Kitchen Table Theology
Where Coffee, Conversation, and Theology Meet. During my 40 years in ministry, I’ve developed an increasing burden for what I sense to be an increase in biblical illiteracy, not only among those in our churches, but also in the young men and women entering the ministry. Conversely, I am hopeful, because I also sense a hunger from people to learn and know biblical truth and the things of God has revealed to us in Scripture. Our Kitchen Table Theology team has developed a list of over 150 doctrinal topics which I, along with one of my cohosts, Jen Denton or Tiffany Coker, examine weekly. Our goal is to educate and share biblical truth on the same level as if we were sitting at your kitchen table with a Bible and a pot of southern pecan coffee in front of us. Welcome to the table!
Kitchen Table Theology
290 The Patristic Period | The Epistle of Barnabas: Seeing Jesus in All of Scripture
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The Epistle of Barnabas is one of the earliest Christian writings outside the New Testament, offering a glimpse into how believers shortly after the apostolic age understood Scripture, Jesus, and the Christian life.
In this episode of Kitchen Table Theology, Pastor Jeff and Tiffany explore what the Epistle of Barnabas is and why the early church valued this document without recognizing it as Scripture. The letter reads the Old Testament through the lens of Christ, why Jesus is the fulfillment and center of God’s story, and how the “way of light” and the “way of darkness” remind believers that following Christ is not only about knowing truth, but walking in it.
Chapters:
00:50 Introduction to the Epistle of Barnabas
The Epistle of Barnabas is an early Christian document that offers insight into how believers shortly after the New Testament period understood Scripture, Jesus, and the relationship between Christianity and Judaism.
01:35 Who Was Barnabas?
The name Barnabas often points people to Paul’s companion in Acts, but the letter itself does not identify its author.
02:45 When Was the Epistle of Barnabas Written?
Many scholars date the letter sometime after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and before Hadrian’s rebuilding of Jerusalem in the early 130s AD.
04:45 Why the Letter Is Not Scripture
The early church valued the Epistle of Barnabas, but eventually recognized it as helpful Christian literature rather than part of the New Testament canon.
06:30 Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament
The letter reads the Old Testament in light of Jesus and presents Christ as the fulfillment and center of Scripture.
08:00 Allegorical Interpretation in the Early Church
Allegorical interpretation looks beyond the immediate event to see a deeper spiritual meaning, especially in Old Testament stories understood as pointing to Christ.
11:15 The Way of Light and the Way of Darkness
The letter presents humanity as walking one of two paths: the way of light or the way of darkness. Following Jesus means walking in the way of light.
14:30 Why the Epistle of Barnabas Still Matters
This ancient document reminds believers to see the whole Bible as pointing to Jesus and to let God’s truth shape their choices, habits, and character.
“The Epistle of Barnabas is an early Christian writing that gives us a window into how some believers shortly after the New Testament period were thinking about scripture, Jesus, and specifically the relationship between Christianity and Judaism.” – Pastor Jeff Cranston
Sources:
- Background on the Epistle of Barnabas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epistle_of_Barnabas
- Read the Epistle of Barnabas: https://dn760005.eu.archive.org/0/items/epistleofbarnaba00barn/epistleofbarnaba00barn.pdf
👉 Visit Pastor Jeff Cranston on Amazon or his website to explore his books and booklets written to support believers in their walk with Christ.
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Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it but applying it. Thanks for listening!