Hebrews An Investigation

What Kind of Literature Is This? Not a letter (although it has “epistolary” notes) Not a letter (although it has “epistolary” notes) Not a gospel (although it has similarities to the Gospel of John) Not a gospel (although it has similarities to the Gospel of John) Not a sermon (although this is very close) Not a sermon (although this is very close) More of an extended written teaching designed to be read in public More of an extended written teaching designed to be read in public

What Is Its Worldview? (1) It is built on Hebrew linear thought: It is built on Hebrew linear thought: There is progression to God’s activities in human history, with clear reference points There is progression to God’s activities in human history, with clear reference points It has an undeniable Christological focus: It has an undeniable Christological focus: Everything (past, present, future) takes on meaning as it intersects with Jesus Christ Everything (past, present, future) takes on meaning as it intersects with Jesus Christ There is a clear Christian “new age” conviction: There is a clear Christian “new age” conviction: Jesus’ coming changed everything and we are now living in the new and messianic era Jesus’ coming changed everything and we are now living in the new and messianic era Some see in it a modified neo-Platonist cosmology: Some see in it a modified neo-Platonist cosmology: The “Ideal” is above, while things and experiences here are copies and representations The “Ideal” is above, while things and experiences here are copies and representations

How Is It Shaped? There is a rhetorical weaving of: There is a rhetorical weaving of: Exposition (explaining the meaning of scripture passages): 1:1-14; 2:5-8; 3:2-6; 3:14-19; 4:2-10; 5:1-10; 6:13-15; 7:1-22; 8:3-9:10; 9:16-22; 10:1-18; 11 Exposition (explaining the meaning of scripture passages): 1:1-14; 2:5-8; 3:2-6; 3:14-19; 4:2-10; 5:1-10; 6:13-15; 7:1-22; 8:3-9:10; 9:16-22; 10:1-18; 11 Exhortation (applying meanings & values to life situations): 2:1-4; 3:1; 3:7-13; 4:1; 4:11-16; 5:11-6:12; 6:16-20; 7:23-8:2; 9:11-15; 9:23-28; 10:19-39; Exhortation (applying meanings & values to life situations): 2:1-4; 3:1; 3:7-13; 4:1; 4:11-16; 5:11-6:12; 6:16-20; 7:23-8:2; 9:11-15; 9:23-28; 10:19-39; 12-13

What Is Its Momentum? Jesus is the Superior Way to God: Jesus is the Superior Way to God: Angels delivered the Torah, but Jesus is himself the Living Word (chapters 1-2) Angels delivered the Torah, but Jesus is himself the Living Word (chapters 1-2) Moses received the Torah, but Jesus is a new and living symbol (chapters 3-4) Moses received the Torah, but Jesus is a new and living symbol (chapters 3-4) Aaron and the priests sacrificed daily and yearly, but Jesus sacrificed himself once for all (chapters 5-6) Aaron and the priests sacrificed daily and yearly, but Jesus sacrificed himself once for all (chapters 5-6) Therefore Jesus is like Melchizedek (chapters 7- 10) Therefore Jesus is like Melchizedek (chapters 7- 10) So keep following him (chapters 10-13) So keep following him (chapters 10-13)

Critical Passages (1) But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises. For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” By calling this covenant "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear. Hebrews 8:6-13 (Quote—Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Critical Passages (2) The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 10:1-4

Critical Passages (3) Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:19-25

What Is Its Worldview? (2)

Critical Passages (4) Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. But my righteous one will live by faith.” Hebrews 10:32-38

Why Was It Written? New threats of persecution are looming (2:14-18; 10:32-34; 12:4) New threats of persecution are looming (2:14-18; 10:32-34; 12:4) Many in this community are experiencing a loss of spiritual nerve (2:1; 6:1-12; 10:19-25; 10:35-39; 12:12) Many in this community are experiencing a loss of spiritual nerve (2:1; 6:1-12; 10:19-25; 10:35-39; 12:12) These are thus in danger of losing faith in Jesus (3:16- 4:16) These are thus in danger of losing faith in Jesus (3:16- 4:16) This loss of faith in Jesus appears to nurture a tendency to go back to Hebrew/Jewish expressions of religious identity which do not need Jesus (10:26-31; 12:18-29) This loss of faith in Jesus appears to nurture a tendency to go back to Hebrew/Jewish expressions of religious identity which do not need Jesus (10:26-31; 12:18-29)

To Whom Was It Written? Second generation Christians (2:1; 2:3; 13:7) Second generation Christians (2:1; 2:3; 13:7) Who had come through tough times (10:32): Who had come through tough times (10:32): Publicly ridiculed (10:33) Publicly ridiculed (10:33) Leaders killed? (13:7) Leaders killed? (13:7) Property confiscated (10:34) Property confiscated (10:34) Time in prison (10:34; 13:3) Time in prison (10:34; 13:3) They knew the Hebrew scriptures well They knew the Hebrew scriptures well They had practiced Hebrew religious ceremonies in the past They had practiced Hebrew religious ceremonies in the past But they were likely Gentile in ethnic background (10:32) But they were likely Gentile in ethnic background (10:32)

To Whom Was It Written? Probably to Gentile proselytes (converts) to Judaism who later became Christians

Critical Passages (5) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Hebrews 12:1-4, 12

Where Did These People Live? Judea? Judea? Not likely, since they are Greek-speakers, read the Septuagint (LXX), and are skilled in rhetoric and philosophy Not likely, since they are Greek-speakers, read the Septuagint (LXX), and are skilled in rhetoric and philosophy Asia Minor? Asia Minor? Egypt? Egypt? Cf. Philo, Apollos Cf. Philo, Apollos Rome? Rome? Perhaps, especially in light of 13:24 Perhaps, especially in light of 13:24

What Was the Occasion? The Great Periods of Persecution: The Great Periods of Persecution: Under Claudius (48/49 A.D.) Under Claudius (48/49 A.D.) Under Nero (64-68 A.D.) Under Nero (64-68 A.D.) Under Domitian (81-96 A.D.) Under Domitian (81-96 A.D.) Primary possibilities would be in the early 60’s or the early 80’s Primary possibilities would be in the early 60’s or the early 80’s References to the “Tabernacle” and not to the “Temple” would seem to indicate that the Temple was still standing, for if it had been destroyed, it would support the larger theological argument References to the “Tabernacle” and not to the “Temple” would seem to indicate that the Temple was still standing, for if it had been destroyed, it would support the larger theological argument The textual hints seem to favor the early 60’s The textual hints seem to favor the early 60’s

Who Wrote Hebrews? Paul? Paul? Similarities to Galatians, Romans & Colossians Similarities to Galatians, Romans & Colossians But less personal than Paul’s style But less personal than Paul’s style Also language & rhetorical style different from that typical to Paul Also language & rhetorical style different from that typical to Paul Barnabas? Barnabas? Aquilla and/or Priscilla? Aquilla and/or Priscilla? Apollos? Apollos? Luke? Luke?

The End of the Matter Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16