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1 Peter Analysis

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F. Lecture 19 –1 Peter
Word Count: 565

1. Summarize the typical evangelical reconstruction of the circumstances behind the writing of 1 Peter.

The letter attributes the writing to Peter. Similarities in style with Acts and the Gospels seem to confirm the attribution along with a lack of objections from the early church about authorship. Peter probably used Silas as an amanuensis, accounting for the Greek style of the letter. The next verse claims that the letter was written from “Babylon”, likely a code name used for Rome. This coincides with tradition and with Paul’s correspondence since, according to 2 Tim. 4:11, Mark went to Rome in the mid 60’s. Thus, Peter is writing from Rome at the beginning of the Neronic persecution before his martyrdom …show more content…

1:5-2:27). The second is “to love one another,” and the last is to have a “correct Christology.” With respect to these, James comes to mind given that faith invariably ought to lead to good works (obedience, love, and to seek to know God). Similarly, Paul’s argument in Galatians 5:6 is that faith works itself out through love. Paul showcases also love as a test of life.
4. Who, most likely, are the “dear children,” “fathers,” and “young men” of 2:12-14?

“Dear children,” likely refers to the entire church (all the audience). He then subdivides his audience—into fathers and young men—by age and probably by Christian maturity as well.
5. What relationship exists between 2:16 and the temptations of both Jesus in the wilderness and Adam and Eve in the garden?

In this passage, John summarizes three types of temptation: (1) desires of the flesh, (2) desires of the eyes, and (3) pride of life. These three are conspicuously similar to the temptations faced by Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1ff recounts that Jesus was tempted turn stones into bread—flesh—, to worship Satan to receive the kingdoms of the earth shown to him—the eyes—, and to throw himself so that Angels would save him—pride) and those of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3).
6. How did the lecturer explain the sin that leads to death in …show more content…

What is apocalyptic literature and what distinct rules of interpretation apply to it?

The genre of apocalyptic literature is varied but was well known in the first century and can also be seen in other Christian and Jewish sources such as Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Jesus’ “Olivet Discourse,” and portions of 1 and 2 Thessalonians. This type of writing makes extensive use of symbolism, grotesque and outlandish imagery, and numbers infused with cryptic/symbolic meaning. It was often written in times of crisis, and can depict past, present, and future events intertwined or leading to moments of Godly intervention and triumph over evil forces.
Apocalyptic literature ought to be studied and analyzed in light of first-century history. The most important hermeneutical principle we can follow is, to make sense out of the text as a 1st century Christian in Asia-minor would have understood it, and not as a modern 21st-century Christians infusing meaning anachronistically into the text as it is often done. A literal interpretation is almost always the wrong approach to interpret such

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