.

(PUBHendrickson, BNTC)”Well-suited to the serious reader not interested in technicalities,”—The Bible Book. 273 pages, hardcover.

The book of James deals with belief and practice and the connection that must take place bewteen the two. Dr. Nystrom takes the truths of James and then relates them to the low information-action ratio prevalent today.

The NIV Application Commentary Series helps us with both halves of the interpretive task. This new and unique series shows readers how to bring an ancient message into a modern context. It explains not only what the Bible meant but also how it can speak powerfully today. [TOP]

The John Phillips Commentary Series is designed to provide pastors, Sunday school teachers, and students of the Scripture with doctrinally sound interpretaion that emphasizes the practical application of Bible truth. Working from the familiar King James Version, Dr. Phillips not only provides helpful commentary on the text, but also includes detailed outlines and numerous illustrations and quotations. Anyone wanting to explore the meaning of God’s Word in greater depth – for personal spiritual growth or as a resource for preaching and teaching – will welcome the guidance and insights of this respected series.

Even now, decades or centuries later, the brilliance of men like Calvin, Hodge and Spurgeon still speaks through the Crossway Classic Commentaries, which present the all-time best, written commentaries on individual books of the Bible. Each volume has been abridged and stylistically adapted for today’s readers by series editors J.I. Packer and Mister McGrath, while carefully preserving the meaning and message of the original expositors.

In this thorough exegesis of his own working translation, Adamson combats some prevalent notions and corrects misunderstandings of the nature of this unique epistle, which, he says, cannot really be understood apart from the whole context of the New Testament. The NICNT series has become recognized by pastors, students and scholars alike as a critical yet orthodox commentary marked by solid biblical scholarship within the evangelical Protestant tradition. James B. Adamson studied at the University of Edinburgh and in 1954 was awarded the Ph.D. degree from Cambridge University for his thesis on the Epistles of James.

In this new volume in the Word Biblical Commentary, Ralph Martin contributes to our understanding of faith and works, salvation and ethics, gospel and law. Grappling first with the letter’s authorship, Martin argues that the epistle is the application of James’s practical teaching to a later dispute in ancient Syria when Jewish and Gentile believers struggled to define their relationship. He shows that James’s instructions on Christian ”wisdom” make it an authentic word that needs to be heard today. Hardcover.

Emphasizing James’s creative use of Hellenistic Jewish traditions in his exposition of practical Christianity, Moo introduces the letter in its historical context and then provides verse-by-verse comments that explain the disciple’s message to its first readers and to today’s church—spiritual wholeness. Academic and accessible, scholarly and sensitive. 271 pages, hardcover from Eerdmans. [TOP]

Written from a Wesleyan perspective, this commentary follows your Bible, paragraph by paragraph, making it easy to find answers to the questions that arise in your personal devotions or in Bible study. Pastors today say that the biggest problem in churches is soft commitment, which makes this thorough study of James’ short letter on active righteousness very timely. Walters ties James to our own history, showing how much John Wesley drew on James’ call to practical holiness and social concern in his own preaching.

C. Freeman Sleeper’s lucid exposition of James restores this often neglected work to its rightful place in the Christian canon. Carefully charting the verbal structures and argument of the letter, he demonstrates that it is a coherent piece of moral teaching intended to encourage the development of Christian character, not just a collection of disparate maxims. As he guides the reader through the letter’s basic themes, Sleeper is attentive to its echoes in the Old Testament, Hellenistic Jewish wisdom literature, and sayings of Jesus, as well as to its affinities with other Christian writings. Moreover, he shows that the author’s understanding of God and of human nature provides a significant theological foundation for practical wisdom about the Christain moral life.

There is no more practical book in the New Testament than James. Its abundant imperatives (more than any other New Testament book) and its striking imagery arm it to prick to conscience of ‘double-minded’ and presumptuous Christians as skillfully today as in the first century. No commentary drives home the significance of these instructions better than Dr. Richardson’s. He has offered Bible students a thought-provoking and compelling examination of this wonderfully unsettling book.

Based on the widely used New International Version transla tion, this commentary presents careful section-by-section exposition with key terms and phrases highlighted and all Greek transliterated. A separate section of notes at the close of each chapter provides additional textual and technical comments. Included is also a selected bibliography as well as Scripture and subject indexes.

