An Examination of the Role of Eschatology as Motivation for Ethical Behavior through a Socio-Rhetorical Analysis of the Eschatological Pericopae in the Apostle Paul

An Examination of the Role of Eschatology as Motivation for Ethical Behavior through a Socio-Rhetorical Analysis of the Eschatological Pericopae in the Apostle Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians

Clinton Parker | 2021

Abstract

This study examined the role of eschatological motivation in relation to ethical leadership through a socio-rhetorical analysis of the eight eschatological pericopae in 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 10; 2:12, 19; 3:13; 4:13-18; and 5:1-11, 23, as found in biblical literature. The research of ethical leadership was drawn from the literature addressing contemporary leadership theories focused on specifically ethical leadership and its motivational factors. The researcher followed the exegetical methodologies outlined in the appropriate textural gradations of socio-rhetorical analysis. The data were interpreted for principles linking to ethical leadership and eschatological motivation for ethical leadership based on the Pauline writings of 1 Thessalonians. The study results yielded four aspects of eschatological motivation that expanded three levels (low, middle, and high) of motivation for ethical leadership to four, with the addition a highest level as found in the eschatological pericopae in the Epistle of 1 Thessalonians. The results of the research demonstrate a linkage between the ethical leadership and eschatological motivation. The four aspects of eschatological motivation summarize the findings of the socio-rhetorical analysis and serve as a practical guideline for future leadership practice and research.