The First Epistle of Peter was written to the Gentiles, who were sometimes referred to as “strangers.” Specifically, this letter was addressed to Gentiles outside Palestine in Asia Minor in 63 AD. 

Reminding them of their inheritance, Peter said it was reserved for them in heaven. Peter instructed the Gentiles to be Holy, strive to be like God. Peter even calls the Gentiles a royal priesthood that are heirs to the promise once given to the Israelites. Telling the people to submit to all authority, Peter said this would show that Christians aren’t seeking power, but righteousness. This would silence ignorant men. Peter assured to not worry if you were persecuted for evil that you did not commit, God knows that you are innocent, this happened to Christ too. Suffering for doing good brings riches in heaven, but avoiding the evil ways of other Gentiles, Peter reminded them that they used to be like the sinful people around them. 

Written earlier than most of Paul’s Epistles, James wrote his Epistle in the late 40s. Temptations make Christians stronger by trying our faith and producing patience, James said. Pray not for vain things, but for wisdom and God will grant you it. James also corrected the mistake that temptations come from God, but from inside men’s hearts. Despite not being common practice at the time, James said to treat a rich man like you would a poor man. James also noted that faith without works is dead. 

In the New Testament, God was sovereign and was the source of all positive sanctions. Jesus was the Son of God, but also served mankind, He was the agent between God and man. The disciples were given the power to heal and exorcise by Jesus. In Galatians Paul says that the world is bondage to sin, Christians are people who aren’t in bondage but can still fall back into it. In I Timothy, Ephesians, Romans, and Galatians lists of condemning sins that need to be repented are given. Stated in Romans, God’s wrath is not only brought upon men by eternal damnation but also on earth and on judgement day. 

During the early Church Christianity was spread quickly by word of mouth and the Gospels and Epistles were read in meetings. Another way of the Gospel becoming more known was singing, which made it easier to remember. When Epistles were sent to individual Churches or people, the manuscripts were copied and distributed. Peter said that there was a culture war between Christians and Pagans. Classical culture is about vanity, Church members were required to build a separate culture.

By the 10th Century, the church had fallen into what is known as “lay control,” in which lay people who were neither ordained nor were church officials began to rule the church. Partly being caused by feudalism, local lords chose their own abbots, bishops, and priests. Thus, these newly appointed clergy were often promoted for non-religious or political reasons. 

The reform was named after Pope Gregory VII, who served as pope from 1073-1085. Around this time, monastic discipline had badly deteriorated because of undisciplined monks being allowed into monasteries. One of the first major steps for reform was the creation of the Cluny monastery in 910 in Burgundy, France. Established by a lay person, Duke William of Aquitaine, he said that he had no control over it and gave up authority to the Church. Becoming a center of reform, Cluny helped improve other monasteries and also affiliated with other ones as well. 

When aristocratic families began jockeying for control of the Papacy, Pope Leo IX (1049-1054) was named to the Papal office by the emperor. Despite being recommended by a lay-person, Leo started reforming many Church abuses like Simony (the act of purchasing church offices) and clerical marriages. The office of cardinals who were advisors to the Pope was also established around this time by Pope Nicholas II. 

Although Pope Gregory VII continued the reform, it slowed down by the late 1000s, since he couldn’t appoint his own people because monarchs and lords didn’t listen to him. Therefore Gregory proclaimed that the king’s role was to establish peace and order so people could pursue a Christian journey, while the Pope’s role was to teach the rules of the Church and choose clergy. Continuing, Gregory asserted that the Pope could excommunicate and depose kings as well. In 1075, Gregory held a council in which all clerics appointed by laymen were deposed and all the lords who appointed them were excommunicated, even kicking out King Henry IV of Germany, who ultimately submitted when faced with rebellion. 

Making up the majority of the books of the New Testament, Paul’s Epistles are important to Church literature. The structure of the New Testament: Gospels (life and ministry of Jesus), Acts (the story of the early church), and Epistles (letters of encouragement or condemnation to different people or people groups). Tending to have different topics, sovereignty is the main theme in Colossians, authority in First Timothy, Law in Galatians, Sanctions in Romans, and Succession in Ephesians. 

Paul wrote Colossians during his time in prison under Emperor Nero in 60 AD. It teaches that Jesus Christ is the creator of the universe, head of the church, and reconciler of all things. Paul wrote this to affirm the Colossians’ faith in Christ. Always beginning his Epistles with a greeting, Paul went on to proclaim the sovereignty of Christ and identified Him as the designer of the world and image of God. 

Timothy is one of three pastoral Epistles, the others being Second Timothy and Titus. Written in 63 AD, the main authority is discussed frequently, specifically authority in the Church. Paul asserted his apostleship by the command of God and Christ. Since the Law of God is not for the righteous but for the unrighteous person, Paul offered a list of sins and identified himself as the chief of sinners. Paul called for the establishment of a hierarchy in the Church: men over women. He also listed the qualifications of Church offices. 

Created in the 50s, the main issue of Galatians was Law and Grace. Paul said the Gospel that he preached was sent by God. Also preaching to the Gentiles, Paul explained that since Titus was regarded as a holy and respected man but was not circumcised, no one else should be. Challenging Peter at Antioch, Paul rebuked him for going back under the old Mosaic Laws of eating and circumcision. 

Written in 57 AD, Romans vividly described the judgement of God and Sanctions. Paul explained that the power of the Gospel is given to all who believe, first to the Jews then to Greeks. A true Jew is one only inwardly, not outwardly, Paul asserted “circumcision of the heart,” for both Jews and Gentiles. Moreover, Gentiles are not under the Mosaic Law, but instead need to know the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. Paul ends by stating that God gave up man to uncleanness, and He will bring tribulation and anguish to those who rebel. 

In Ephesians, Succession and Inheritance are the central themes. Trusting in Christ is the downpayment of eternal inheritance. Knowing all things, Christ was resurrected and ascended. Paul said, “God has placed all things under His feet.” and ends Ephesians by instructing people to respect hierarchies outside of the Church, (families, masters, and slaves) and to “put on the whole armor of God.”