Posted on: February 25, 2020 3:16 PM

[ACNS, by Staff Writer] A number of resources have been published to help Anglicans around the world study the book of 1 Peter – the book which will feature during Bible studies at this year’s Lambeth Conference. In addition to a biblical commentary, the Lambeth Conference has published a series of videos from leading biblical scholars, with a different video for each chapter of the epistle.

The resources published last week include an official commentary for 1 Peter. The introduction and first chapter have been made available on the Lambeth Conference website. The commentary will also be made available in French, Spanish and Portuguese. The full commentary is available to purchase from SCM. Bishops attending the Lambeth Conference will be sent a full copy as part of their preparation for the gathering, which will take place at the University of Kent in Canterbury in July and August.

The commentary has been created by the work of the St Augustine Seminar – an international community of biblical scholars convened by Professor Jenn Strawbridge on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The scholars represent a range of Christian traditions and experiences, from Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, India, Ireland, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.

In a short video released to mark the launch of the resources, the Archbishop of Canterbury told of his excitement about the book of 1 Peter. “Peter’s first epistle, will be our biblical focus, indeed the foundations of the conference, to aid us as we come together”, he said. “1 Peter is a book that doesn’t shy away from difficult things. It’s written to immediate pastoral problems. It addresses the challenges that Peter’s communities were facing. It speaks about belonging, alienation, exile, slavery, persecution, being a Christian who is different. And yet, it’s a book that raises an utterly compelling and inspiring vision of the call of God.”

In addition to the commentary, the Lambeth Conference organisers have published a series of videos which unpack 1 Peter in more detail. The videos, which are suitable for use in bible study groups or house groups, include an introductory video by Professor Strawbridge, individual videos for each chapter, and two additional videos looking at more challenging aspects of the epistle in more detail. They are available from the Biblical Focus page of the Lambeth Conference website.

The work of the St Augustine Seminar and the resources it has produced have all been funded by St Augustine’s Foundation, a charitable grant-making body linked to Canterbury Cathedral that supports theological education and development in the Anglican Communion.