Exploring 2 Peter: The Promise and the Path

Taught by Dr. Daniel Ragusa, this course explores 2 Peter with special attention to Peter’s use of redemptive history in his depiction and defense of the Christian life as oriented toward Christ and the future.

Format

Online
Course

Duration

5 hours, and 38 minutes

Subtitles Included

English

Price

$397
Free

Course Overview

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This course explores 2 Peter with special attention to Peter’s use of redemptive history in his depiction and defense of the Christian life as oriented toward Christ and the future. By the righteousness of Jesus Christ, we have embarked on an eschatological pilgrimage down a path out of this world (1:4) and into his eternal kingdom (1:11). But along the path are cunning enemies, scoffers and mockers, who would cause us to turn back in unbelief, misattributing eternity to the present world order rather than to the kingdom (3:4). Alert to this danger, Peter mounts a defense that will endure these “last days” (3:3) in which we find ourselves by reminding the church of Christ’s promise to come again in power with new heavens and a new earth—a promise given long ago through the prophet Isaiah (1:4; 3:13) but now more fully confirmed by the corroborating witness of the apostles (1:19; 3:1–2). Peter exhorts the church not to overlook the Holy Spirit-inspired history of special revelation as it foreshadows this coming reality (1:21), including Noah and the flood (2:5), Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (2:6–8), the restraint of Balaam (2:15–16), the approaching Day of the Lord (3:11), and even the transfiguration of Jesus Christ on the mountain as a witness to his royal sonship (1:17–18).

This course will demonstrate what Geerhardus Vos meant when he said, “The Bible is not a dogmatic handbook but a historical book full of dramatic interest.” It will also explain the typological use of the Old Testament. Finally, it will shape and transform us as our minds are set on the eternal kingdom—where Jesus is and so our hearts too. 

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Understand the eschatological, future orientation of Peter’s letter to the second coming of Christ.
Apply the promises of God in Christ to the Church as a Pilgrim people, striving for holiness and godliness.
Defend Peter’s apostolic doctrine against the errors of false teachers both then and today.
Interpret Peter’s Old Testament references and allusions redemptive-historically, understanding the typological use of e.g. the Noahic flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Resources and Information

Accreditation
Course Materials
Certification

Reformed Forum is an approved provider of Continuing Education Units through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). As of 6/3/2025, this course is approved by ACSI for 5.63 Bible CEUs. Take this course for ACSI CEU credit.

Course Handouts (English)

Each lesson concludes with a brief quiz, which will assist you in assessing your progress. The questions are multiple choice or true/false. Each question is designed to reinforce basic points of the lectures and to provide a means of self-assessment.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will have the option to download a certificate of completion on the main course page.

Course Lessons

Your Teacher

Patrick Jones - Course author

Daniel J. Ragusa

Daniel Ragusa (MDiv, Mid-America Reformed Seminary; PhD Westminster Theological Seminary) is the pastor of Messiah's Reformed Fellowship (URCNA) in New York City. He is a contributing author in Petrus Van Mastricht (1630–1706):
Text, Context, and Interpretation and has published articles and reviews in The Mid-America Journal of Theology and The Confessional Presbyterian.

Exploring 2 Peter: The Promise and the Path

Taught by Dr. Daniel Ragusa, this course explores 2 Peter with special attention to Peter’s use of redemptive history in his depiction and defense of the Christian life as oriented toward Christ and the future.

Format

Online
Course

Duration

5 hours, and 38 minutes

Subtitles Included

English

Price

$397
Free