Suddenness and signs: the eschatologies of 1 and 2 Thessalonians
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Date
29/06/2020Author
Tooth, Sydney Elise
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Abstract
Eschatology is generally and rightly regarded as the most significant topic of both 1 and
2 Thessalonians. However, the nature of the eschatologies in these two epistles—and
particularly their relationship with each other—is endlessly debated in New Testament
scholarship. Furthermore, eschatology plays a large role in the debate around the
authorship of 2 Thessalonians, which is currently at a stalemate. In this thesis I examine
eschatology in both letters from a new perspective: without any presuppositions about the
authorship of either letter. Without making a decision on authorship, in chapters one and
two I analyse the eschatological passages in 1 and 2 Thessalonians, respectively, working
through all of the debated interpretive issues. In chapter three, after discussing theories of
comparison and how, precisely, we should decide whether or not two texts are
“compatible,” I then compare the two eschatologies as outlined in the previous two
chapters. As a result of this extensive comparison I conclude that the eschatologies of 1 and
2 Thessalonians cannot be understood as incompatible; thus, one of the major arguments
for the pseudonymity of 2 Thessalonians must be put to rest. The exegesis and the
comparison itself highlight significant parallels between 1 and 2 Thessalonians and the
Synoptic eschatological discourse of Mark 13//Matt 24//Luke 21, so in chapter four I explore
the tradition history of this material. I argue that the Thessalonian correspondence and the
Synoptic eschatological discourse are both based on an early Christian eschatological
tradition that combined sayings of Jesus with a re-interpretation of Dan 7-12 and applied
this material to the still-future return of Jesus; 1 and 2 Thessalonians together present the
two sides of this tradition—sudden arrival and anticipatory signs—which further confirms
the letters’ compatibility. In chapter five I reconsider issues of critical introduction,
completely re-opening the debate by examining every possible solution for the
relationship of these two letters and their historical situations. I conclude that 1 and
2 Thessalonians are both written by Paul to the community of Christ-followers in
Thessalonica to correct certain eschatological misunderstandings and to shape their
behaviour and response to suffering in light of their expectation of coming judgment and
their returning Lord.