JUDE: Contending for the Faith
How can you explain, defend, or share your faith or convictions as a Christian without getting shouted down or shunned? “Opponents of Christianity are no longer simply arguing that it is untrue or illogical, but also that it's dangerously oppressive. Many of the ethical commands of Christianity and the concept of divine judgment fly in the face of the prevailing norms of our culture. These kinds of moral issues are the chief apologetic challenge of our age” (Chatraw, 11).
In an effort to be more loving and less offensive Christians are having to water down much of their Biblical faith, morality, and convictions. The result is what Jude 4 describes as people who profess to be Christian but are “ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
The letter of Jude is written to encourage and challenge struggling Christians to “contend for the faith.”
Resources for Studying the Letter of JUDE:
Outline for Jude:
I. INTRODUCTION—verses 1–2
II. THE ALARM—verses 3–4
III. THE ARGUMENT—verses 5–16
IV. THE ADMONITION—verses 17–25
Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 547.
Video Overview from the Bible Project