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James, 1&2 Peter, 1-3 John, and Jude: Quick Summary
James - This book is written by Jesus's (half) brother/cousin, James (I'll leave the debates about whether Mary had children after Jesus or if Joseph was a widower that brought children into his marriage with Mary for someone else). In this book, James emphasizes Jesus's Sermon on the Mount teachings. There is A LOT of time spent discussing rich vs poor. He also goes into how faith without good works is fruitless, but that one who has faith will be moved to do good works.
1 & 2 Peter - 1 Peter has him discussing that suffering adds to one's faith in God. All of us are to submit to others, no matter if they abuse that submission or not. For if they don't abuse, you are being blessed; and if they do abuse your submission, this is your chance to suffer and grow in faith. Peter states that Christians need to submit, be humble, and try to live a clean life so all are ready when the Lord comes again. 2 Peter supposedly was written shortly before Peter's death. In the book, he reminds Christians to live a good, holy life while they wait for the return of Jesus. Yes, he says, Jesus will come again. Just because Jesus didn't return shortly after the resurrection doesn't mean he won't come again - "with the Lord one day is like 1,000 years, and 1,000 years like one day."
1-3 John - These books share the same symbolic flourishes as was found in the Gospel of John, however the arguments in these letters are a bit jumbled and disorganized. 1 & 2 John focus a great deal on Jesus being the Messiah. He tells how God is Love and those that abide in God and Jesus will have no reason to fear. John talks about the seriousness of sin and makes an attempt to fight the heresy of dualism (Spirit = good, matter = evil). He also uses the term "antichrist" for the first time. In these books, however, John uses that term to identify the people who deny and refuse the truth about Jesus and not necessarily the figure from the End Times. 3 John (as well as 2 John) are quite short. This third letter discusses a different topic than the first two. In this final letter, John commends those that welcome and support those traveling to spread the word of Jesus.
Jude - Jude is reported to be Jesus' (half) brother/cousin (again, I'll skip the debate on whether Jesus had siblings and if Mary birthed them). In this very short letter, Jude admonishes those claiming that because Jesus cleansed us of our sins we are allowed to sin. Jude cites numerous examples from the OT and non-canonical Jewish sources of God punishing those that sin.
Now, all I have left is to read Revelation tomorrow. Once that book is read, I will have reached a goal I've had for decades. While I freely admit that reading and listening to the Bible in 90 days doesn't make me a Bible scholar, there is a breadth of knowledge that I have now that will fuel my Bible studies for a long time to come.
1 & 2 Peter - 1 Peter has him discussing that suffering adds to one's faith in God. All of us are to submit to others, no matter if they abuse that submission or not. For if they don't abuse, you are being blessed; and if they do abuse your submission, this is your chance to suffer and grow in faith. Peter states that Christians need to submit, be humble, and try to live a clean life so all are ready when the Lord comes again. 2 Peter supposedly was written shortly before Peter's death. In the book, he reminds Christians to live a good, holy life while they wait for the return of Jesus. Yes, he says, Jesus will come again. Just because Jesus didn't return shortly after the resurrection doesn't mean he won't come again - "with the Lord one day is like 1,000 years, and 1,000 years like one day."
1-3 John - These books share the same symbolic flourishes as was found in the Gospel of John, however the arguments in these letters are a bit jumbled and disorganized. 1 & 2 John focus a great deal on Jesus being the Messiah. He tells how God is Love and those that abide in God and Jesus will have no reason to fear. John talks about the seriousness of sin and makes an attempt to fight the heresy of dualism (Spirit = good, matter = evil). He also uses the term "antichrist" for the first time. In these books, however, John uses that term to identify the people who deny and refuse the truth about Jesus and not necessarily the figure from the End Times. 3 John (as well as 2 John) are quite short. This third letter discusses a different topic than the first two. In this final letter, John commends those that welcome and support those traveling to spread the word of Jesus.
Jude - Jude is reported to be Jesus' (half) brother/cousin (again, I'll skip the debate on whether Jesus had siblings and if Mary birthed them). In this very short letter, Jude admonishes those claiming that because Jesus cleansed us of our sins we are allowed to sin. Jude cites numerous examples from the OT and non-canonical Jewish sources of God punishing those that sin.
Now, all I have left is to read Revelation tomorrow. Once that book is read, I will have reached a goal I've had for decades. While I freely admit that reading and listening to the Bible in 90 days doesn't make me a Bible scholar, there is a breadth of knowledge that I have now that will fuel my Bible studies for a long time to come.