The Books of 1, 2, 3 John and Jude: Forgiveness, Love, & Courage (21st Century Biblical Commentary Series) [Hardcover]

Robert Lightner (Author), Ed Hindson (Series Editor), Mal Couch (Series Editor)

Book Description

Series: 21st Century Biblical Commentary Series | Publication Date: December 1, 2003

IT IT OBVIOUS TO OTHERS THAT YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD?

DO YOU CLAIM TO LOVE GOD BUT HATE YOUR BROTHER? Such hypocrisy is contrary to the teaching of 1 John 3:10, that believers in Christ should walk in the light, living righteously before God and showing love and compassion to others. In this commentary on these letter to believers, Dr.Lightner reveals how the faith once delivered to the saints encourages believers to live for Christ, to act appropriately according to truth and love, and to uphold that truth in times of apostasy.

As the sole survivor of the original disciples, John wrote with the deliberate pastoral authority and demeanor. His letters are rooted and grounded in a practical local church ministry. The truths in 1 John draw careful attention to the believer's responsibilities to be in fellowship with God.

The books of 2 John and 3 John serve as bookends for love and truth. Second John emphasizes Christian love with its foundation in truth. Third John, on the other hand, emphasizes truth with its foundation in Christian love. Truth is not absent in 2 John; neither is love absent in 3 John. Dr.Lightner points the reader toward righteous living in both the love of Christ and the return of His doctrine.

The book of Jude then moves from a heart of concern for the truth to its application to the lives of God's people. George Lawlor points out Jude's "dramatic and forceful manner of writing and his use of the Old Testament records to support his argument." Jude writes as a man of courage, conviction, and concern. In so doing, he calls upon believers in every generation to "contend earnestly for the faith."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The godly men involved in the twenty-First Century Commentary Series are dedicated to the inspiration of Scripture and to the blessed hope of the return of the Lord. Without hesitation, I command the work for Sunday school teachers, pastors, and all interested students of the Bible."

Dr.Paige Patterson, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

"I'm honored to recommend the twenty-First Century Biblical Commentary Series. I know I can trust the evangelical soundness and doctrinal integrity of the authors who are laboring to give us books that will serve the cause of Christ for generations to come."

Dr.Tim Lahaye, Co-author of the Left Behind series

About the Author

ROBERT LIGHTNER is professor Emeritus of SystematicTheology at Dallas Theological Seminary where he began serving the Lord in 1968. Dr.Lightner is also adjunct  professor of the theology at The Theological Seminary in Forth Worth-TX. He holds a Th.B.from Baptist Bible Seminary, a TH.M and Th.D.from Dallas Theological Seminary,and an M.L.A from Sothern Methodist University in Dallas. He is also author of numerous books on theology, apologetics, and prophecy, including Sin, Salvation, and the Savior; The Handbook of Evangelical Theology; and the Death Christ Died, He lives in Garland, TX.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: AMG Publishers (December 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0899578136
• ISBN-13: 978-0899578132
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,313,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars College student, May 24, 2005

By 

Gary Hale (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Books of 1, 2, 3 John and Jude: Forgiveness, Love, & Courage (21st Century Biblical Commentary Series) (Hardcover)

I very much enjoyed this commentary. Lightner gets straight to explaining what the apostle was saying by defining various Greek words/phrases. But he doesn't take it too far and give too much about the history...gives just enough to offer a clear understanding while keeping it at a practical/flowing level. And there are questions at the end of each chapter and a jubilee of extra resources! I recommend to anyone that's going to be leading a Bible study or just wants a better understanding of the context without getting over-scholarly.