Because the greeting in 1 Thessalonians 1:1 is from Paul, Silas, and Timothy, the general consensus is that this letter was written from Corinth fairly soon after Paul had left Thessalonica. This is the very first of Paul’s correspondence.
1 Thessalonians 1, pt.1 Read More »
The letter is paranetic or pastoral in the manner of contemporary Stoics (like Seneca) or Cynics (like Dio Chrysostom). In the first part of the letter, Paul presents himself as a father or a nurse, and then he offers consolation to his audience for the trials they have suffered.
1 Thessalonians – An Introduction Read More »
We are not gathering tonight or next Tuesday. We will start our summer discussion of Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians on Tuesday, June 7. Before then, please take the opportunity to read through 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians. Both of these books are fairly short. Also, please read Acts 17:1-15 where Luke tells us of
1 & 2 Thessalonians Read More »
Mark’s Gospel ends with command “to go to Galilee.” This command is not so much an ending, as a beginning, and it is directed not only at the characters in the story but, more specifically, to us the readers of the story.
The Gospel of Mark – Chapters 14-16 Read More »
Mark’s presentation of the Last Supper brings to fruition the eschatology of the Hebrew Scriptures.
The Gospel of Mark – Chapters 14-16 Read More »
Mark 13 is known as the “Little Apocalypse.” In this section , Mark draws heavily on the language and image from the Book of Daniel.
The Gospel of Mark – Chapters 11-13, pt.2 Read More »
Throughout the readings for this week, Mark relies heavily on the Psalms to tell us who Jesus is.
The Gospel of Mark – Chapters 11-13, pt.1 Read More »
The section ends with the healing of blind Bartemaeus who refers to Jesus as both “Son of David” and “Highest Master.” With these two titles, Jesus prepars to enter Jerusalem.
The Gospel of Mark – Chapters 8:22-10:52, pt.4 Read More »
Within these readings, Jesus will twice use the example of a child to instruct his disciples in the humility and utter dependence that he expects of them and us.
The Gospel of Mark – Chapters 8:22-10:52, pt.3 Read More »
The Transfiguration is the heart of this transition section. Here we have Jesus’ metamorphasis from a Galilean itinerant preacher/healer into the fullness of his purpose and being as the Messianic Son of God to be crucified in Jerusalem.
The Gospel of Mark – Chapters 8:22-10:52, pt.2 Read More »
