Ruth Anne Reese explores the theological and literary meaning of 2 Peter and Jude with an emphasis on theology for the church today. She seeks to meld together the best tools derived from the disciplines of both biblical studies and theology. Reese's 2 Peter and Jude begins with a general introduction to the two books and proceeds to look at each text, exploring the meaning of particular words and illuminating the text with elements of history, sociology, and literary study. The themes of each book—and how they are played out throughout the biblical canon—are examined from an explicitly theological angle. Reese brings together insights from the best of biblical scholarship with the work of theologians, both contemporary and ancient. The combination of disciplines leads to new insights on such issues as judgment, community living, and the relationship between faith and ethics.
“I will suggest that theology is the manner in which we understand history (our constructed stories)2 and knowledge (our means of constructing stories)3 coming together to mold our understanding of who God is, who humans are, what the cosmos is, and what the relationship/s between these three are and can be.” (Page 3)
“First, God executes judgment. Second, the people, beings, or places that are judged have all been involved in actions that encompass, in some form, ways of living that either deny God or use God’s gifts for their own advantage.” (Page 80)
“The reason is that they all exhibit an unnatural rebellion.’34” (Page 46)
“Contending for the faith involves building others up in the faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, and practicing mercy. And this faithful practice should, finally, move those who identify themselves as the beloved people to whom the letter is addressed to practice their faith in such a manner that other people are rescued through acts of mercy and salvation.” (Page 24)
“The theological themes of 2 Peter and Jude include, among others, the following: the nature of God, the dichotomy between ‘us’ and ‘them,’ ethical living, and apocalyptic and eschatological themes.” (Page 5)