2 Peter Blog 1

Of all of the New Testament Epistles, 2 Peter’s authorship is one of the most disputed. Its style differs so much from 1 Peter that it seems highly unlikely that the same person could have written both. Peter is one of the people who are thought to have written it though (Keener 723). The author claims to have been a witness to the Transfiguration in 2 Peter 3: 15-16 (Senior 2189). Donald Senior this on the authorship of 2 Peter, the “probable use of the Letter of Jude as a source are all arguments against Peter’s having been the actual author and the probability that, as with 1 Peter, this is a pseudonymous work that cites the authority of the apostle but was written by a later generation in his name” (2189). Senior also says this about 2 Peter, “The formal style and stiff polemical tone of this brief book help to rank it among the least read of the biblical canon. Yet it grapples with profound and enduring theological issues such as God’s providence and the destiny of the world” (2189). On the genre, 2 Peter is an epistle meant to have a large audience and has elements of a “testamentary” (Keener 724).
“His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, though the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3
I was frustrated the other day as I flipped through the channels at the dorm. The Trinity Broadcasting Network was playing Joel Osteen. How can a Christian channel play Finger of God Film one night, a life of Jesus film the next, and Joel Osteen the next? HOW? Finger of God Film is all about God. The Jesus films out there show us the Gospel (JESUS), and Joel Osteen does none of that.
I do not hate Joel Osteen. I just do not listen to Joel Osteen anymore. I do not think that the Gospel is about what I deserve.
Look at 2 Peter 1:3. It says, “His divine power...” who is He? God is. God. Not anybody else. “has given us...” we had nothing without God. Therefore, God is higher than we are. Yet God still has given. “everything we need” not everything we want...not a promotion that we feel that we deserve, not that luxury car. Now wait, God did provide riches for us to spend on stuff like that, but that is not our purpose. No, our purpose is far greater than sitting in a mansion getting fat off our junk food and then going to the doctor...now which car should I take? Our purpose is greater. Anyway, “everything needed for life and godliness” what does stocking up our houses full of junk have to do with godliness? What does anything that makes the flesh happy have to do with godliness? “through the knowledge of him who called us” again, it is about God. Not me, not you, not anybody but GOD. Through the knowledge of God....everything. Through the knowledge of God...we have everything that we need. “by his own glory and goodness.” Again...God. God. And, more God. Did you see humans able to do anything apart from God in that verse anywhere? That is how 2 Peter opens (after the opening greeting). Ta-da, it s about God, people.
This even is hard for me to grasp at times. God does not need any of my help. God does not need your help. God does not need anything that any of us could do.

WORKS CITED

Keener, Craig S. “2 Peter,” Pages 723-733 in The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993.

Senior, Donald. “The Second Letter of Peter.” Pages 2189-2190 in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible with the Apocrypha. Edited by Walter J. Harrelson et al. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003.