Romans: A Reader's Companion

The Jewish-Christian Letters
A Reader’s Companion Series

The Jewish Christian Letters present a single story that weaves the facts of history together with the truths of Scripture—along with devotional insights—into an intriguing account of the Christian life in the cradle of Christianity. Prominence is given to the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Word of God.

Prequel

Romans: A Reader’s Companion – Longing for Life The story begins with Paul’s Letter to the Romans. Central to the many themes of Romans is the good news that God graciously resolves various human longings for living life to the fullest in Jesus Christ for all who believe. Romans was written in the middle of the first century as the apostles were establishing churches amidst conflict among Jews and Gentiles throughout the world.

Book One

Hebrews: A Reader’s Companion – Staying in the Service The drama deepens with Messianic Jews facing a life-threatening choice. Should they continue serving their Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, as believer-priests, or should they seek safety in institutionalized religion within the walls of Jerusalem? Paul and Luke stress that either choice might mean death at the hands of the Romans. Yet each choice carries eternal consequences. Will they secure or surrender future rewards?

Book Two

James: A Reader’s Companion – Choosing to be Cheerful The story continues with James explaining his concern that the secretly fierce and socially forceful lifestyle of the mean-spirited Sadducees in Jerusalem would replace the wonderfully winsome spirituality of the LORD Jesus in the early churches. Those who adopt and promote the Sadducee’s leadership style might gain positions of prominence in the church, but they would forfeit their humble walk of faith with God.

Peter: A Reader’s Companion – Believing True Grace This volume contains books three through five.

Book Three

First Peter: A Reader’s Companion – Suffering while Serving The scene shifts from the threat of internal corruption in the churches to external persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero. Peter challenges believers to enhance their evangelistic efforts by joyously embracing trials for the faith, even vicious torture and tragic death, later suffered by Peter himself. He also urges believers to bolster their faith by turning away from temptation.

Book Four

Second Peter: A Reader’s Companion – Growing in Grace The saga develops further with Peter explaining how believers can grow in the grace and knowledge of the LORD Jesus Christ. He warns his disciples that those who turn God’s grace into licentious living will spend eternity in outer darkness, but the pure will endure trials by anticipating Jesus’ imminent return and will spend eternity in His presence.

Book Five

Jude: A Reader’s Companion – Fighting for the Faith Jude decides to amplify Peter’s warning instead of writing yet another gospel. He advises his readers that what Peter foretold would happen was already coming to pass. He then trains believers how to distinguish true from false teachers, instructing them on how they can further strengthen themselves in the faith.

Sequel

Revelation: A Reader’s Companion – Preserving Perspective The series concludes with the aged apostle John helping the church preserve perspective through the ages that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords to the glory of God the Father.

The Jewish Christian Letters thus comprise a series of Scriptural novels—historical, theological, and devotional—which offer to transport readers to the first century and back, leaving them inspired by vital Christianity to live passionately for the LORD Jesus Christ as well as compassionately toward those outside the faith.