Author Description

The second letter to the Thessalonians, ascribed to Paul, is a difficult text for modern readers. Maarten Menken aims to make the letter accessible by treating it from a predominantly historical point of view, as part of a process of communication between its sender and the original addresses. A new translation of the short Greek text is provided. The book then examines three important aspects of its historical context: letter genre, authorship, and religious milieu. The nature of ancient letter-writing is discussed. Professor Menken offers an extensive introduction to apocalyptic eschatology and considers the implications of this element of the letter for our understanding of its original message. 2 Thessalonians is an apostolic, advisory letter, not written by Paul himself but by a later author who placed himself in the Pauline tradition, and who was at home in the realm of thought and the imagery of apocalyptic eschatology. Part 2 of Professor Menken's book offers an extensive commentary on the letter and examines its literary structure in detail. 2 Thessalonians: Facing the end with sobriety will appeal to theologians, ministers of religion, students of theology and all those interested in biblical studies.