Catholic Letters

A traditional name for seven New Testament books or letters:

• James

• 1 and 2 Peter

• 1, 2, and 3 John

• Jude

The term “catholic” has been understood in different ways:

1. These letters express the views of all the apostles.

2. They are canonical or genuine.

3. Thus they were distinguished from works containing false beliefs written around the same time.

4. They are encyclical, that is, addressed to general audiences of believers rather than to specific groups, as were some of the apostle Paul’s letters. Of course, 2 John and 3 John are exceptions to this interpretation. 2 John is addressed to a lady or a local church. 3 John is addressed to an individual.