Catholic Epistles
Catholic Epistles are James, First and Second Peter, First through Third John, and Jude, seven New Testament letters addressed beyond one Pauline community.[1]
A diverse collection
Catholic here means general or universal, not Roman Catholic as a denominational label. The name reflects the broad address traditionally perceived in these seven letters, although Second and Third John have specific addressees.
James emphasizes tested faith expressed in action, disciplined speech, care for the poor, and prayer for the sick. First Peter addresses Christian identity and suffering; Second Peter defends apostolic hope. The Johannine letters treat incarnation, truth, love, communion, and discernment, while Jude warns against destructive teachers.
Canonical voices
These letters were received into the canon over time, with some disputed more widely than others in the early Church. Their authority does not require collapsing their different vocabularies into Paul's or setting one apostolic witness against another.[2]
Catholic interpretation reads James on faith and works within the whole New Testament, including Paul's rejection of boasting and his teaching that faith works through love.
References
- Back to citation USCCB: Letter of James — Official introduction to James and the Catholic Epistles.
- Back to citation Dei Verbum — Section 20 on the canonical apostolic writings.