Peter:: A Reader's Companion

By Michael Cannon Loehrer

“This intriguing volume paints windows of understanding into Peter and Jude’s letters. Loehrer fashions a real-life backdrop to the composition of Scripture, employing a unique blend of rich historical information, imaginative dialogue, and compelling drama. His Reader’s Companion, while not a replacement for in-depth study tools, yields insight into everyday life behind the biblical text.”
– M. Scott Bashoor, Faculty Associate at The Master’s University and Seminary, Co-Pastor of Community Bible Church (Anaheim, CA)
This third book in a series of four called The Jewish-Christian Letters is entitled Peter: A Reader’s Companion: True Grace. The Jewish Christian Letters comprise a series of Scriptural novels—historical, theological, and devotional—which transport readers to the first century and back again, leaving them inspired by vital Christianity to live passionately for the Lord Jesus Christ as well as compassionately toward those outside the faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781973693666

Michael Cannon Loehrer

Michael Cannon Loehrer holds an AB from California State University, Fresno, a ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a PhD from Biola University. He served in pastoral ministry for nearly forty years. Presently, he is an adjunct professor of Bible at Multnomah University, Reno, Nevada.

Book preview

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. Particular prominence is given to the Savior of the World, Jesus Christ, and to the Holy Word of God.

Hebrews: A Reader’s Companion – Staying in the Service – The drama unfolds in the first volume 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?

James: A Reader’s Companion – Choosing to be Cheerful – The story continues in the second volume 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.

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

Second Peter: A Reader’s Companion – Growing in Grace – The saga develops further in the fourth volume 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.

Jude: A Reader’s Companion – Fighting for the Faith – The series continues in the fifth volume with Jude deciding 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.

Revelation: A Reader’s Companion – Preserving Perspective – The series concludes in the sixth volume 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 transport readers to the first century and back again, leaving them inspired by vital Christianity to live passionately for the Lord Jesus Christ as well as compassionately toward those outside the faith.

Other Books by Michael Cannon Loehrer

How to Change a Rotten Attitude (Thousand Oaks: Corwin Press, 1998).

Egoless Elders (Bloomington: WestBow Press, 2012).

Porch Talk with Gramps on Parenting (Bloomington: WestBow Press, 2015).

James: A Reader’s Companion (Bloomington: WestBow Press, 2015)

Hebrews: A Reader’s Companion (Bloomington: WestBow Press, 2016)

Larger than Life (Bloomington: WestBow Press, 2017)

Revelation: A Reader’s Companion (Bloomington: WestBow Press, 2017)

Peter:

A

Reader’s

Companion

MICHAEL CANNON LOEHRER

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Copyright © 2020 Michael Cannon Loehrer.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means,

graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by

any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author

except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in

this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views

expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the

views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version® Copyright © 1982

by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-9736-9367-3 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-9366-6 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 6/10/2020

Contents

Preface: Storyline Setting

Book Three

First Peter: A Reader’s Companion: SUFFERING WHILE SERVING

Chapter One: Prologue: The Return to Rome

Chapter Two: Heartfelt Hope

Chapter Three: Stunned by Joy

Chapter Four: Sufferings and Glories

Chapter Five: Godly Obedience

Chapter Six: Respectful Submission

Chapter Seven: Righteous Suffering

Chapter Eight: Humble Service

Chapter Nine: Epilogue: The Eight Pillars

Appendix: First Peter

Book Four

Second Peter: A Eader’s Companion: GROWING IN GRACE

Chapter One: Prologue: Lessons Learned

Chapter Two: The Disciplines of Faith

Chapter Three: License and Death

Chapter Four: Prophecy and Purity

Chapter Five: Epilogue: Last Written Words

Appendix: Second Peter

Book Five

Jude: A Reader’s Companion: FIGHTING FOR THE FAITH

Chapter One: Prologue: Agonizing over the Faith

Chapter Two: Discernment and Distinctions

Chapter Three: Epilogue: Jesus Is Able

Appendix: Jude

Dedication

To my big brother Bill, dear brother indeed,

fellow servant of Jesus Christ and life-long friend

(except when as kids we fought like cats and dogs).

Without Bill this work would not have been possible,

since he supported me and my family through school.

