The “Eight” General Letters of the New Testament
The eight general letters of the New Testament encompasses the eight books of the New Testament from Hebrews to Jude. The books are known to as the general letters because most of them were written in letter format. The formats in which the books are written resemble the letters of Paul. Nevertheless, there is no clarity on some of the letters authors, and various theories have been postulated to signify the writers of the letters causing controversies. The letters depict the special attributes of the early Christians, likewise to the caution on false teachers. The letters embrace practice of holy life dominated by faith to god and selfless love (Verughese, 2009).
Hebrews
Throughout the book, there is no identification of the author. Many persons have made common suggestions postulating that Paul is the actual author of the book. Nevertheless, the language incorporated in the book proves explicitly that peter is not the author. The epistle only entail one fact that a constituent of the Christian society from Egypt to Christians in Rome. Various scholars have convinced the populace that Priscilla who was Paul’s colleague wrote the book. The letter widely depicts the supremacy of Christianity against the Jewish decree, and advocate for the clinging to faith by established believers.
James
Different people concur with the fact that James who was the leader of the Jewish Christian members and a brother to Jesus wrote this epistle. Nonetheless, there is a controversy because writing from a substantial leader of such profile would not have taken longer period without discovery. Secondly, the letter is written in fluent Greek language probably from a native speaker but Greek was a second-language to James after Aramaic, and would have not managed such ease in writing. The epistle highlights on upright manners among Christians, and the letter seem to criticize the Jewish Christians who had not changed their acts even after changing to Christianity. According to the author, there is anticipation that the converts would avoid their sinful deeds and take a new path (Verughese, 2009). The author points to that there were bad deeds such as gossip, envy and conflict in the society and some of which might have resulted to the stoning of Stephen.
1 Peter
There is an overall conventional acceptance that Peter who was one of Jesus’ most desirable disciples authored the epistle. The liberals highlight that since peter was a fisherman would not have been capable of communicating in such a flowing Greek. The author also outlines some of Paul’s works, which were actually not in distribution until longer period after Peter’s death. The epistle aims at the encouragement of Christians who were experiencing mockery from non-Christians. The epistle also emphasizes on giving confidence to the Christians who were undergoing discrimination from their governments (Preageant, 1995).
2 Peter
Majority of Christian conservatives recognize Peter as the author of the epistle. However, there are doubts that peter would have authored the letter among the liberals because the book indicates the book of Jude, written later to have been acknowledged by peter. The epistle also refers to Paul’s writings as scriptures, which were only incorporated in the writings after Peter’s work. The author condemns the heightening doubt concerning the seriousness of the return of Jesus within the Christian society. this problem only emanated subsequent to Peter’s death. The work accentuates on the essence of appropriate knowledge for faith nourishment. The epistle suggests that Godly life is vital and Jesus would come any time, and Christians should avoid teachings from lawless men (Metzger, 2003).
1 John
Religious conventions believe that John who among Jesus disciples, but assumes a sermon criteria. Theological analyses provide several differences between the epistle and the gospel. Significantly, the gospel allot the advocate function of Holy Spirit whilst in the epistle, he is Jesus. The epistle considers the dissentient among the churches and stresses on the fellowship with God to prevent believers from spiritual deviations and sins (Soothill, 2002). The author elaborates on the looming advent of the Antichrist and the approaching end of the world, which never occurred.
2 John
The epistle appears to be addressed to a Christian woman together with her children. The letter warns the woman to avoid the Gnostic Christians who preach false information in pretence of the truth. The letter cautions that false teachings are liable to lead an individual astray. Theological evaluations have interpreted the symbolic woman to be the church to which the letter is addressed. The epistle advocates for the embracement of love and respect amid the Christian community (Preageant, 1995).
3 John
The epistle incorporates a personal letter to a friend called Gaius and acclaims him for his love and desire to accommodate others. Hospitality is a critical aspect that demonstrates higher degree of love, which is a suitable virtue of Christians. The author compares Demetrius and Diotrephes basing on their behavior. The author praises Diotrephes and censures Demetrius (Verughese, 2009).
Jude
The author of the epistle is Judas who identifies himself in the book as James and Jesus’ brother. However, other are denominations who strictly believe on Mary’s external virginity and refer to Judas and James as either the cousins of Jesus or family friends. The translators of the epistle targeted the aversion of confusion of the name Judas and changed the name to Jude. The author outlines that the time of apostles existence is in the past. Jude highlights on the Christians who backslides from faith due to the restrictions from the Old Testament and the false teachers (Soothill, 2002).