1. H EBREWS ALIBELLUM

2. 1. The world-system can oppress us. Hebrews and 1 Peter were written to believers facing cultural oppression.

3. 2. The world-system can distort the Gospel. 1 John and Revelation were written to believers in danger of accomodation.

4. H EBREWS I NTRODUCTION

5. T HE A UTHOR – A M YSTERY Paul? - NO Priscilla? - NO Paul’s Circle - YES Who knows?

6. T HE S ETTING – A M YSTERY But, some evidence suggests Rome as the destination

7. T HE A RGUMENTS – A M YSTERY

8. T HE P URPOSE CRYSTAL CLEAR Hebrews is an exhortation to persevere in Christian commitment.

9. T HE P URPOSE All the mysterious arguments exist for this one purpose. This is the key to teaching the book.

10. T HE P URPOSE THE GENRE REFLECTS THE LETTER’S PURPOSE

11. I TS R ELEVANCE T ODAY It is relevant for any people on the verge of giving up their faith, or cooling off or not growing toward spiritual maturity.

12. H EBREWS B IBLE S TUDY

13. HEBREWS EXHORTS ITS READERS TO REMAIN FAITHFUL BECAUSE OF: W HO J ESUS I S (1:1-2:4) (focusing on his divinity) W HAT J ESUS H AS D ONE (2:5-18) (focusing on his humanity) A THEOLOGY OF THE INCARNATION

14. The Introduction: Hebrews 1:1-4 The meta-narrative “The Incarnation of the Eye” Ken Bailey “The Son is everything the Father is, except that he is not the Father.” Early Church Saying

15. WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH THE ANGELS? Hebrews 1:5-14 (The Angel Argument)

16. Hebrews 1:5-14 (The Angel Argument) THEOPHANY Greek: THEOPHANIA A ‘GOD APPEARANCE’ A TEMPORARY MANIFESTATION OF GOD

17. OTTODAY T HE I NCARNATION Is a Theophany Possible Today?

18. 1:5-14 ANGEL ARGUMENT 2:1-4EXHORTATION (THE REAL POINT) NOTICE: T EACHING M INGLED WITH E XHORTATION

19. Hebrews 2:5-18 WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR US (His Humanity is Emphasized.) OUR CHAMPION 2:10‘ARCHEGOS’ CHRISTUS VICTOR

20. Jesus is our Priest-Savior and our Champion. Therefore, hold firm to the faith. Hebrews 3-13 THE LOGIC

21. Hebrews 3:1 – 4:13 Jesus is better than Moses. Therefore, be better pilgrims.

22. Hebrews 4:14-10:31 Jesus is greater than any high priest. He has entered the heavenly temple with his own blood. Therefore, do not fall away.

23. Hebrews 4:14-10:31 Two things help us understand these chapters better: 1. He follows a Platonic argument. 2. His argument about Melchizedek has become clearer. (11 Q Melchizedek)

24. Hebrews 10:32 – 12:4 “Be God’s Champions” God’s champions live by faith, even in the face of death (chapt 11). The champion theme resumes again (10:32-39).

25. 12:1-13 Christ is our champion (12:2) Imitate him and endure hardship (12:1-13)

26. Hebrews 12:14- 13:25 Final Exhortations B E H OLY 12:14-17 D O N OT R EFUSE G OD 12:14-29 F URTHER E XHORTATIONS 13:1-25