Someday we will walk the streets of glory together

without any assistance from his wheelchair.

Preface

Actual people and true events inspired the following story, though this narrative is largely a work of historical fiction, at times even within a framework of uncertain historical information. Why engage in such a speculative venture? Because imagination is the beginning of dealing with the uncertainties of history. History, after all, is not hard science. History indeed attempts to reconstruct with certainty what has transpired, that we might learn her lessons. However, recorded history often remains closer to fiction than fact. Again, why engage in such a speculative venture? Well, a story provides a picture on which we can hang those facts not lost to time. Beyond that, stories are entertaining, hopefully.

Storyline Setting

AD 60-70

Considering Satan’s Involvement in World Events:¹ The Roman Procurator of Judea, Porcius Festus, ships Paul to Rome to await trial (AD 60). Festus dies (AD 62). The Sadducees quickly appoint Ananus as High Priest before Albinas (Festus’ replacement) can arrive from Alexandria. Ananus promptly convenes the Sanhedrin and hastily executes James, the brother of Jesus, which series of events leads to the Roman invasion of Judea (AD 67).² A few years later, the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem inexorably follows (AD 70).

General Vespasian, who serves on the Roman Senate, accompanies Emperor Nero on a head-of-state visit to Greece (AD 66-67). Nero’s purpose? To posture before the Greeks at the Panhellenic Games. His reason? To bolster his plummeting popularity in Rome. Vespasian’s purpose? To monitor his troops’ invasion of Palestine. His reason? To proximally position himself for a land approach to quickly crush the revolt of the Jews when the situation requires.

Satan strategically locates his earthly throne in Pergamos (Revelation 2:13); a city known for its political influence in northwestern Asia Minor, midway between Rome and Jerusalem. The subcontinent of Asia Minor, besides forming a land bridge between east and west, is strategic to the Jews and to the early churches, having the highest concentration of synagogues among the Diaspora. Many of the early churches start in such synagogues (Acts 17:1-4; 18:4, et al.), but some also provide local strongholds for Satan’s operations (Revelation 2:9; 3:9).

Considering Operations of the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth: Lowly Messianic Jews, Eben and Malka,³ return to Rome from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem (AD 62). They bring information from James (recently martyred) and news from the churches of northern Asia Minor—Peter’s long-time area of interest and involvement (cf. Acts 2:9; 1 Peter 1:1), which news they gather as they journey. These reports will provide Peter substance for sending two forthcoming letters.⁴

Peter’s first circular letter (AD 63) addresses those who have a true appreciation of the gospel of grace. He challenges his readers to rejoice in faith through persecution (1 Peter 1:6-9; 5:12). He also encourages them to humbly extend grace to the lowly, being careful not to excuse their excesses (1 Peter 4:2-3; 5:5). Peter anticipates that rejoicing through persecution will win acceptance from the authorities (Acts 16:25-32). Satan will counter the believers’ joy toward those who persecute them with increased hostility (Job 1:6-11; 2:1-4). Peter also expects that humility will win the lowly.⁵

Peter’s second circular letter (AD 64) exhorts the churches to attain spiritual maturity. The reason? The lustful will otherwise infiltrate church leadership. How? Carnal believers⁶ will condone the excesses of immature believers. Mature believers should graciously allow plenty of opportunities for the immature to grow into godliness over time, but the mature should not allow the carnal or the immature into leadership. However, once martyrdom claims the apostles, Satan will attempt to increase the influence of carnal believers, allowing the licentious to infiltrate church leadership, as Jude will attest (circa AD 70).

Considering the Clash of Heavenly and Earthly Realms: As Eben and Malka bring news to Peter (AD 62), he writes his letters, promoting a respectful approach toward Rome (1 Peter 2:13-17). Paul likewise solicits prayers for those in authority that peace may promote the spread of the gospel (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Rome burns (July19-28, AD 64). The populace suspects Nero is responsible. Nero blames the Christians. He captures and executes Peter and Paul, along with other Christian leaders. The Emperor designs their deaths to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of his ascension to the imperial throne (Dies Imperii Decennalia, October 13, AD 64).

