James to Jude: A Guide for Reflection and Prayer »

The seven letters near the end of the New Testament are a diverse collection, addressed by their writers to widely scattered groups and individuals. They cover topics that range from the meaning of authentic Christian living (as distinct from Jewish cultural norms) to encouraging perseverance among believers suffering persecution. In all of them, however, the writers clarify what is true and what is false teaching-and instruct their readers to discern the difference. In the striking practicality of James, the centrality of love in the epistles of John, or in Peter's hopeful assurance to society's "exiles," we hear the inspired words that steadied the faltering first steps of the early Christian church.

About the Author:
Francis J. Moloney, formerly Dean of the School of Theology and Religious Studies at Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, is provincial Superior of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Australia

Introduction     1
The practical letter     14
From whom to whom?     16
Trials, prayer, riches and temptation     18
Pure and undefiled religion     20
Faith and discrimination     22
Faith and deeds     24
The power of speech     26
Who-is wise?     28
Who is your friend?     30
Draw near to God     32
Wealth and poverty     34
Waiting patiently     36
Speaking rightly     38
Caring deeply     40
A home for the homeless     42
To the exiles     44
Themes emerge     46
The good news of holiness     48
God's own people     50
Living in a pagan world     52
The shepherd and guardian     54
Wives and husbands     56
Good and evil     58
Confidence in persecution     60
The basis for confidence     62
Renouncing sin     64
The will of God and the end of time     66
Joy in persecution     68
Christian leadership     70
Final exhortation     72
Conclusion     74
Authors and authority     76
Heresies increase     78
Certain intruders     80
Tradition stands in judgment     82
Sinners and saints     84
To the chosen     86
Preparing for the journey     88
Testament     90
Prophecy of the end time (i)     92
Prophecy of the end time (ii)     94
God's judgment     96
Leaving the straight road     98
Empty promises     100
The certainty of the end time     102
Waiting for the day     104
Be found by him at peace     106
The writings of John     108
The world of the letters of John     110
Introducing 1 John     112
An early Christian letter     114
The beginning     116
The community of Jesus     118
The message     120
Consequences     122
The old commandment     124
Forgiveness and victory     126
Holding fast to the truth     128
Children of God     130
Children of God and children of the devil     132
Let us love one another     134
The hatred of the world     136
Confidence, love and belief     138
Testing the spirits     140
A God who is love     142
By this we know     144
These are our beliefs (i)     146
These are our beliefs (ii)     148
Confidence in prayer     150
God's protection     152
Christians divided     154
A passionate voice     156
Two genuine first-century letters     158
To the elect lady and her children     160
To the beloved Gaius     162
A tradition is born     164
A lesson to be learnt?     166
Further reading     168