Karl P. Donfried

The Cults of Thessalonica and the Thessalonian Correspondence

Despite the relative brevity of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, there is little scholarly consensus today concerning their interpretation. Whether the issue is the integrity of 1 Thess 2. 13–16 or the authenticity of 2 Thessalonians, whether the problem involves the interpretation of the so-called ‘apology’ in 1 Thess 2. 1–12 or that of τὸ κατέχον of 2 Thessalonians, whether the question deals with the eschatology of 1 Thess 4. 13–5. 11 or of 2 Thessalonians, or whether the query involves the form-critical analysis of either document, there is little agreement among contemporary New Testament scholars.

Justification and Last Judgment in Paul

The relationship between justification and last judgment in Paul has been both a source of division between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism and a source of confusion within much of contemporary Protestant thought. A reexamination of this difficult and troublesome theme in light of the advances in contemporary Biblical studies may help not only to achieve greater clarity with regard to this theme but also to assist in removing some of the falsely erected barriers which still cause division within Christianity. In short, the reexploration of this nerve-center of division could have important theological and ecumenical implications. Such an effort, however, raises the question of approach, viz., the style of scholarship employed in dealing with this problem area. The amount that has been written in this century on the twin themes of justification and judgment is vast; but what is rather disconcert-

A building that still stands

Our final task is to consider the significance of this understanding of Christ and the Christian life for today. There are two aspects to the question. On the one hand, our aim so far has been to elucidate the thought of the letter to the Philippians as a single document. In the previous chapter we have argued for the coherence of the thinking in Philippians with that expressed in Pauls other letters. But what is the distinctive contribution of Philippians to our understanding of the Christian faith? Suppose that Philippians was missing from the canon: would we be significantly the poorer? If we as Christians regard the Scriptures as being providentially gathered together for our benefit in the church, what is the importance of Philippians within the canon? On the other hand, we want to know whether we as Christians today can still live in the same theological ‘building’. In discussing this question I proceed on the basis that, if we are in the same situation as the original readers, what is said to them will also apply to us, but if our situation is different the message may need reapplication. We shall attempt to look at both sides of this question simultaneously as we consider a number of areas where the thought of Philippians may be regarded as in some ways distinctive and also applicable to today.