A Discourse Analysis of First and Second Thessalonians

Abstract

This dissertation employs discourse analysis, grounded in the linguistic concept of register within Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), to explore the relationship between First and Second Thessalonians, positing that both texts are authentic Pauline letters. Challenging the prevalent view of pseudonymous authorship of 2 Thessalonians, which is based on alleged situational inconsistencies with 1 Thessalonians, this study argues for a consistent ideational, interpersonal, and textual meaning across both letters, thereby affirming their shared context of situation. Through a meticulous register analysis, this research provides a fresh perspective on the debate over Pauline authorship by demonstrating that the arguments traditionally used to either contest or support the authenticity of 2 Thessalonians—centered around semantic and structural features—do not hold when the language of the texts is closely examined. Moreover, the study delineates how both letters actualize specific semantic and structural potentials related to their registers, thereby generating meanings through various linguistic elements and structures. It scrutinizes claims of internal inconsistencies, focusing on aspects such as eschatological views, attitudinal stances towards recipients, and modes of interaction, to assess whether these purported differences undermine the attribution of both texts to Paul. Additionally, it explores how the Thessalonian correspondence constructs its context of situation linguistically, without relying on historical presumptions, thereby offering insights into the communicative purpose and the thematic concerns of the letters. Ultimately, this dissertation contributes to the discourse on New Testament authorship by suggesting that a nuanced understanding of the linguistic features of First and Second Thessalonians can illuminate their relationship and authenticity. This approach invites a reevaluation of the criteria used in the scholarly debate on Pauline authorship and encourages a deeper appreciation of the complex interplay between language, context, and meaning in these foundational Christian texts.