A Thief in the Night:

Paul's Apocalyptic Jesus

I. First Thessalonians in Literary-historical Perspective

A. Author(s)

 

B. The Situation (See Dr. Mark's Chronology, 51-52 C.E.)

 

C. Structure

1. Prescript (1:1a)

2. Blessing (1:1b)

3. Thanksgiving (1:2-10; some say 1:2 - 3:13)

4. Body (2:1 - 5:11; some say 4:1 - 5:11)

5. Paraenesis (i.e., exhortations) and Greetings (5:12-28)

II. First Thessalonians in Socio-historical Perspective

A. What was Paul's modus operandi? (2:9; but see Acts 17:6-7)

 

B. Who were Paul's converts in Thessalonica? (1:9; but see Acts 17:1-4)

 

C. What did a "church" look like to outsiders?

 

D. How did outsiders respond to the believers? (1:6; 2:14)

 

E. Why does Paul appear to be defending himself in chap. 2? (2:1-13)

 

III. First Thessalonians in Rhetorical and Ethical Perspectives

A. What was Paul's message while in Thessalonica? (1:9-10; cf. Acts 17:29-31)

1. Serve the one true God (1:9)

2. Wait for the resurrected Son of God (1:10a)

3. Be rescued from God's coming wrath! (1:10b)

 

B. What is the only "major problem" Paul addresses? (4:13 - 5:11)

Cf. "A Rapture Sermon and Conversion" from A Thief in the Night.

 

C. What are Paul's Foundations for Ethics in 1 Thessalonians and Elsewhere? (4:1-12)

1. Scripture

 

2. Tradition

a. Dominical?

(See "instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus" [v. 2] and "the word of the Lord" in vv. 15-17; cf. parallels between Jesus and Paul)

 

b. Ecclesiastical?

 

3. Experience (see esp. 4:1-2, 8-9)

a. The imitation of Paul (who imitates Christ)

 

b. The guidance of the Spirit within

 

4. Reason