The Catholic Epistles: a Quick Overview

Summary

In this informative video, Jeffrey explores the seven Catholic letters of the New Testament, which are distinct from other letters due to their universal audience. These letters, attributed to authors like James and Peter, cover themes such as faith and works, suffering and glory, and the defense of the gospel against false teachings. The video provides a high-level overview of each letter's purpose and significance, promising in-depth analyses in future videos, encouraging viewers to subscribe for updates.

Takeaways

• 📜 The New Testament is divided into 27 books, with 7 of them known as Catholic letters or epistles.
• 🌏 The term 'Catholic' in Catholic letters refers to their universal nature, intended for all Christians, not specifically Roman Catholics.
• 🤔 Despite being named after attributed authors, the true authors of these letters have been debated for centuries.
• 📚 The Catholic letters traditionally include James, 1st and 2nd Peter, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John, and Jude, but not Hebrews or Revelation.
• 📝 James emphasizes practical Christian faith, with the famous line 'faith without works is dead'.
• 🛐 1st Peter discusses themes of suffering and glory, promising future relief and reward for Christians.
• 🔍 2nd Peter focuses on remembering the truth and guarding against false teachings.
• 💌 The Johannine epistles (1st, 2nd, and 3rd John) are traditionally attributed to John the son of Zebedee, emphasizing belief, love, and obedience.
• 👥 2nd and 3rd John, despite being part of the Catholic letters, are written to individuals, focusing on truth and fellowship.
• ✝️ Jude, the last of the Catholic epistles, urges Christians to contend for the faith against false teachers and imposters.

Q & A

What are the Catholic letters in the New Testament?

The Catholic letters, also known as the Catholic epistles, are a group of seven books in the New Testament that are traditionally attributed to various authors and are addressed to Christians in general, not to a specific person or church.

Why are they called 'Catholic' letters?

They are called 'Catholic' because they were written for Christians everywhere, not to a specific person or church. The term 'Catholic' in this context means universal, indicating that the letters were intended for a general audience.

How many books are in the Catholic letters section of the New Testament?

There are seven books in the Catholic letters section of the New Testament.

Why are the books of Hebrews and Revelation not included in the Catholic letters?

Hebrews is traditionally not included because it was thought to be written by Paul, and Revelation is written to specific churches, which does not fit the general or universal nature of the Catholic letters.

Who is the author of the book of James?

The book of James is traditionally attributed to James, but it does not specify which James, as there are several James mentioned in the Bible.

What is the main theme of the book of James?

The book of James focuses on practical Christian faith and is famous for the line 'faith without works is dead,' emphasizing the importance of actions alongside belief.

Who are the authors of the books of Peter?

First Peter and second Peter are traditionally attributed to Simon Peter, a leader among Jesus' followers.

What are the central themes of the books of Peter?

First Peter deals with the themes of suffering and glory, while second Peter is about remembering the truth and being vigilant against false teachings.

Who is traditionally considered the author of the books of John?

The books of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John are traditionally attributed to John the son of Zebedee, one of the original twelve apostles.

What are the main messages of the books of John?

First John emphasizes belief in Jesus, keeping his commands, and loving one another. Second John focuses on truth, love, and obedience, while third John discusses fellowship and the importance of truth within the church.

Who wrote the book of Jude and what is its central message?

The book of Jude is traditionally attributed to a person who claims to be the brother of James, but it is not clear which James. The central message is to contend for the faith and be alert to false teachings.