Contending For The Fath

The vast majority of people open the New Testament and start reading without understanding the historical context. It is this very lack of context that causes many people to naively read into the text their preconceived ideas. In this book I offer an in-depth examination of the epistles of Jude and II Peter, which both embody Second Temple Jewish Apocalyptic perspectives. Interpretation of the Bible is demanded by the 'tension' that exists between its eternal relevance and its historical setting. The tension of contradictory ideas is one of the realities we must grapple with in examining the Bible. Such ideas as law vs grace, wrath vs mercy, works vs faith, judgement vs forgiveness, predestination vs freedom to choose, Christ present rule vs Christ future rule and many such tensions found in Scripture. Refusing to recognize the tension and becoming preoccupied with validating our preferred positions is one of the leading causes that create extreme views. In this book I hope to strengthen you to be able to do what Jude appealed for us all to do which is "contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3).