(PUBHendrickson, BNTC)”By far the best—makes good use of intertestamental literature,”—New Testament Commentary Survey. 416 pages, hardcover. [TOP]

Dr. Thomas Schreiner, an articulate and highly respected biblical scholar and theologian, guides the reader carefully through these practical, yet profound epistles. The two letters of Peter and the epistle of Jude remind us that God’s grace in Christ makes a difference in the way believers live. We were chosen not only for salvation but also for obedience. Too often our churches suffer from moral breakdown and a false view of tolerance. Christians often avoid any word of criticism or judgment because they fear that strong words compromise love. We learn from these epistles that love manifests itself in godly living and that right doctrine must be matched by Christlike lives. The Holy One calls us to be holy as well.

Thomas R. Schreiner (Ph.D., Fuller Theological Seminary) is professor of New Testament at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Associate Dean for Scripture and Interpretation. He is also preaching pastor of Clifton Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Besides many articles, Dr. Schreiner has written a commentary on Romans and several books on New Testament theology.

This volume is dedicated to the study of three late, little-known biblical works that historically have been relegated to the lesser works of the New Testaments. Reading 1 Peter, Jude, and 2 Peter underscores the light that these letters shed upon one another and focuses on the snapshots they provide of early Christian communities as they encountered the social and religious environment in which they were situated.

Intellectually stimulating and personally relevant, this insightful series is ideal for pastors, teachers, and laypeople alike. With practical illustrations and clear verse-by verse exposition, MacArthur avoids becoming overly technical, even while tackling problematic topics such as the role of women, the ministry of spiritual gifts, and the rapture. Using a dispensationalist approach, his purpose is to provide life applications.

Each passage is treated in three sections: Original Meaning, Bridging Contexts, and Contemporary Significance. The Original Meaning section helps you understand the meaning of the biblical text in its first-century context. Bridging Contexts builds a bridge between the world of the Bible and the world today, between the original context, by focusing on both the timely and timeless aspects of the text. The Contemporary Significance section allows the biblical message to speak with as much power today as it did when it was first written. [TOP]

1 Peter is often neglected as insignificant compared to Paul’s letters. Michaels’s indepth treatment establishes 1 Peter as a major ”social tract” written in response to a round of social crises and persecution facing Christians in the first century. The commentary follows the familiar, usable WBC format. Hardcover.

Offering a unique perspective on the social and cultural formation of Christianity, 1 Peter stands as one of the most significant documents of the early church. Elliott’s accessible commentary thoroughly explores the literary, historical, theological, and linguistic contexts of this important epistle, illuminating such issues as finding meaning in suffering and living honorably in a hostile society. 1200 pages, hardcover from Doubleday.

“From the Publisher:” Abingdon New Testament Commentary Series 1 Peter by Eugene M. Boring This commentary for students of theology includes introduction, commentary, annotated bibliography, and selective index. The New Revised Standard Version is the principal translation.

(PUBFortress)The widely respected professor of biblical interpretation at Union Theological Seminary in Virginia and general editor of Harper’s Bible Dictionary tackles one of the least-understood general Epistles, filling in much background from the ancient world and concentrating on theological thrusts. 438 pages, hardcover.

This verse by verse commentary discusses each passage in three sections: Original Meaning, Bridging Contexts, and Contemporary Significance. The “Original Meaning” section helps you to understand the meaning of the biblical text in its first-century context. The “Bridging Context” section helps you to bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today. The “Contemporary Significance” helps you to understand how the biblical message speaks with as much power today as it did when it was first written. 316 pages, hardcover from Zondervan. [TOP]

This commentary on Jude and the letters of Peter is written with scholarly and technical expertise by Richard Bauckham. The work includes an introduction to each book, discussing the origin, authorship, and linguistics. The commentary then outlines each letter. This work goes on to analyze the epistles verse by verse, drawing out the theological themes and statements. This is a good text for any scholar interested in these epistles.

Earl F. Palmer offers this commentary on 1, 2, 3 John bringing a fresh and exciting portrayal of the meaning of truth and love found in the letters. He also treats Revelation displaying its supremacy as a book about the lordship of Christ. Palmer clearly shows the relevance of John’s writings to the churches and its relevance to us today.

The Preachers Commentary Series combines rich resources of historical setting and textual interpretation with spiritual insights and contemporary illustrations specifically designed for communicators. Based on the New King James Bible.

