David Resberger shows here how the Epsistles of Johnspoke to the emerging concerns of an early Christian community that cherished John's Gospel. The Epistles apply many of the themes of the gospel to new situations. In particular, the Elder, who writes these epistles, reminds his readers. that their love of God must be made concrete inthe lvoe they show thier fellow Christians. At the same time, Rensberger shows how these letters face the problems of theological disagreement and church division, and how they can help Christians today better understand theological diversity and the struggle for church unity.