Friday 09 November 2007

Background

The letter of Jude does not make very easy reading! At its heartis the writer's concern to ensure that his reader does not fallinto any of the errors, both theological and moral, which he seestaking place in some of the churches of his day.

There are two difficulties that we face today in understanding veryprecisely what is being said. One is that the theological and moralerrors against which he contends are never described in any detailso that we cannot be sure what they were. It would certainly not bereasonable for anyone to try to draw parallels with issues in thecontemporary Church.

The other is that some of the writer's examples, both from theHebrew bible and from Jewish legends, are rather obscure to us andwe cannot grasp the point they are intended to make as readily asthe first readers would have done.

All that said, we can ponder on the central point of the letter,which is that if we are Christians, we need to avoid theologicaland moral error. The best way of doing this, Jude thinks, is toensure that what you believe and do is true to the origins of yourfaith.

Jude stresses the need for believers to work at the faith they have- to pray and to consciously place themselves in the presence ofGod. Those who do this can look forward to the eternal life thatJesus has won for them.

To Ponder

What would you say is the essential core of yourfaith?

How does a person of faith remain true to theessential core of that faith whilst being open to contemporaryinsights and knowledge?

Is it possible for a Christian ever to be surethat what he/she believes and does is what God wants?