Day 70: It's not the End of the World .... Yet

Paul writes a second, even shorter letter to the church in Thessalonica.  Again, he encourages them, prays for them, admonishes them.  There a some great phrases in this short letter.  I love how he calls the Thessalonians "the first fruits", and how he tells them that God has chosen them "from the beginning."  Paul's perspective:  God chooses us from the beginning of time, but I don't think it's a simple determinism, the way we look at it.  But it's a way of looking at the world and our lives as a story that God is writing.

The main reason Paul is writing back to the Thessalonians is this, though:  it's because the idea of "the end of the world" has infected the community with some unfortunate practices.  Some have even been telling them that the Day has already come, and some people think this is an excuse for lax moral behavior.

So Paul tells them that no, the Day has not come yet, and there are things they ought to watch for, things that must happen before the Lord returns.    He also lets them know that even though they believe the Lord is near, they need to keep working and keep living together.  (Paul's comments about people who eat need to work as well imply that the church in Thessalonica lives together communally, working and living together, and sharing what they produce.)  And while I in no way mean to excuse laziness in anyone, I think Paul's comments regarding eating and working are taken out of context when we use them to refer only (in our day) to people who are out of work and receiving government assistance.  Some interpreters believe those who ate without working may have been "idle rich", who were not contributing to the whole community.  For my money, I'm more interested in that second, more neglected phrase,  "they aren't working, but they are meddling in other people's business."  Really makes me wonder what they are meddling about......

Do you notice that at the end of letters, Paul often says that he is now writing in his own hand?  Most of the letter is dictated, but at the end he provides authenticity by signing his own name.

Tomorrow, we will head over to 1 Timothy.....

Day 69: Paul's First Letter

The letter of Paul to the church in Thessalonica is the very earliest piece of Christian literature we have: it is earliest letter Paul wrote, and earlier than all four gospels.  So we have a small glimpse into the spread of the gospel not so long after the death and resurrection of Jesus.

This short letter is filled with thanksgiving for the community, for their reception of the gospel, for their faithfulness.  Paul also admonishes them to holy living, and reminds them that he believes that the Lord Jesus is coming soon.  Not that they have a time or a date set, but they are waiting eagerly for the return of Jesus.  In fact, one of the concerns that the people of Thessalonica have is that they had at first believed that none of them would die before Jesus' return.  Now the unthinkable has happened, and a few of the members of their community have died.  What are they to think about this?

Paul gives them a picture of what he believes will happen:  those who have died, will rise first, and then those who are still alive will go up to meet the Lord in the air.  (I suspect that this is where the term "rapture", which is not found in the Bible, originates.  I'm not sure why it came to be called "the rapture".)  As well, Paul cautions the church members not to grieve "as those who have no hope."  Even though some of them have died, they have hope of the new kingdom and the new life God is preparing for them, and preparing them for.

It's unfortunate, but I suppose unavoidable given the context that Paul disparages "the Jews":  unavoidable because at this time the chief opposition to the spread of the message of Jesus came from Jewish leaders.  It is unfortunate, because rhetoric like this has contributed greatly to great persecution of Jews by Christians throughout many centuries.  While we are at it, we might notice that when Paul admonishes the congregation, he also urges them not to be like the Gentiles, "who don't know right from wrong."    (By the way, most of us who are reading these letters are Gentiles.)

At the end of the letter, Paul gives many memorable, pithy words of encouragement.  Short as haiku, simple and profound, words like "Pray without ceasing" and "Rejoice always" and "Give thanks in every situation" haunt us, because we can remember them.

The Lord may not be coming tomorrow, but the Lord is near.  Do not quench the Holy Spirit.  Just don't.