Apostolic Letters of Faith, Hope, and Love

Publisher Description

Professor Metzger has been a leader in New Testament studies for the past fifty years, through his teaching, his publications, his text-critical work, and his translation work. This volume brings his deep insight to three key epistles, focusing on three fundamental Christian virtues. The following pages set forth the teaching from three of the twenty-one letters contained in the New Testament: Galatians, 1 Peter, and 1 John. Each letter presents characteristic emphases of three prominent leaders in the early church: Paul, Peter, and John. Each letter arises out of quite different social and theological backgrounds, and each provides insight into the manner in which the special needs of the recipients of the letter were met. Key words and phrases from each letter are discussed within the context of the occasion that called forth the writing of the letter. At the same time the theological and devotional import of the writer's teaching is related to the Christian life, then and now. A concluding chapter weaves together theological and ethical themes common to the three principal strands of New Testament Christianity. Faith puts us on the path; hope keeps us walking; and love is what the Christian life is all about. --from the Preface