Deck 19: Paul and His Apostolic Mission: 1 Thessalonians As a Test Case

Question 1

Compare Paul's conversion tactics with other religious and philosophical groups in antiquity.

Answer 1

Paul's missionary activity was more like that of the philosophical schools than the Greco-Roman religions because he preached an exclusive way of life: Christians had to give up their former beliefs in order to follow Jesus. Greco-Roman religions were, moreover, not missionizing religions, while some philosophical schools did actively seek converts. Like Paul, proselytizing philosophers focused on urban settings where there were a number of potential converts. Many were connected to wealthy households, but some, like Paul, believed in working for their living and were not dependent on others.

Question 2

What was the major concern that the Thessalonians raised after Paul's departure? How did Paul address their concern? What does Paul's response tell us about Paul's understandings of the cosmos?

Answer 2

The major issue raised by the Thessalonians concerned how the events at the end of time would unfold and how those believers who had died before the end would fare. Though Paul instructed the people to be prepared because the end of the world was near, it in fact had not happened. Paul preached that the end would be preceded by the second coming of Jesus, and that it would happen suddenly and unexpectedly. The big fear was whether those who had died before Jesus' return had missed their chance to enter the heavenly Kingdom. Paul comforts these followers with the explanation that the dead will be the first to meet Jesus upon his return. Those who are alive at that time will meet Jesus "in the air." His teaching presupposes a three-storied universe: "up" is where God reigns, "here" is where we live, and "down" is where the dead reside.

Question 3

How did Paul's communities operate as a distinct social group? What factors contributed to strong group cohesion?

Answer 3

Paul's communities operated as distinct social groups by meeting privately on a regular basis in house churches. They understood themselves as a closed group, restricted to those who shared their beliefs and commitments. While persecution may have stemmed from this closed-door behavior, this self-identity also contributed to group cohesion. The groups also bonded through their insider information regarding the true God and the end of the age, their support and love for one another, and the common set of rules they shared.

Question 4

Paul's first step in preaching the gospel seems to have been to persuade people that they were worshiping false gods.

Question 5

Some Greco-Roman philosophical schools actively engaged in missionary efforts.

Question 6

Paul's ministry was funded primarily by his prior converts.

Question 7

The Thessalonian church wrote to Paul because some members of their community were living in sin.

Question 8

The closest analogy to 1 Thessalonians from the Greco-Roman world is a "philosophical letter."

Question 9

Paul suggests that his converts in Thessalonica were:

A) Jews
B) Gentiles
C) God-fearers
D) Jews and God-fearers

Question 10

Christian assemblies were similar to:

A) Modern cathedrals
B) Greco-Roman voluntary associations
C) The Temple
D) Stoic caves

Question 11

Virtually all of Paul's converts in Thessalonica were:

A) Gentiles
B) Women
C) Wealthy
D) Highly educated

Question 12

An insula was:

A) The ancient equivalent of a shopping center
B) The ancient equivalent of a modern apartment building
C) A house church in Thessalonica
D) A shopping center in Thessalonica

Question 13

According to Minucius Felix, what did the ancient scholar Fronto accuse the Christians of?

A) Being ethically pure
B) Being cannibals and perverts
C) Perpetrating a hoax
D) Practicing the only true religion

Question 14

Why did Paul stress that he worked hard "day and night" to earn a living?

A) So that he would not be a financial burden on the Thessalonians while he preached the gospel of God, thereby setting an example for other missionaries
B) To make everyone realize the depth of his devotion
C) So that others would see how busy he was and take over the missionary work for him
D) To instill guilt into the lazy Thessalonians

Question 15

Which of the following is unusual about 1 Thessalonians among Paul's letters?

A) The church does not appear to have fallen away from Paul's basic teachings.
B) The Thessalonians believed Jesus was coming back soon.
C) The church was having problems with unethical behavior among its members.
D) The book lacks a thanksgiving section at the beginning.