Christology of the book of hebrews

While we dont know who the author of hebrews was, nor the exact time. It is therefore somewhat surprising that the book of hebrews does not begin with the contrast with moses. That remark not only tells us more about luther than it does the book of james, but it has influenced the interpretation of this epistle since the time of the. Christ is its theme with regard to his work as well as his person, for in the teaching of the new testament the person and the work of christ belong together as a unity. Contributors assess the study and interpretation of hebrews across the last two millennia. New testament and second temple judaism scholar eric mason argues that the conceptual background of the priestly christology of the epistle to the hebrews closely parallels presentations of the messianic priest and melchizedek in the qumran scrolls. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. It must be remembered that hebrews is not a christology textbook, but rather an epistle to the church, and so it therefore has a much more practical element than many scholars. The book of hebrews boldly proclaims the superiority of jesus christ and christianity over other religions, including judaism.

It will be the purpose of this paper to argue that the raison detre of matthews christology is to portray jesus as entirely compatible if not with the judaism of his day then with ancient judaic tradition, namely the old testament. The term christology from greek christos meaning anointed one or christ refers to the study of christ. Philip edgcumbe hughes opens the introduction to his commentary on hebrews with some insights into this very enigmatic book. Monotheism and christology in hebrews 1 by richard j. The number of books, monographs, and articles on christology has been steadily. Full text of the christology of the epistle to the hebrews see other formats. The author urges the audience to pay attention to the.

Macleod dean of the graduate program emmaus bible college, dubuque, iowa the question of emphasis or the doctrinal center of hebrews, is a vital one. The christology of the epistle to the hebrews liverpool university. Christology in hebrews 2 february 2017 the author of hebrews contributes several unique portraits of jesus christ some of which are not found in any of the other epistles in the new testament. The theological epicenter of the epistle to the hebrews may be summed up in one word. Carsons spring 20 acts, pauline, and general epistles course at our deerfield campus. Urim and thummim the latter days or last days refers to the time period on the continuum of progressive revelation between the first and second coming of christ. The christology of the letter to the hebrews christian monotheism. Options 24 are all contradicted by the author of hebrews and the notion of the inspiration of scripture. They move sequentially through the book of hebrews highlighting how hebrews might contribute to the whole scope of theology. Again, the implication is that god has not at any time addressed any one of the an gels in sonship terms as he did his son in ps 2.

The word christology comes from two greek words meaning christ messiah and word which combine to mean the study of christ. It will be the purpose of this paper to argue that the raison detre of matthews christology is to portray jesus as entirely compatible if not with the judaism of his day then with. There are numerous important questions that christology answers. Sloan baylor university, waco, tx 76798 to do research on the book of james is to weary of reading luthers dictum about its being a right strawy epistle. The premise behind the work is to move study of hebrews away from the. In a logical argument, the author demonstrates christs superiority, then adds practical instructions for following jesus. Christology encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. Christology is the study of the person and work of jesus christ. The christology of hebrews chapter 1 jesusbarnabas. Christology in hebrews the author of hebrews contributes several unique portraits of jesus christ some of which are not found in any of the other epistles in the new testament. Syllabi tyndale theological seminary and biblical institute. It often includes such topics as the preexistence and eternality of christ, ot prophecies about christ, christs humanity, deity, and incarnation, as well as the issue of his temptations and sinlessness, his death, resurrection, ascension and exaltation, return, three. With this in mind it might be said that the purpose of the author is to establish the finality of the gospel, and therefore christianity. Hebrews contains one of, if not the highest content of christology in the entire bible.

The first section reminds the audience that jesus christ is the reflection and imprint hebrews 1. You are a priest forever second temple jewish messianism. There is a categorical difference, for he is uniquely the son, who, being the. Cosmology, eschatology, and soteriology in hebrews. The prophets of old were many because their utterances were partial and preliminary. Christology is the part of theology that is concerned with the nature and work of jesus, including such matters as the incarnation, the resurrection, and his human and divine natures and their relationship. The letter to the hebrews is a key text in the new testament canon. Schillebeeckx the central point of interest in this letter to the hebrews is the conflict between the impotence and inadequacy of jewish sacrifice or worship in accordance with the torah and the effective grace of the ministry of jesus. The results of his work compel one to conclude that at a minimum he the author studied philos work and probably even that he knew him personally and was taught by him. This contrast between the one and the many is of considerable significance in the perspective of this book. The history of research on hebrews is presented in this volume of critical readings, edited by scott d. Beginning with the patristic period, the book examines the responses of thomas aquinas, martin luther, john calvin, as well as more recent figures such as karl barth and contemporary global interpreters. Christology and hermeneutics discusses the history of the interpretation of the letter to the hebrews.

It is obvious from the contents of this essay that the main emphasis of the author, as i intimated in my opening paragraph, is concerning the function of christ as high priest. Jan 04, 2018 hebrews contains one of, if not the highest content of christology in the entire bible. So instead i offer an apology for why you should read this book. After the introduction, the writer says that the son who is seated at the right hand of the majesty in heaven is superior to the angels 1. I am giving a lecture on the christology of hebrews tomorrow. The book of hebrews plays a crucial role in theological discussions concerning assurance, perseverance, salvation, and the potential loss of salvation. In this video, the first of this series, we find the hebrews torn between two loves.

