I Thessalonians

I Thessalonians

From Queen of the Sciences by Sarah Hinlicky Wilson

November 18, 2025 · 1h 12m · Season 7 · Episode 11

About this episode

This episode explores the themes of pastoral love and hope in the return of the Lord Jesus as presented in I Thessalonians.

This oft-overlooked little epistle of the New Testament is very likely the first extant work of Christian literature—characterized by the apostle Paul's intense pastoral love for his congregation in Thessalonica and comforting hope in the return on the clouds of the Lord Jesus. In this episode Dad and I dig into both these themes, the abundance of family language (some of it startling, to say the least!), explore non-creepy ways to affirm the Parousia, and note early themes of Paul that will stay the course as well as undergo development on the way to his late Epistles. We're in our SEVENTH year! Show your support by becoming a Patron! Notes: 1. Sarah's book Forty Facets of the Ascension is available now! 2. Gaventa, First and Second Thessalonians 3. Malherbe, Paul and the Thessalonians: The Philosophic Tradition of Pastoral Care 4. Related episodes: Apostleship Envy, Triple Predestination, Galatians 1, Galatians 2, Philemon, Romans

Topics covered

  • New Testament
  • Christian literature
  • Apostle Paul
  • Pastoral care
  • Parousia

Keywords

  • I Thessalonians
  • Thessalonica
  • family language
  • Parousia
  • early themes of Paul

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Forty Facets of the Ascension

Books & works: the New Testament, Epistles, Forty Facets of the Ascension, Galatians

Places: Thessalonica

More episodes of Queen of the Sciences

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Queen of the Sciences podcast page.