1st Thessalonians at a Glance and Questions for Reflection

[00:00:01] First Thessalonians at a Glance and Questions for Reflection written by Bart Ehrman, read by Ken Teutsch. [00:00:11] I now provide a bullet point list that summarizes at a glance Paul's very first surviving letter and therefore the earliest Christian writing of any kind that we have, along with some questions to reflect on based on this very interesting text. It's a short but fascinating letter. If you don't remember it very well, give it a re read and do see what I've said about it in the Nutshell series. [00:00:36] Here is a quick overview summary of key points at a Glance First Thessalonians is the first of Paul's Epistles and thus the earliest book of the New Testament and the earliest surviving Christian writing of any kind. [00:00:56] 2 It can be used to provide clues concerning how Paul went about his missionary activities. [00:01:03] 3 He evidently did not preach on the street corner or stage evangelistic rallies, and he did not, contrary to the Book of Acts, begin by preaching in a local synagogue. [00:01:15] 4 He instead started up a business in town and talked to his customers, convincing them to accept the Christian message. [00:01:24] 5 Virtually all of his converts were pagans. He needed to convince these people that the Jewish God was the only true God, that Jesus was his Son who had died for their sins, and that God had raised him from the dead and was sending him back soon in judgment. [00:01:42] 6 this kind of preaching activity made Paul appear like the philosophers teaching in the Greco Roman world. [00:01:49] 7 His converts formed closely knit communities that gathered together periodically for worship and saw themselves as a group that stood against outsiders. [00:02:01] 8 After Paul left the Thessalonian church, problems and questions arose, particularly concerning the fate of those who had already died prior to Jesus return in judgment, which had been expected to be very soon. [00:02:15] 9 Paul's letter addresses this and other issues, assuring the Thessalonians that they can retain their hope in the apocalyptic end of the world to be brought by Jesus and that those who had already died had not missed out on the benefits of the apocalyptic kingdom soon to arrive. [00:02:34] Questions for Reflection Pretend that you are the Apostle Paul and you have just arrived in a new town intent on converting pagans to faith in Jesus. Write a speech to deliver to a group of pagans who have come to see you in your workshop. [00:02:54] 2 Suppose you are a brand new member of the Christian Church in Thessalonica. You have been converted by Paul from your worship of the pagan gods and are now trying to explain to your still pagan family why you no longer can worship with them. Tell them why you've changed your views. What convinced you? [00:03:13] 3. [00:03:14] Pretend you are an elderly Christian in the Church of Thessalonica. Fifty years ago, you came to believe in Christ because you heard Paul proclaim that the end of the age was imminent and that Jesus was soon to return from heaven to bring an end to this age of pain and suffering that has never happened. And now, five decades later, your family and friends, who are still pagan, are making fun of your faith as being obviously unfounded. [00:03:42] How do you respond to them?