Matthews christology matthews christology is one that emphasises to a jewish audience the jewishness of jesus. About christology, hermeneutics, and hebrews this book discusses the history of the interpretation of the letter to the hebrews across the last two millennia. Thus we shall give the reader a complete christology of the new testament and at the same time the data necessary to control the contentions of the modernists. Some students of hebrews have concluded that the writer did not identify himself or his readers because he wanted to make jesus christ primary in the readers thinking throughout this epistle. This is a crucial truth that transcends issues of style and form and thus. Later, various modified and qualified adoptionist tenets emerged from. In orthodox christology, the priesthood of christ has been a regular feature of jesus messianic portrait. No biblical document outside of the four gospels focuses as totally and forcefully on the person and redemptive achievement of jesus. A study in the christology of hebrews, evangelical quarterly 60. Sep 07, 2019 in this video, the first of this series, we find the hebrews torn between two loves. Affirm that the author of hebrews didnt mean what he actually wrote. If there is a widespread unfamiliarity with the epistle to the hebrews and its teaching, it is because so many adherents of the church have settled for an understanding and superficial association with the christian faith.

Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. The epistle to the hebrews shares with the letters of paul and the. The main christological concept brought out by the author of hebrews is that. Human elements in the christconception of the epistle transcendent elements in the christconception of hebrews resume. Christological soundings from the book of hebrews by david schrock. The contribution of hebrews to new testament christology dianoigo. It concludes that the first chapter of hebrews is concerned with the status. Home publications journals the southern baptist journal of theology sbjt 184 winter 2014 resurrection and priesthood. The book of hebrews, a contemporary sermon by an unknown author, describes.

So maybe the first step to a higher christology is to. Beginning with the patristic period, essays go on to examine the responses of thomas aquinas, martin luther, john calvin, as well as more recent figures such as karl barth and. They had taken a stand for christianity, but now they were sitting on the fence again, reevaluating. In this second installment of the teds lecture series, we are pleased to bring you four video lectures by d. Sep 18, 2016 affirm that the author of hebrews is wrong in his treatment of the ot citations. Scholars have long questioned the conceptual background for the priestly christology of the epistle to the hebrews, with suggestions including gnosticism, the thought of philo of alexandria, common themes in early christian theology and exegesis, and the creativity of the author of hebrews himself. Affirm that the author of hebrews is wrong in his treatment of the ot citations. The book of hebrews trinity evangelical divinity school. Introduces perspectives on the author, audience, date and purpose of the book of hebrews that can help us interpret the original meaning and apply this book to our modern world. It analyses the books christology using the deductive reasoning employed by.

In this book, a range of distinguished contributors considers the context and formation of early jewish and christian devotion. This chapter presents an essay on the christology of the first and second chapters of the book of hebrews. It has recently received a great deal of attention, prompting a resurgence of scholarly works, and a need to reengage with some of the foundational works of scholarship on the text. Lets begin with what is purported to be the oldest work in the ot, the book of job. The two main portraits that are presented in hebrews is jesus christ as the high priest and his sonship in relation to god. The book of hebrews can be divided into three main sections keathley 4. The doctrinal center of the book of hebrews david j. A third wave was the revived form neoadoptionism of peter abelard in the 12th century. Hebrews, theology of bakers evangelical dictionary of. The christology of the epistle to the hebrews book, 1914. The book of revelation has the thought of believers as being priests unto god, but not of christ as priest or high priest.

Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of hebrews in the bible king james version. As part of our ongoing efforts to provide integrity and transparency in our academics, we are publishing our syllabi online for public viewing. Paul, of the catholic epistles, of the fourth gospel, and the synoptics. In fact of the chapters of the book the first 10 are almost totally dedicated to revealing how old testament types were fulfilled by christ jesus. Courses are categorized as cloud campus and independent studyoffline, but please note that all online courses can be taken offline as well. Find the best commentary on jesus christchristology. An important missing element in todays raging worship debates is a proper acknowledgment of the continuing ministry of the living christ in mediating and leading our worship. Jun 06, 20 they move sequentially through the book of hebrews highlighting how hebrews might contribute to the whole scope of theology. It became the characteristic view of heretical jewish christianity, with its reduced christology. The other circumstances and occasions mentioned above have similarly to do with the christology of hebrews, while also dealing with other topics discussed in the book. This essay will make evident that the author of hebrews presents the three stages of christs existence in 1. This, dunn believes, produces an add juxtaposition of seemingly contradictory themes, owing to the synthesis of platonic cosmology and judaeochristian. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus.

Each video is one lecture on the book of hebrews from dr. The main christological concept brought out by the author of hebrews is that of christ as high priest, for which he adopts a philosophical distinction derived ultimately from plato. Hebrews 1 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary provides notes on all 66 books of the bible, and contain more than 7,000 pages of material. Language courses are offered online and offline, but are. As the term suggests, christology is the doctrine of christ. Hebrews uses old testament quotations interpreted in light of first century rabbinical judaism. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. Beginning with the patristic period, essays go on to examine the responses of thomas aquinas, martin luther, john calvin, as well as more recent figures such as karl barth and contemporary global interpreters. Christology, christian reflection, teaching, and doctrine concerning jesus of nazareth. I have attempted to demonstrate, the three chapters under discussion contain a considerable amount of christological awareness, some of which is explicit cf. Profiles from the history of interpretation by treier, daniel j. Full text of the christology of the epistle to the hebrews. This book discusses the history of the interpretation of the letter to the hebrews across the last two millennia.