Читать книгу 1, 2 Peter and Jude Through the Centuries - Rebecca Skaggs - Страница 11

This is an exploration of the history of the effects of three small texts about which little information is agreed upon in terms of authorship, dating, audience, and even purpose and genre. Nevertheless two of them claim to have been written by one of the most famous of the apostles of Jesus himself – Peter – and all three of them have had a significant effect on theology, culture, art, and literature through the centuries. Indeed “kernels” of most of the major doctrines can be found within 1 Peter, along with probably the most extensive discussion on suffering and joy in the whole New Testament, as well as controversial issues such as slavery (2:18–25), the role of women in marriage (3:1–7), and perhaps the most curious passage in the Bible about Christ’s visit to the spirits in prison (3:18–22). In addition, it includes some of the most well‐known and cherished verses in scripture: “Cast all your anxieties on him for he cares for you” (5:7) and “love covers a multitude of sins” (4:8; cf. also James 5:20). 2 Peter also has contributed significantly, for example 1:20–1 on the inspiration of scripture has profoundly influenced theology. Also, 2:4 along with the parallel in Jude 6 on the fallen angels has effects in art and literature, and 2 Peter 3 has the most information of any New Testament book except for Revelation on the conflagration of the world by fire at the end of time. Jude 9 is the only existing account of the battle between the Archangel Michael and Satan over the body of Moses.

Hence, it is a joyful undertaking to trace the reception history of 1 Peter (words addressed to sufferers of all time; words of encouragement, hope, and joy); Jude (one of the most intriguing examples of the use of visual imagery in argument); and 2 Peter (the most extensive discussion of the end of the world by fire). In spite of the ambiguities surrounding their origins, readers have received and been profoundly affected by each of them, albeit in different ways through the centuries.