1 Thessalonians 2, pt.1
In his defense of his ministry against the Greeks, Paul borrows heavily from the prevailing Greek philosophical schools to justify his authority.
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Scripture
1 Thessalonians 1, pt.2
Paul opens his letter with what will become known as the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. As you prepare for this evening, think through the role that each of these three virtues plays within the life of the Church and the life of a Christian.
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1 Thessalonians 1, pt.1
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.
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1 Thessalonians – An Introduction
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.
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1 & 2 Thessalonians
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
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Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.31-35, pt.2
In classical Western thought (both Christian and pagan), the unencumbered soul will always choose the Good, for that is the source of its existence. Therefore, when we “choose” to follow our base passions and desires, we are, in reality, enslaved to them and not free.
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Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.21-25, pt.2
Jesus gives us for lessons for peace: Do another’s will, prefer less than more, seek the lower place, and ask God’s will be fulfilled in you.
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Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.6-10, pt.2
We want to be the best Christian we can be. But, the example Christ gives us is to be humble, not to be the “best”. In our union with Christ, we are not called to great moral progress or perfection but simply to appear before him with a broken and contrite heart. Ps. 51:17.
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Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.6-10, pt.1
Within these mediations á Kempis continues to caution us to not put our faith in holy things, religious practices, or spiritual feelings. Rather our faith and the object of our desire should be Christ alone.
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Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.1-5, pt.2
Wandering is good when the mind wanders on God during the entire extent of his prayer, on God’s glory and majesty, stemming from a recollection of the Scriptures, from an understanding of the divine utterances and holy words of the Spirit.
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