I have added a new topic for my Thessalonian lectures for the Prewrath Conference. In the April 2000 volume of The Journal of Theological Studies, Colin R. Nicholl published a seminal article, “Michael, The Restrainer Removed (2 Thess. 2:6-7),” demonstrating that Michael is the Restrainer, which would prove to put an end to the “Who is the Restrainer” debate given the cogent and convincing argumentation.
Since its publication, subsequent major Thessalonian commentaries are agreeing with Dr. Nicholl’s findings (not to mention noted Jewish scholars). His article has been published in his important monograph as well, From Hope to Despair in Thessalonica: Situating 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Cambridge University Press, 2004.
For those attending the conference who will be sitting in on the Thessalonian lectures, you will hear me distill and take you through Dr. Nicholl’s argumentation (grammatical, lexical, literary, and Second Temple background). As well, I will be citing important scholars who are now agreeing with his thesis. This will be a privilege to do so since I have studied Thessalonian exegesis with Dr. Nicholl and have learned much from him. It will be an instructive lecture, indeed.