Letters to the Church

Course Description

The Letters to the Church course introduces the cultural and theological background of Hebrews and the general epistles (James through Jude). Taught from an evangelical perspective by respected New Testament scholar Karen Jobes, the course addresses issues of historical relevance as well as connecting these ancient Scriptural books to Christian faith and practice today.


Letters to the Church covers historical background for each book focusing on authorship, genre, date, and content, as well as an exploration of the major themes in each book.

By completing this course, you'll gain:

  • familiarity with the historical background and authorship of each general epistle
  • insight into how to apply the messages of each book today
  • a broad grasp of the themes and content of each book
  • confidence in your growing knowledge through unit assessments and personalized review sessions that include award-winning memory building tools

Course Instructor

Karen H. Jobes

Ph.D., Westminister Theological Seminary


Karen H. Jobes is the Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor of New Testament Greek and Exegesis at Wheaton College and Graduate school in Wheaton, Illinois. The author of several works, she is also involved in Bible translation. She and her husband, Forrest, are members of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, an EPC church in Warrenville, Illinois.

Course Outline

1.   Introducing Hebrews: The Book of Better Things

2.  Famous Last Words: Divine Revelation in Hebrews
3.  The Son is Our Great High Priest: The Christology of Hebrews
4.  “How Shall We Escape?” The Soteriology of Hebrews
5.  Introducing the Letter from James: Prophet and Sage of
     the Kingdom of God
6.  A Christian Letter? Christology in James
7.  The “Royal Law”: Christian Wisdom and Ethics in James
8.  MIDTERM EXAM


9.    Jude: Jesus’ Brother Warns the Church

10.  “The True Grace of God”: Introducing 1 Peter

11.   “Christ Has Left You an Example”: The Christology of 1 Peter

12.  Foreigners and Resident Aliens: The Imatatio Christi in
       Peter’s Ethics

13.  2 Peter: An Apostle’s Last Words to the Church

14.  1 John: Reassurance for Christians in Confusing Times

15.  2 and 3 John: Notes of Grace and Truth

16.  FINAL EXAM

Course Textbook

This course is based on the book Letters to the Church by Karen H. Jobes. While taking this course, you will have online access to most of this book's contents. However, if you want offline access or want this book in your personal library as a long-term reference, you may purchase it by clicking on the button to the right which will link you to amazon.ca. 

Course Details

Letters to the Church

by Karen H. Jobes


14 Units, Self-paced

5.5 Hours of Video

12 Months of Access to All Online Content

3 Credits toward a Certificate, Diploma or Degree

Support by a Clearwater College Professor


Cost: $510 CAN