When we turn to the first letter to the Thessalonians we find Paul offering some good theology to a church in need. In chapter four we learn that some have died. Perhaps in the riot that had broken out weeks before or perhaps not. Regardless, the Thessalonians had a load on their mind and Paul provides them with some sound theology regarding Christ’s return.

One of my favorite Peanuts cartoons opens with Linus and lucy staring out the window.  Rain is pouring down outside. Lucy, in a rare moment of weakness, confesses her fright to Linus.  She is worried that if it continues to rain heavily the earth will flood!  Linus calmly explains to his sister that her worry is unfounded because God promised never to flood the earth again and He even gave the rainbow as a sign of His pledge.  To this Lucy responds saying, “You have taken a load off of my mind.”  And in return Linus sagely states, “Good theology has a way of doing that.” Amen, Linus, amen.

When we turn to the first letter to the Thessalonians we find Paul offering some good theology to a church in need. In chapter four we learn that some have died.  Perhaps in the riot that had broken out weeks before or perhaps not. Regardless, the Thessalonians had a load on their mind and Paul provides them with some sound theology regarding Christ’s return.  He begins by helping them with their response.  They are to grieve their loss, yes, grieve.  But not as those who have no hope. He has the Greeks and the Romans in mind. It was Seneca the Roman who said that hope was an uncertain good.

And as for the Greeks there is Pandora’s Box. Remember that the last ill to emerge from the infamous box of ills was none other than hope.  Why you ask? Well, this was one that Nietzsche got right. We often think of Nietzsche as a nihilist and that is certainly true but his philosophical roots were Pre-Socratic.  Listen to his interpretation of hope as the last ill.  He writes, “Zeus did not wish man, however much he might be tormented by the other evils, to fling away his life, but to go on letting himself be tormented again and again. Therefore he gives Man hope, in reality it is the worst of all evils, because it prolongs the torments of Man.”^[1]  So, Paul helps with their response. They are to grieve and have a certain hope.

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