Chapter 3
2:05:43 minutes
Peter had one answer and John, the author of the Revelation, had a different perspective. Their differing answers depended on how the early Christians defined themselves, how they understood their responsibility in secular society, and how much hope they had that they could avoid suffering. Both authors stressed the importance of knowing their identity and standing firm in it, come what may. For Peter, such clarity and steadfastness was part of their witness. For John, standing firm was a matter of survival and eternal life.
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"NT Theology amid Persecution" (1 Peter and Revelation). Suffering was a very real part of the experience of many early Christians. For those scattered throughout Asia Minor (modern day Turkey), the reasons included marginalization and social conflict, along with outright persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ. For those in Rome and other select places in the Roman empire, their suffering stemmed from political as well as social oppression. The Apostle Peter urged his readers to reject any kind of victim-mentality, and instead to stand strong together by embracing their Christian identity, avoiding unnecessary persecution where they could, and remembering their call to witness and mission in a sometimes hostile environment. In the book of Revelation, John also stressed the importance of knowing, embracing, and celebrating their Christian identity, while also acknowledging the persecution and suffering are inevitable in this life for multiple reasons. To survive, believers must expect an ongoing battle between the forces of good and evil, be sure they are on the right side, and hold on to their faith in God and Jesus Christ, come what may. Such faith and steadfastness is the only solid basis of hope in a terrifying world full of evil, temptation, and judgment. Dr. Tim gave these lectures to seminary students at the Myanmar Institute of Theology in Yangon, Myanmar. The full, unabridged version, which include the Q&A session with students following the lectures, may be found in another playlist.