About this Book

This handbook is designed as a step-by-step approach for analyzing and
communicating eight letters of the New Testament: Hebrews, James, the Petrine
Letters, the Johannine Letters, and Jude. Interpreting the General Letters
provides important background material for the interpretation of these books by
exploring the types and component parts of letter writing, the importance of an
amanuensis; the historical background of the Greco-Roman world, and implications
of each of these factors for interpreting the general letters.

This foundation is followed by a discussion of the theology of the general
letters. Specific consideration is given to the era of promise in Hebrew
Scriptures, the era of fulfillment as underscored in the general letters, and
how the theology of each letter contributes to the overall canon of
Scripture.

Finally, Bateman provides nine steps that move from interpretation to
communication: three steps for preparing to interpret the letters, three for
interpreting, and finally three for communicating the letters. All explanations
include examples in order to develop a student’s or pastor’s skills for accurate
interpretation and convicting communication of God’s Word See page 21 for full
series details.