“Labor and Toil, Calling and Kingdom, Hindering the Gospel” (1 Thessalonians 2:1-16) Episode Five of the Blessed Hope Podcast Series on Paul's Thessalonian Letters
Episode Synopsis:
In chapter two of Paul’s first Thessalonian letter, Paul defends himself against accusations raised by those who had driven him from the city. Paul is not just another itinerant philosopher who wanders throughout the land seeking to tickle ears and gain a following. Paul’s conduct in Thessalonica was blameless and it should be clear to all that Paul not only labored among them but took nothing from them. The gospel Paul preached was revealed to him by Jesus Christ and through that gospel, God’s calls his people to faith in the Son of God and includes them into his kingdom and glory. But Paul then says a number of harsh things about those who sought to hinder him from preaching the gospel–the Jews. These are some of the most controversial words in all of Paul’s letters.
In this jam-packed episode, we’ll discuss Paul’s example in Thessalonica, his doctrine of calling and its connection to the kingdom of God, and then we will address the charge that Paul was an anti-Semite, because of his harsh words about those who sought to prevent him from preaching the gospel.
Show Notes:
No airplane noise in this episode, but there is a truck back-up beeper at one point (faint). Sorry—the perils of a home recording studio.
Links to Additional Resources:
Anthony Hoekema on the Gospel Call and the Effectual Call
A, A. Hodge on Effectual Calling
J. I. Packer on Effectual Calling: God Draws People to Himself
Geerhardus Vos on the Kingdom of God
F. F. Bruce -- A Summary of Biblical Teaching About the Kingdom of God
Bibliography for Season Two of the Blessed Hope Podcast, “When the Lord Jesus Is Revealed from Heaven: Paul’s Thessalonian Letters”
A History of the City of Thessalonica Important background to our series
F. F. Bruce's "Paul: The Apostle of the Heart Set Free" The Life and Times of Paul—Still the best biographical study of Paul
G, K, Beale, 1-2 Thessalonians (IVP NT Commentary) The best all around commentary on the Thessalonians letters (strong on eschatology)
F. F. Bruce, 1 and 2 Thessalonians (Word) One of the better technical commentaries—Bruce is especially strong on background, setting, and historical matters
Gene Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians (Pillar) A very good scholarly evangelical commentary
John Calvin, 1 and 2 Thessalonians (Crossway Classics) Calvin’s insights into this letter are still worth consideration
Music:
(Shutterstock): Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op 92m, second movement, Allegretto (A minor)