Second Epistle of Peter

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The Second Epistle of Peter is an epistle in the New Testament traditionally attributed to the Peter the Apostle, but modern scholars date the work to approximately 125 CE,[citation needed] some sixty years after the alleged crucifixion of Peter, thus making it perhaps the last book of the New Testament in chronological order of authorship. One of the issues addressed by the letter is the apparent delay of the second coming of the Lord Jesus. This would not have been a concern in 64-67 CE when Peter was according to tradition executed. Still by the early 2nd century it was becoming apparent that Jesus was wrong when he said, "There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." (Matthew 16:23) It also appears to contain several references or echoes of the Epistle of Jude, which is dated 70 - 90 CE, and it may contain references to 2nd century Gnostic ideas, pushing it even later.[1] Resemblances to Jude have also led to a theory by bishop John RobinsonWikipedia that 2 Peter was written by the same person as Jude.[2] Origen and Eusebius of Caesarea both expressed reservations, although the Petrine origin was widely accepted by the 3rd century.[3]

It also reserves the power to interpret the scriptures to the Apostles and asserts that scripture is not to be subject to private interpretation. So in Protestant churches they tend to skip over this book a lot.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. See the Wikipedia article on Authorship of the Petrine epistles.
  2. Who Wrote 2 Peter?, John Piper, Desiring God
  3. Intro to 2 Peter, Biblica: International Bible Society