Inside this issue: 1. The Rehabilitation of an Exegetical Step-Child: 1 Peter in Recent Research, by John H. Elliott 2. The Critical Exploration of 1 Peter, by Dennis Sylva 3. Parenesis and Kerygma in 1 Peter, by Eduard Lohse, translated by John Steely 4. 1 Peter, Its Situation and Strategy: A Discussion with David Balch, by John H. Elliott 5. Hellenization / Acculturation in 1 Peter, by David Balch 6. The Literary and Theological Function of 1 Peter 1:3-12, by David W. Kendall 7. The Functional Christology of First Peter, by Earl Richard 8. Once Again: The Plan of 1 Peter, by Charles H. Talbert

The volume contains five studies that have been written over the last decade; some of them are previously published as articles. The studies focus on the role of Silvanus in the making of the letter, the Christians as paroikoi kai parepidemoi, the issue of being a common priesthood, the psychological and ethical issues contained in 1 Pet 2:11, and the range of acculturation and assimilation argued in the letter.

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews said, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God." Over the centuries much ink has been spilled on the subject of grace. Yet perhaps nothing is as hard to explain as God's grace. It doesn't make sense. It's not fair. It can't possibly cover over what I've done. The best way--perhaps the only real way--to understand it is to experience it. But too often in our churches we're not getting grace across and grace is not experienced. Bestselling author and pastor Kyle Idleman wants everyone to experience the grace of God. Through the powerful medium of story, Grace Is Greater leads readers past their hang-ups toward an understanding of grace that is bigger than our mistakes, our failures, our desire for revenge, and our seemingly impossible situations. No sin is so great, no bitterness so deep that God's grace cannot transform the heart and rewrite the story. Perfect for individuals and also for small groups and church-wide studies, Grace Is Greater will help readers truly grasp God's grace, even if the Christians around them have failed to live it.

Peter David's study on I Peter is part of The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Prepared by some of the world's leading scholars, the series provides an exposition of the New Testament books that is thorough and fully abreast of modern scholarship yet faithful to the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

"With the Master Before the Mirror of God's Word is a women's Bible Study on 1st John. The book of First John is a letter of self-examination to see if you are in the faith and living the example of the life of Christ. 1 John 2:1: ""My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1). The tone is tender in this book as the Apostle John expresses love and concern to his readers, using that phrase, ""little children"" seven times. As we look in the mirror of God's Word we are to examine our hearts closely and we will see that we need to change!"

Our inheritance through Christ is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. In 1 Peter, a man of faith and flaws and eyewitness to the life of Christ challenges us to look beyond our current circumstances to a future inheritance. He shares his concerns on big picture issues for the early church, describes believers' true identity in Christ, and ultimately helps readers discover what it means to experience the Living Hope they have in Christ. Key themes of humility, submission, and identity in Christ guide the study of 1 Peter as participants are challenged to read the book in its entirety each week. Teaching videos are key to the understanding of this study. (9 sessions) Features: Personal study segments to complete between group sessions 9-session study with 8 weeks of homework Verse-by-verse approach to complete a book study Teaching videos that build upon and tie together the personal study available for purchase or rent (30 to 35 minutes per session) Benefits Expand your understanding of 1 Peter for personal spiritual growth by reading the book in its entirety throughout each week of study Follow a verse-by-verse approach to complete a book study Discover the gospel of Christ as learners seek to conform fully to the Scriptures Dig deeper into Scripture individually and alongside other women--both those new to Bible study and those more familiar with Scriptures--with this widely-applicable study Author: Jen Wilkin is a writer, teacher, and blogger at JenWilkin.net. She is the managing editor of The Village Church blog and leads the Flower Mound Women's Bible Study, an interdenominational Bible study with about 700 members representing 68 different churches. She earned a B.A. in English and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M. Jen wrote Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds and has a 9-week DVD Bible study on The Sermon on the Mount.Jen grew up in Texas and came to saving faith in elementary school. Her childhood was marked by time spent in seven different denominations - a range of experience that left her with the conviction that knowing the Word was the only sure means of discerning truth from error. Jen's passion is to see women become articulate and committed followers of Christ, with a clear understanding of why they believe what they believe and grounded in the Word of God. She sees women as most frequently appealed to through their emotions. Because of that, she advocates for women to have Bible literacy, love God with their minds, and have their voices and giftings fully leveraged in the church.

In this newest addition to the acclaimed BECNT series, respected New Testament scholar Karen H. Jobes provides a fresh commentary on 1 Peter. 1 Peter admirably achieves the dual aims of the BECNT series--it is academically sophisticated as well as pastorally sensitive and accessible. This volume features Jobes's own translation of the Greek text and detailed interaction with the meaning of the text, emphasizing the need to read 1 Peter in light of its cultural background. Jobes's commentary will help pastors, students, and teachers better understand the Christian's role as a "foreigner" in contemporary society.

The contributors to this volume offer a bold re-reading of Hebrews and 1 Peter from the perspective of the Global South. The chapters provide enriching new hermeneutical and theological insights, revealing facets of the text that may not at first be apparent to readers within a Eurocentric context. The volume is thus able to explore topics ranging from the authorship of Hebrews in the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition and the Batak reading of Christus Victor, to a Xhosa perception of the solidarity and sacrifice of Jesus, and intercultural readings of Christian identity in the context of persecution. With an introduction and final response by scholars from the Global North, this volume encourages awareness of how the Global South contributes to world Christianity.

In Persecution in 1 Peter, Travis B. Williams offers a comprehensive and detailed socio-historical investigation into the nature of persecution in 1 Peter, situating the epistle against the backdrop of conflict management in first-century CE Asia Minor.

The message of Peter's first letter turned the world upside-down for his readers. He saw the people of the young church of the first century as strangers, aliens who were only temporary residents, travellers heading for their native land. Peter speaks to our own pilgrimage when he tells of suffering now and glory to come. Stormy seasons of persecution were beginning for the church in Asia Minor. These storms rage on in the modern world. Edmund Clowney believes that no true Christian can escape at least a measure of suffering for Christ's sake. Out of his firsthand knowledge as an apostle of Christ, Peter shows us what the story of Jesus' life means for us as we take up our cross and follow him.