1 Peter, 2 Peter, and Jude

This book proposes new and comprehensive chiastic structures as well as new unifying themes for the often-neglected New Testament letters of 1 Peter, 2 Peter, and Jude. In accord with these structures, which organize the oral performance of these letters in a context of communal worship, the subtitle of the book, "e;Worship Matters,"e; expresses the letters' main concern. By "e;worship"e; is meant not only liturgical worship but also the ethical behavior that complements it for a holistic way of worshiping God. "e;Matters"e; refers not only to the "e;matters"e; or issues regarding worship in these letters but also to the fact that worship "e;matters"e; in the sense of making an all-important difference to Christian living, not only for the original audiences of letters, but equally for their contemporary audience. Accordingly, this book proposes that: 1 Peter exhorts its audience to worship for life, both present and eternal, through the sufferings of Jesus Christ; 2 Peter exhorts its audience to worship in the knowledge regarding the final coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; and Jude exhorts its audience to worship in the mercy and love of God through our Lord Jesus Christ.