Author Tom Johnson combines familiarity with recent scholar ship and lucidity of thought and expression into a fine and readable commentary on the espistles of John. While packed full of exegetical, philosophical and historical notes that help the reader to make sense of the argument and thought of the epistles in their original setting, the commentary is not overloaded with the freight of technical jargon and debate. Johnson deftly leads the reader through difficult passages, but provides plenty to chew on in the process. The student who wants a reliable guide to the thought of the epistles will be well served by this volume.

Most Bible commentaries take us on a one way trip from the twentieth century to the first century. But they leave us there, assuming that we can somehow make the return journey on our own. In other words, they focus on the original meaning of the passage but don’t discuss its contemporary application. The information they offer is valuable—but the job is only half done! The NIV Application Commentary Series helps us with both halves of the interpretive task. This new and unique series shows readers how to bring an ancient message into a modern context. It explains not only what the Bible meant but also it can speak powerfully today.

The Letters of John, commented on by John R. W. Stott in volume 19 of the Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, has been revised after almost 25 years since its original publication. This revised edition is based on the NIV. The author has clarified the obscurities, modernized the phraseology, eliminated what seemed repetitious, expanded what was too compressed, and added more contemporary application. This also makes use of the current literature which has appeared on the Johannine epistles since the first edition appeared. The result is a commentary which is up to date in its scholarship and its applicability.[TOP]

The Word Biblical Commentary is a scholarly analysis of the scriptures. This volume on 1-3 John by Stephen Smalley begins with an introductory section which discusses the date, occasion, structure, text and theological elements of the books. The commentary then looks at each of these epistles and draws out their message and structure. Smalley presents a conservative approach to the book, with good bibliographies and good interaction with the positions of others. Stephen Smalley is Canon Residentiary and Precentor of Coventry Cathedral in England. He holds degrees from Cambridge University and Eden Theological Seminary.

Through a verse-by-verse analysis of these three epistles, Dr. Akin examines the person and work of Christ, the avenues of assurance in salvation, and the ever present danger of false teaching to the Christian community. Features include: conservative theological exegesis, complete NIV text, charts, maps, bibliographies, footnotes, indexes, practical exposition, emphasis on theological unity of each book and the Bible as a whole, transliterated Hebrew and Greek, user-friendly format, and historical background of each book.

John’s epistles appear to be among the simplest books in the New Testament, until you dig a little deeper. Colin Kruse’s The Letters of John—a trustworthy contribution to The Pillar New Testament Commentary series—explores the full depth of what the apostle taught to enrich your spiritual life. Kruse examines authorship, audience, purpose, major Christian doctrines, theological themes, and more. Includes verse-by-verse commentary on each letter. 288 pages, hardcover, Eerdmans and Apollos.

The Crossway Classic Commentary Series, carefully adapted for the maximum understanding, preservation of the original meaning of the expositors, and usefulness, presents the very best work on individual Bible books for today’s believers.

From the Publisher: Years ago a movement was begun with the dream of uniting all Christians on the basis of a common pupose (world evangelism) under a common authority(The Word of God). The College Press NIV Commentary Series is a serious effort to join the scholarship of two branches of this unity movement so as to speak with one voice concerning the Word of God. [TOP]

This commentary offers sermon and lesson applications alongside the commentary of the text. This is a great commentary for preparing sermons or lessons and includes features such as: Charts, diagrams, and maps on the same page as their related verses; Quotes from various Bible versions such as the NIV, NRSV, and NLT; and Key information graphically highlighted.

David Rensberger discusses the numerous puzzles: linguistic, literary, and historical that characterize these brief texts. His comments on their theological and ethical significance illumines the meaning and interrelationship of faith and love. In short, Rensberger skillfully demonstrates that despite the Johannine epistles’ existence on the periphery of the New Testament canon, they nevertheless touch on the heart of its message. Inquiry includes relationship of these epistles to the gospel of John, Christology, Dualism, Eschatology, the Church, and Salvation.

(PUBFortress)New from the Professor of New Testament at the University of Gottingen. What do we mean by “God is light” and “God is love”? What are the distinguishing marks of a true Christian? To whom should we “confess”? When will the “Antichrist” appear? 416 pages, hardcover

Thomas Manton’s work on Jude is the latest addition to the Crossway Classic Commentary series. Devoted to revealing the character of godless men who change the grace of God into a license for immorality, Jude encourages believers to persevere in the faith with prayer and the knowledge that the wicked will be punished. Manton’s classic insights, carefully abridged and stylistically adapted, make this epistle especially relevant for today’s reader. [TOP]