The
Message of 1 Peter's first letter turned the world upside down for his
readers. He saw the people of the young church of the first century as strangers,
aliens who were only temporary resident, travelers heading for their
native land.
Peter
speaks to our own pilgrimage when he tells of suffering now and glory to
come. Stormy seasons of persecution were beginning for churches in Asia
Minor. These storms rage on in the modern world.
Edmund
Clowney believes that no true Christian can escape at least a measure of
suffering for Christ's sake Out of his first-hand knowledge as an apostle
of Christ, Peter shows us what the story Jesus life means for us as we
take up our cross and follow him.
Dr
Edmund Clowney is Adjunct Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster
Seminary, Escondido, California, and former President, Westminster
Theological Seminary, Philadelphia.
