Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 87 No. 2, 2017.
Pregledni rad
1 Th 4:13-18: Eschatology In The Form Of Apocalyptic
Marinko Vidović
orcid.org/0000-0003-0746-023X
; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Splitu, Split, Hrvatska
Sažetak
With the intention to present the message of Paul´s text in 1 Th 4:13-18, the author begins this article with general observations on the rootedness of Paul in the apocalyptic thought that lead to the conclusion that Paul is not a true apocalyptic writer, but a theologian of the history of salvation who discerns signs of God´s activity in history and discourses about them as breaking points. While presuming the reader´s familiarity with introductory and general data on the Epistle, the author continues with a literary analysis of the passage and discovers in it a true eschatological text submerged in the apocalyptic colours. After that he analyses exegetically the text in which Paul replies to difficulties that Thessalonian believers were having because some of their members died before the final reckoning. Without the influence of apocalyptic visions and spiritual movements of the time, Thessalonians were convinced that Christ´s Resurrection and his coming in glory, which Paul has certainly spoken to them about since his first proclamation, are valid only for those who will still be alive during the final reckoning. Paul is trying to convince them otherwise by, firstly, showing them their current state from the perspective of future and, secondly, by preaching to them about future while using apocalyptic motives. Their current state is determined by what has already happened in Christ´s Resurrection with which the future has already begun, while its full realisation, Paul explains, will happen with the coming of Christ in glory in which both the living and the dead, who will first be resurrected, will take part. The only difference between the two, when it comes to the final reckoning, is the resurrection of the dead, although the living will also pass through some sort of change when they are taken up to meet the Lord in the air. While describing the final reckoning Paul used an apocalyptic scenario but not in such a way as to provide an exhaustive report on the final events; instead, he relates, interprets, reduces, and concretises apocalyptic motives in a caring way in order to strengthen hope and confidence of Thessalonians. In the conclusion, author points out that although Paul uses apocalyptic motives and preaching, he is adjusting and directing them via his Christological convictions on the communionwith the Lord in eternity. In this sense, one could say he utilises apocalyptic traditions in favour of Christology, i.e. the foundational Christological structure of his thought influences eschatological understandings and limits his reception of the traditional apocalyptic material.
Ključne riječi
Paul; the First Epistle to the Thessalonians; hope; resurrection; eschatology; apocalyptic; motives/scenarios; salvation; Christology
Hrčak ID:
184992
URI
Datum izdavanja:
20.7.2017.
Posjeta: 1.247 *