The Practice of Hope: Ideology and Intention in 1 Thessalonians (Paul in Critical Contexts)

"Although the political interpretation of Paul is still considered something of a novelty in North America and Europe, it is well established in Latin America and among theologians of liberation. In The Practice of Hope, Nštor O. Mguez brings the insights of historical-critical study and political analysis together with incisive theological reflection. Taking on European philosophical interpretations of Paul, the 'North Atlantic consensus' regarding social stratification in the Pauline churches, and the distortions of 'rapture' theology, Mg̕uez situates Paul's mission in the political context of Roman Thessalonica and reads his first letter in engagement with Latin American realities. The result is a surprising rediscovery of Paul as an organic intellectual for whom hope is always a socially concrete reality"--Publisher description Introduction : Paul's Relevance Today -- Methodological Considerations -- Antecedents And Thesis -- The Urban Character Of The Church Among Gentiles -- Life In Thessalonica -- Social Composition Of The Church Of Thessalonica -- Paul And The Gentile Church -- The Political Analogy In Pauline Language -- The Text Of The First Letter Of Paul To The Thessalonians -- The Missionary Project Of Paul In The First Letter To The Thessalonians -- The Risk And Future Of Paul's Strategy -- An Excluding Option -- The Awaited Revolution -- Excursus I: On The Rapture -- The Counterhegemonic Strategy -- Paul In Thessalonica According To Acts -- Paul As A Strategist And The Christian Revolution -- Excursus Ii: Nascent Christianity Viewed By The Empire -- Excursus Iii: A Hermeneutical And Theological Reflection. Néstor O. Míguez ; Translated By Aquíles Martínez. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 227-238) And Index. Contents Foreword Preface 1: Introduction: Paul’s Relevance Today 2: Methodological Considerations 3: Antecedents and Thesis 4: The Urban Character of the Church among Gentiles 5: Life in Thessalonica 6: Social Composition of the Church of Thessalonica 7: Paul and the Gentile Church 8: The Political Analogy in Pauline Language 9: The Text of the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians 10: The Missionary Project of Paul in the First Letter to the Thessalonians 11: The Risk and Future of Paul’s Strategy 12: An Excluding Option 13: The Awaited Revolution Excursus 1: On the Rapture 14: The Counterhegemonic Strategy 15: Paul in Thessalonica according to Acts 16: Paul as a “Strategist” and “the Christian Revolution” Excursus 2: Nascent Christianity Viewed by the Empire Excursus 3: A Hermeneutical and Theological Reflection Notes Bibliography Index "Although the political interpretation of Paul is still considered something of a novelty in North America and Europe, it is well established in Latin America and among theologians of liberation. In The Practice of Hope, Nštor O. Mguez brings the insights of historical-critical study and political analysis together with incisive theological reflection. Taking on European philosophical interpretations of Paul, the 'North Atlantic consensus' regarding social stratification in the Pauline churches, and the distortions of 'rapture' theology, Mg̕uez situates Paul's mission in the political context of Roman Thessalonica and reads his first letter in engagement with Latin American realities. The result is a surprising rediscovery of Paul as an organic intellectual for whom hope is always a socially concrete reality"--Publisher description