For tonight, think through how we in the church today are like the Jewish persecutors of the church in Thessalonica. How do we judge who does and does not belong in the Kingdom of God? Who are the Gentiles whom we are certain are not citizens of God’s Kingdom because our reading of the Scriptures says so?
1 Thessalonians 2, pt.2 Read More »
In his defense of his ministry against the Greeks, Paul borrows heavily from the prevailing Greek philosophical schools to justify his authority.
1 Thessalonians 2, pt.1 Read More »
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.
1 Thessalonians 1, pt.2 Read More »
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 »
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.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.31-35, pt.2 Read More »
In the later meditations, á Kempis shows us how someone who is in Christ responds to the hardship. If our responses are different, then the problem doesn’t lie with the response itself, but in our relationship with Jesus.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.26-30, pt.2 Read More »
We were created and commanded to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Deut. 6:5, Matt. 22:37. That love, however, can be bent either internally resulting in pride, anger, and envy, or bent externally towards the material world resulting in greed, gluttony, or lust. Therefore, á Kempis encourages us to keep our love of God alone.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.26-30, pt.1 Read More »
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.
Imitation of Christ – Book 3, Ch.21-25, pt.2 Read More »
