A theological study of second Thessalonians: a comprehensive study of the thought of the epistle and its sources

Abstract

This thesis aims to build up a picture of the Thessalonian community, its beginning and early problems, as these are reflected in 2 Thessalonians. It is entitled a "theological study" because the main concerns are the meaning and interpretation of the epistle; historical and linguistic questions are not of primary importance. We follow through the birth of the community, its structure and its problems. Section A begins by examining 2 Thess 2.13f where we find the idea of election, which logically and chronologically precedes conversion, and proceeds to the founding of the community through Paul's mission. Section B turns to the apocalyptic passage, 2.1-12, and this section contains the bulk of the thesis. A discussion of apocalyptic literature in general attempts to define the essence of apocalyptic; the results of this investigation are then applied to 2 Thess 2.1-12 to discover how and why Paul has used apocalyptic here. Many interpretations of 2.1-12 are outlined and assessed in turn, and finally our preferred interpretation is explained. In Section C we consider first the apocalyptic error itself, its nature and source. Then the problems of persecution and idleness are discussed. These latter two problems are studied with a view to discovering how far they have contributed to the apocalyptic error and disturbance. Three excursuses follow the main body of the thesis. The first considers wider issues of apocalyptic - the meaning of apocalyptic and its lasting value and truth. The second excursus is a criticism of the hypothesis that 2 Thessalonians is a non- Pauline imitation of 1 Thessalonians, as this theory is argued by W. Wrede. The third excursus is a brief comment on the place of prayers within the epistles and especially in 2 Thessalonians, from the point of view of their psychological effect on the readers.