A new generation of church leaders

Following the passing of the first generation of Christian leaders -- among them, Jesus' disciples and Paul -- a new generation had to pick up the reins. They faced both persecution by the Roman authorities and wavering faithfulness among their flock. 

In 66 AD there was a revolt against Rome. This was swiftly put down when Titus sacked Jerusalem in 70 AD*, causing Christians to disperse to the far corners of the Roman Empire, which by then was huge. ("The majority of information on the siege comes from the copious notes of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus." (Brittanica))

In a helpful article about the books of the New Testament which follow the gospels, Mary Trammell and Bill Dawley suggest that Jude was written some 40 to 60 years after the horrific events in Jerusalem. A whole new generation would have been born by then. They write:

JUDE

Like the Pastoral epistles, the little book of Jude was probably written sometime between A.D. 110 and 130. It's a stern warning to Christians. The author instructs Christians to be wary of "ungodly men" who pervert the gospel of truth and defy authority. Such people are ungodly sinners, he says, and will have to reckon with divine justice. (See The Early Church Moves Forward in The Christian Science Journal dated May 1993.)

Two passages from Mary Baker Eddy come to thought as I ponder Jude's message.

"If mortals would keep proper ward over mortal mind, the brood of evils which infest it would be cleared out" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 234: 14), and  

"Each succeeding year unfolds wisdom, beauty, and holiness" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 246:25). 

The early Christians have given us a strong lead.

Julie Swannell