While Christians may believe that all Scripture is useful (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16), not all Scripture is equally used. 2 Peter may seem an insignificant addition to the New Testament corpus, and has the most checkered past of any work in the New Testament. Belonging to the “catholic epistles,” which themselves are often neglected, 2 Peter was a letter heavily disputed in regard to its authenticity and canonical status. Its debated status in the early church led to it being one of the last documents agreed upon in the New Testament canon, and misgivings continue into the present day. This chapter assesses the evidence and arguments for and against the authenticity of 2 Peter, and challenges its common identification as a letter-testament. The chapter then addresses the historical and cultural elements of the letter and offers a framework for reading the epistle through a combination of key critical methodologies.

The first chapter is titled ‘Applying a Philosophical Approach’, and it raises the question, ‘Can the Bhagavad-gītā be treated as a legitimate participant in the world philosophical traditions?’ Introductions to the Gītā offer an appreciation of the richness and depth of its philosophy; however, if the study of the Gītā is to have scope beyond the confines of Indology and intellectual history, questions about its own claims and aspirations to truth cannot be ignored. What specific forms of life or what moral and metaphysical lessons does the Gītā promote? This chapter quotes various Indologists, theologians and philosophers and argues that it is time to take a step in this direction, that is, to treat the Gītā as a legitimate participant in the world philosophical traditions.

The ninth chapter adopts a somewhat different point of view and asks whether the Bhagavad-gītā can be a source of an educational doctrine. As opposed to the present book, which is mostly engaged with the metaphysics of the Gītā, its structure and the way it gradually leads toward liberation, this concluding chapter aims to look at the Gītā in humanistic terms. Applying our terminology, it looks at the Gītā in first storey terms, with the aim of highlighting some of its major educational elements, or stated differently, looking at elements out of which an educational doctrine could possibly be articulated. As such, this chapter looks into the following topics: spirituality, virtue ethics, conquering lust and anger, following dharma in every sphere of life, happiness, meditation, the divinity of nature and an ecological worldview and finally devotion.

The Introduction explains the ‘theses and documents’ mode of proceeding, provides a quick overview of the period covered historiography, including recent work by political scientists, explains the economic underpinnings of the religious systems analysed, and introduces the concept of ‘deep structure’.

The significance of the Concordat of Worms transcends the limited awareness of the document among its contemporaries: it lead to lasting ritual expression of Gelasian dualism.

The Dictatus papae gives clues to Gregory VII’s mindset but had no practical effect on religious history.