Review

The object of this study has been to investigate the understanding of salvation in the first letter of Peter. This study has confirmed the importance and richness of this theme, which plays a vital role in relation to the letter’s purpose. 1 Peter’s soteriological outlook exhibits a salvation-historical framework, in which salvation is rooted in the eternal, sovereign, and gracious electing purpose of God (1:1–2; 2:4–19), revealed in the historical Christ event (1:10–12, 18–21; 2:21–5; 3:18), realised existentially through the proclamation of the message of salvation (1:12, 23), the experience of the new birth (1:3, 23) and baptism (3:20–1), and which will reach its consummation at the return of Christ when suffering and death will give way to life and vindication (1:3–12; 3:18–4:6). While this salvation is offered to all through the proclamation of the gospel (cf. 1:12), it is appropriated (by faith; cf. 1:7, 9, 21) only by those who have been chosen (1:1–2; cf. 2:4–10) and rebirthed (1:3; cf. v. 23) by God, and who, as a result of their election and rebirth, have reoriented their lives to its eschatological promise and present ethical demands through baptism (3:20d–1).

This study has been carried out on two levels: first, by examining the content of the concept of salvation expressed in 1 Peter (chapters 2–6), and then second, given that content, by considering 1 Peter’s contribution to the broader theological conversation (at the level of systematic theology) and by allowing that conversation to shape and sharpen our own understanding of 1 Peter’s soteriology (chapters 7–8). Underlying this conversation was the desire to explore a means by which a more fruitful dialogue between New Testament studies and systematic theology might be pursued. In doing so I have sought to call into question the notion that biblical theology is necessarily more biblical than systematic theology (contra Gabler, Wrede). Instead I have endeavoured to demonstrate that the two are mutually enriching and correcting (to the extent that both seek to be truly biblical).