Episode 26: A little encouragement, please!
Download MP3Although at this point in the letter John hasn’t mentioned it yet, some people have left the community. People who have been through church splits know the pain and confusion that follows. That may explain the strangely poetic verses in the middle of chapter 2, in which he cheers on the people he characterizes (probably metaphorically) as “children,” “fathers,” and “young men.” In this and the following two episodes, we explore the possible meaning and implication of his pastoral encouragement.
Although at this point in the letter John hasn’t mentioned it yet, some people have left the community. People who have been through church splits know the pain and confusion that follows. That may explain the strangely poetic verses in the middle of chapter 2, in which he cheers on the people he characterizes (probably metaphorically) as “children,” “fathers,” and “young men.” In this and the following two episodes, we explore the possible meaning and implication of his pastoral encouragement.
