Friday, May 16, 2014

Friday, May 16, 2014

1 Thessalonians 3:1-13

After reading this passage three times, I perceived in Paul a sense of despair that is turned to relief. More than that, I feel in him an excitement that the faith of the Thessalonians is keeping them alive. For me, Paul is excited by the prospect of seeing the community, just as he feels they will be excited to see him. 

In my theology course this semester, we used a book by theologian Douglas John Hall called Why Christian?: for those on the edge of faith. In this book, Hall explores seven questions about what it means to be Christian, or, why one would wish to be Christian specifically. In the chapter “Why Church?” he discusses the idea of faith: “faith, which as we have seen before, ‘seeks understanding,’ also seeks community… There is something in faith…that drives one to seek out others” (136). 

In verse ten of this chapter of his letter, Paul expresses the hope of seeing the Thessalonians in order to be able to restore whatever is lacking in their faith. Set against the previous verses – which betray Paul’s relief and joy at the enduring faith of the Thessalonians – I do not see this “lack of faith” as a critique; rather, it is a recognition that faith cannot be perfect at all times, but when people are together in shared faith, they can find the strength to overcome any weaknesses. Paul ends with a prayer that emphasizes the importance of others: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.”

How do you find strength in being together with others in faith?

- Joshua Zentner-Barrett