Thessalonians by D. E. H. Whiteley (review)

520 BOOK REVIEWS The Spirit and Origins of American Protestantism. A Source Book in its Creeds. By JoHN A. IIARDON, S. J. Dayton: Pflaum Press, 1968. Pp. 516. $9.75. Father Rardon has gathered useful documents, creeds, confessions of faith, declarations, platforms of the churches of Reformation origin and of the churches of American origin. The anthology, of course, is not complete and is not meant to be. But it gives good and representative samples of doctrines held by many diverse Protestant churches based or born in the U. S. A. The choice is very ecumenical. It goes from classical texts, like the Augsburg Confession and the Thirty-Nine Articles, to Adventism, Ethical Culture, and New Thought, recording in passing a quaint letter of Thomas Jefferson against the Calvinist "deliria of crazy imagination," defending Unitarian Principles and sound moral principles which are rather puritanical. He writes to Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse: "I have received and read with thankfulness and pleasure your denunciation of the abuses of tobacco and wine. Yet, however sound in its principles, I expect it will be but a sermon to the wind." Perceptive politician! According to one's taste, one will prefer more classical texts or, on the contrary, some coverage of the non-established underground churches. Though the sampling is really quite wide, it is a useful book of reference with two indexes confessional and analytic. It is also exclusively a book of reference. The historical introductions to confessions or documents are very short indeed and I would have liked them a little more substantial. Darthmouth CoUege HanCYVer, N. H. AuGUSTIN P. LEONARD, 0. P. Thessalonians. By D. E. H. WHITELEY. (The New Clarendon Bible Series). London/New York: Oxford University Press, 1969. Pp. 115. $4.00. New Testament scholars are already familiar with the work of D. E. H. Whiteley, especially his studies in the Theology of St. Paul (1964). Quite possibly it was his knowledge of Pauline thought that prompted him to undertake this exposition of the Apostle's writings to the Christian community at Thessalonica. Many of Ius insights into the thought of St. Paul have appeared here in a more concise form. Thessalonians is a short volume, yet one which surveys the entire question posed by these epistles. There are maps, illustrations, and a selected bibliography to assist the reader. The Introduction to this study is proportionately long (31 out BOOK REVIEWS 521 of 112 pages), but necessary if the thought of St. Paul is to be clarified. Whiteley offers a general revue of the historical and critical problems concerning the foundation, development, and life of the Church at Thessalonica. Then he adds a discussion of the major theological, Christological , and eschatological themes which are so important in these two documents. Indeed, he wisely indicates that much of St. Paul's ethical teaching and moral guidance for the Church can only be understood from an eschatological perspective. Whiteley accepts the traditional order of these two epistles (I-II Thess.), though he takes note of recent viewpoints which might suggest some other arrangement of the material. He also accepts the Pauline authenticity of both documents. Nevertheless, he is well aware of the tension existing between them, and he is prepared to admit that Silvanus or Timothy might have written II Thess. under the direction of St. Paul. This might have some bearing on Whiteley's exposition of particular passages, as when he finds certain contradictions in these epistles (e. g., I Thess. 5:1-11 and II Thess. 2:1-12. cf. p. 14). His discussion of the meaning and importance of the apocalyptic element in Thessalonians is sober and clear. No attempt is made to engage in apocalyptic symbol identification. Whiteley's approach to the text of St. Paul is analytical. The Revised Standard Version is used as a basis for the commentary, which appears page by page underneath. Generally, the thought of St. Paul receives primary emphasis. But when necessary, specific words are treated and occasionally Greek is introduced. Some scholarly opinions are mentioned , but for the most part the author avoids disputed issues. His commentary is clear; his style is precise. It is only inevitable that some of his positions...