In this lucid expose the second letter to the Thessalonians is approached from a historical perspective. The letter is read as part of a process of communication between its sender and the original addressees, making it accessible to the modern reader.<BR><EM>2 Thessalonians</EM> includes a translation of the short Greek text; an historical examination of the letter's genre, authorship and religious milieu; an introduction to apocalyptic eschatology and an extensive commentary on the letter.<BR>Maarten Menken's book will appeal to theologians, ministers of religion, students of theology and all those interested in biblical studies.