Problem: Peter affirms in this passage that God cast the fallen angels “down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved for judgment” (cf. Jude 6). However, it is evident from the NT that demons roam freely over the earth, oppressing and even possessing people (cf. Matt. 12:22; 17:14–17; Acts 16:16–18; Rev. 16:14).
Continue reading →
Problem: Some authoritarian churches use this as a proof text for how individual Christians cannot interpret the Bible on their own (“…no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation…”). Therefore, the average Christian needs someone (e.g. a spiritual leader/clergy/other sacred writing/authoritative translation) to teach them.
Continue reading →
CLAIM: Peter writes, “Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:1). Does this support Christ’s deity?
Continue reading →
Problem: The style of writing in 1 Peter is different than 2 Peter. Also the tone used in the first epistle is different than that of the second epistle. How can evangelicals claim that Peter wrote this epistle?
Continue reading →
Problem: Peter claims that he is writing from “Babylon” (1 Pet. 5:13). Is this the case?
Continue reading →
Problem: Peter writes, “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God” (1 Pet. 4:17). Does the Bible teach that Christians will experience judgment?
Continue reading →
Problem: In 1 Peter 4:7, Peter writes, “The end of all things is near.” Does this mean that Peter believed Jesus would return soon? If so, then doesn’t this mean that this was a false prediction?
Continue reading →
Problem: Peter writes, “The gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God” (1 Pet. 4:6). Does this mean that people get to hear the gospel after they die?
Continue reading →
Problem: Peter says that “the Gospel was preached also to those who are dead.” This appears to claim that people have a chance to be saved after they die. But this runs into conflict with Hebrews 9:27, which insists that “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.”
Continue reading →
Problem: Peter writes, “Because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin” (1 Pet. 4:1). Does Peter really believe that Christians can reach a state of sinless perfection?
Continue reading →