In AD 66, Nero authorizes troops under Vespasian to put down the revolt of the Jews in Judea, leading to the siege of the Temple in Jerusalem. In AD 68, Nero commits suicide. A year later, Vespasian becomes Emperor. In AD 70, Vespasian’s son, Titus, demolishes the Jewish Temple. Thus, Jewish dominance in the early churches diminishes.

Three Jewish revolts against the Romans over a 70-year span forever identify Jews as distinct from Christians, especially the third revolt, which features a different messiah than Jesus.⁷ Distinctions between Messianic Jews and Gentile Christians increase. Grace is understood as laxity, and law is construed as rigidity. Jewish influence no longer dominates the churches as Jews segregate themselves in their synagogues for safety. Subsequently, Gentile Christians dominate the churches, which inadvertently begin to lose or intentionally reject perspective on their Jewish heritage.

Considering Rome’s Influence upon World Culture: Corruption, extortion, and treachery characterize the Roman Senate during the years of the late Republic. Patricians, local magistrates, and provincial governors rob the public treasury with impunity. They sell freedmen back into slavery and confiscate their property. Political positions are bought and sold like market commodities. As with the Senate, so with the populace (SPQR),⁸ who scheme and maneuver until intrigue and conspiracy become requisite for cultivating personal power and prestige. Merchants bribe legislators for laws favoring their interests.

Street people live on the edge of life and death. Subsistence living causes the populace to pragmatically prefer vice over virtue, leaving them with few convictions they would not compromise. Street life functions with gangs much like our modern-day Mafia, freely utilizing brutal mob tactics since the Republic has no police force. The Pax Romana (Peace of Rome), secured by the military, forms a daytime façade for society. However, the gangs of the underworld own the night.

Emperor Augustus attempts to reform the excesses of the Republic, adding a nocturnal paramilitary organization called the Vigiles Urbani (City Watchmen), which form a fixed band of firefighters. He also establishes Cohortes Urbanae (City Cohorts) to offset the power of Rome’s Praetorian Guard and to serve as a local police force. Nonetheless, remnants of the late Republic spawn the evil eccentricities of the fledgling Empire. Romans have learned to conceal ferocity with flattery.

Summarizing the Commingling of Church and State: In AD 286, Emperor Diocletian would set in motion the East-West division of the Empire,⁹ which would eventually lead to the East-West division of Christianity. Emperor Constantine would first sanction Christianity (AD 313) then institutionalize the churches (AD 325). By AD 476, the Empire would collapse under its own weight, resulting in the loss of many of Rome’s social institutions. Increasingly, the Church would garner the authority of the Empire by assuming government responsibilities through an expanding church hierarchy.

Over time, the Roman Church would construe the humble Peter as Supreme Pontiff. His successors would assume ancient Rome’s high priestly title, Pontifex Maximus, naming him also Vicar of God’s Son.¹⁰ The Church would also develop four dogmas concerning Mary’s divine prerogatives, elevating her as Queen of Heaven.¹¹ Furthermore, church officials would canonize saints, fashioning mere mortals as inspirational icons.¹² The focus of the faithful would subtly shift from being lowly in life to becoming larger than life,¹³ veiling pride with pretense. Furthermore, high church liturgy would clash with low church simplicity. Thus, the Empire and the Church will ultimately commingle at the close of the age. The Beast and the Harlot of the Apostle John’s Apocalypse (Revelation 17:1-6) present the worst of male domination and female seduction. Commingled they reveal malignant mankind at its worst, hiding hatred by feigning friendliness, captivating the whole world.

The Church, thus influenced by the Empire over time, would become abhorrent to many Jews and Christians, rendering the mystery of the church¹⁴ a practical impossibility. Christians would angrily perceive Jews as Christ-killers, and Jews would fearfully view Christians as agents of a murderous Inquisition. Thus, the global church-state government—prophesied for the end times—will become a dwelling place of demons and a prison for every foul spirit, such that Jesus will call His people out of her (Revelation 18:2-4).

Michael Cannon Loehrer

Reno, Nevada

May 2020

Book Three

FIRST PETER: A READER’S

COMPANION

SUFFERING WHILE SERVING

MICHAEL CANNON LOEHRER

Chapter One

Prologue: The Return to Rome

Written from Rome, Fall AD 63

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the refugees of the Dispersion: of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit,