In the Footsteps of Judas and Other Defectors: The Gospels, Acts, and Johannine Letters

by B. J. Oropeza

Publisher:

Cascade Books

, 2011

Overview

B. J. Oropeza examines each book of the Gospels, Acts, and Johannine letters from an angle that is often neglected—religious aspostasy. He provides a thorough examination of how apostasy is viewed, opening up new veins of discussion on the issue. Looking at authorship, themes, and community affiliations Oropeza gives priority to Mark in the Synoptic Gospels before Matthew, combines Luke and Acts, and includes the Johannine epistles with John’s gospel as he investigates the phenomena regarding apostasy.

Contents

Top Highlights

“God is able to use such unbelief to advance his purposes” (Page 110)

“The appointment to salvation in Acts 13:48, then, may be understood in terms of the divine and prophetic purpose that finds fulfillment on the targeted people group called the Gentiles. With this view in mind, there is no contextual sense of divine coercion or arbitrary selection of individual Gentiles. Now that the salvific era finally arrived through Jesus and the apostolic message, the Gentiles could accept God’s invitation, and those who do so find themselves belonging to the Servant’s community that had been destined by God through the prophetic word.” (Page 115)

“In other words, the outsiders have their spiritual senses dulled ‘in order that’ they would not perceive Jesus’ parables ‘lest’ they come to repentance. This interpretation appears to be correct, but it raises new questions. Why would God deliberately harden the outsiders to prevent them from repentance, and are they held responsible for their unbelief and apostasy?” (Page 19)

“The traditional view of the community behind Mark’s gospel suggests that it was written in Rome the middle to late 60s CE.¹ According to the church father Papias and later sources, John Mark authored the gospel using the ‘memoirs’ of Saint Peter.² A close relationship between Peter and Mark is assumed in 1 Pet 5:13, and internal evidence from Mark’s gospel is said to support a Gentile or Roman audience.” (Page 11)

“The personal message to Luke’s audience behind these passages seems clear—they must give of their possessions generously for the sake of Christ and his church.” (Page 101)

Product Details

• Title: In the Footsteps of Judas and Other Defectors: The Gospels, Acts, and Johannine Letters
• Author: B. J. Oropeza
• Series: Apostasy in the New Testament Communities
• Volume: 1
• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Print Publication Date: 2011
• Logos Release Date: 2017
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Apostasy › Biblical teaching; Apostasy › Christianity; Bible. N.T. › Theology
• ISBNs: 9781610972895, 9781610972062, 9781498213721, 9781498213547, 1610972899, 1610972066, 1498213723, 1498213545
• Resource ID: LLS:FTSTPSJDSDFCTRS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-11-27T19:31:05Z

About B. J. Oropeza

Oropeza (M.A.Th., Fuller Theological Seminary; Ph.D., University of Durham) is assistant professor of biblical studies at Azusa Pacific University. He has worked previously as lecturer in theology for the Victory Outreach School of Ministry International and as a research associate for the Christian Research Institute. He has also been on radio talk shows such as Bible Answer Man and Talk New York, and he has contributed to articles for Christianity Today and Christian Research Journal.