Crisis in the Church is not a new phenomenon. In fact, the Church has always been (and probably always will be) involved in some kind of crisis. Even in the apostolic period, which is regarded by many as the Church's "golden age," there were serious crises coming both from the outside (as in 1 Peter) and from the inside (as in Jude and 2 Peter). The three short New Testament letters treated in this volume illustrate the kinds of problems that early Christians faced, as well as the rhetorical techniques and theological concepts with which they combated those problems. The expression "Sacra Pagina" ("Sacred Page") originally referred to the text of Scripture. In the Middle Ages it also described the study of Scripture to which the interpreter brought the tools of grammar, rhetoric, dialectic, and philosophy. This series presents fresh translations and modern expositions of all the books of the New Testament. Written by an international team of Catholic biblical scholars, it is inteded for biblical professionals, graduate students, theologians, clergy, and religious educators. The volumes present basic introductory information and close exposition, adopting specific methodological perspectives while maintaining a focus on the issues raised by the New Testament compositions themselves. The goal of Sacra Pagina is to provide sound, critical analysis without any loss of sensitivity to religious meaning. This series is therefore catholic in two senses of the word: inclusive in its methods and perspectives, and shaped by the context of the Catholic tradition. The Second Vatican Council described the study of "the sacred page" as the "very soul of sacred theology" (Dei Verbum 24). This series illustrates how Catholic scholars contribute to the council's call to provide access to Sacred Scripture for all the Christian faithful. 336 pages.