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New Testament. BCM 103 Dr. Dave Mathewson Gordon College/Denver Seminary. Why does Paul not condemn slavery?. Slavery in the Greco-Roman world not racial, more a territory had been conquered, or bankruptcy Circumstances of slavery: not always cruel (mines were other situations were not)
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New Testament BCM 103Dr. Dave MathewsonGordon College/Denver Seminary
Why does Paul not condemn slavery? • Slavery in the Greco-Roman world • not racial, more a territory had been conquered, or bankruptcy • Circumstances of slavery: not always cruel (mines were other situations were not) • Ubiquitous nature of slavery—futile, counter-productive and damaging to speak against slavery, cf. Jewish writing • The spread of the Gospel, equality and unity that would create environment slavery would wilt and die
1 Thessalonians • Chaps. 1-3: Paul praises the readers • Chaps. 4-5: Paul does have some further instruction See 3:13 • Sexual purity • The coming of Christ. Note that each chap. ends with a key reference to the 2nd coming of Christ (1:10; 2:19; 3:13) • Chapter 4:13ff Jewish Eschatology and end times
Jewish Eschatology ____________ _________ __________ Present age Eschatological New Age woes When does the “not yet” occur?
The Tribulation Pretrib _________________ __________ _________ the Tribulation New Heaven and New Earth Midtrib _________________ ____ ____ _________ the Tribulation New Heaven and New Earth Posttrib _______the Tribulation___________ _________ Cf. Matthew 24 1 Thess. 4:15 This is the word of the Lord [parallels]
1 Thessalonians • What problem was Paul addressing? • Why does he have to remind them? • Is it possible when he was there in Acts 17 and he taught them about Christ’s coming and the Day of theLord • Between time he was there and he was writing letter some had died… they wondered if they [dead] were going to miss out when Christ returns
2 Thessalonians • Why another letter to the Thessalonians? • They reacted opposite extreme: they are in the Day of the Lord • Day of the Lord=end; when God would return judging evil and rewarding his people) • Paul’s response: Day of the Lord had not come because certain things have not yet happened
2 Thessalonians • 2:2-12 – Key Section—why they’re not in the D of L • The Rebellion? • The Man of lawlessness? • The restrainer which must be taken away?