The Johannine Epistles Have Long Been Recognized As Contributing A Vital Element To The Theology Of The New Testament. Usually It Is To The Gospel That The Reader Turns First In Order To Explore That Contribution; The First Epistle Is Treated As A Supplement, While 2 And 3 John--because Of Their Brevity--receive Little Attention. This Book Allows The Epistles To Speak For Themselves, And Shows That They Sound A Distinctive Note Within Johannine Theology, In Particular, And The Thought Of The New Testament, In General. Dr. Lieu Carefully Outlines Their Most Important Theological Themes Which, When Understood In Their Original Setting, Are Seen To Have Rich Potential For The Continuing Theology Of The Church. 1. Introduction. The Johannine Letters. Historical Setting. The Johannine Background -- 2. The Theology Of The Johannine Epistles. The Author And The Community. 'we Know': Confidence In The Life Of The Community. 'fellowship With Him': The Language Of Religious Experience. The Tests Of Life. Jesus In Tradition And Faith. God And The World: Election And Dualism. Past And Future. Theology In 2 And 3 John? -- 3. The Epistles Within The Johannine Tradition And The New Testament. The Johannine Tradition. The New Testament -- 4. The Significance Of The Johannine Epistles In The Church. The Epistles In The Church. The Contemporary Significance Of The Epistles. Judith M. Lieu. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 121-123) And Indexes.