• Positive signs in Europe
• The Commentary
  Should the worst happen...
• The well-being agenda
  A biblical view of lessons in happiness
• The Lewis revival
  60 years ago saw the end of a move of God on the Isle of Lewis
• Adam, where are you?
  Dr. John Peet asks: 'Is the biblical Adam a scientifically valid concept?'
• Communication in the church
  Understanding our single and married differences
• Any volunteers?
  Calling for wholeheartedness in our devotion to Christ
• Unapologetic Christianity
  A day at the museum
• The Music Exchange
  Love that drummer!
• Notes to growing Christians
  Olympic Christians
• Crossing the culture
  Atwood's ambiguous words
• The Third Degree
  Students on a mission
• Monthly youth leaders column
  Caring for the troops

other articles

• Eric Liddell: finish the race
• The future of the global church
• Marvel Avengers assemble
• 1 and 2 Thessalonians - A practical commentary
• Hit by friendly fire - What to do when fellow believers hurt you
• What the Bible teaches about the Trinity
• Preacher, keep yourself from idols
• The ethics of evangelism - A philosophical defence of ethical proselytising and persuasion
• The first letter to the Corinthians
• The other F-word - Faith, the last taboo
• Charles Simeon - An ordinary pastor of extraordinary influence
• The message of the Word of God
• John Stott, the humble leader
• 'Dear Abdullah' - Eight questions Muslim people ask about Christianity
• Thinking. Loving. Doing. - Glorify God with heart and mind
• Notes for the journey - Following Jesus, staying South Asian
• The crises of Christ - A study on the life of Christ
• What do you think of me? What do I care?
• In the shadow of the sword - The battle for global empire and the end of the Ancient World
• Pastor-teachers of old Princeton

Handsome

1 AND 2 THESSALONIANS
A practical commentary
By Stanley Jebb
Day One. 248 pages. £8:00
ISBN 978 1 846 252 877

The first letter begins with a general introduction giving various details of the apostle Paul, the letter’s author, together with general historical background and introductory information about this letter.

There are five chapters with headings including: The Power of Example; The Model Witness; A Lesson in Caring; How to Live a Clean Life and Present Preparation for the Future Parousia. After each chapter there is list an excellent list of study questions and some helpful notes.

There is a general but shorter introduction to the second letter, then three chapters with the following headings: Thanksgiving and Encouragement; The Great Apostasy and the Revelation of the Lord from Heaven; The Final Requests and Exhortations. Each of these chapters is followed by a similar set of study notes and notes.

Following the very constructive explanations of the text of these letters, there are four appendices dealing with: The Meaning of Heart in Scripture; The Theme of Deception in the New Testament; The Last Things (Eschatology); The Question of Alcohol.

Each of these appendices deals with their subject in a wider sense than the Thessalonian letters and are genuine food for thought. The book concludes with a Select Bibliography.

This book will be an immense help to those wanting to get to grips with this portion of Scripture. The book is not what is often referred as a page-turner, nor is it a technical scholarly book. It will reward handsomely the reader who wants to know the mind of the apostle Paul and his love for a local church.

Mike Swales,
retired pastor, member of Union Chapel in Bethersden, Kent