A Priest Forever: Christ and the Melchizedekian Priesthood
This article explores the description of Jesus in the epistle to the Hebrews in terms of the priesthood, as a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. This office is thus also described as an integral part of the redemptive work of Christ.
Philo and the Epistle to the Hebrews
Can we speak of an influence of Philo of Alexandria on the letter to the Hebrews's Christology? This article reflects on this question and the relationship between Acts 7 and Hebrews 1-Hebrews 4.
Credit Where Credit Is Due: Paul Wrote Hebrews
This article weighs in on the question of the authorship of Hebrews, and offers four reasons why the author thinks Paul was the author.
Who Wrote Hebrews? God Did
This article weighs in on the question of the authorship of Hebrews, and offers four reasons why Hebrews should be left in anonymity.
Son and High Priest: A Study in the Christology of Hebrews
Who was Jesus? This essay reflects on the main lines of the Christology of the letter to the Hebrews. It is done against the background of Judaism and particularly the Qumran writings. It gives attention in particular to Jesus' identity as Son of God and his office as high priest.
The Christ of Hebrews and Other Religions
Osborne writes this article from the conviction that in Hebrews the conflict of religions is pervasive. He wants to understand the nature of the clash that took place and contextualizes it for current situations. He notes the rhetorical strategy of the author and the centrality of Christ in Hebrews.
Hebrews 5:11-6:20 – Christology and the Concept of Faith
In recent years some scholars have argued that faith in the letter to the Hebrews does not have an orientation on Jesus Christ. Responding to such new exegesis of Hebrews, this paper wants to bring forth the Christological orientation of faith in Hebrews.
The Sin That Will Never Be Forgiven
Through an analysis of Mark 3:29–30, as well as some commentary on the warning passages in Hebrews, this article discusses what the unforgivable sin is and is not.
Hermeneutical Issues and Principles in Hebrews as Exemplified in the Second Chapter
In this paper, the author reflects upon a number of interpretive principles that the author of Hebrews used in his letter, in particular Hebrews 2. These principles are pastoral/rhetorical, Christological, and contextual principles. The use of the Old Testament receives focused attention since that is where the author’s hermeneutical practice is most evident.
“Let Us Approach”: Soteriology in the Epistle to the Hebrews
Colijn writes from the conviction that the doctrine of salvation (soteriology) in the letter to the Hebrews deserves more attention. The images of salvation used in Hebrews differ from the familiar images of justification and reconciliation that are usually in focus of systematic theologies, and thus enrich our understanding of the soteriology of the New Testament. In Hebrews, salvation is a journey toward a promise, a journey toward God. This essay focuses on the basis and nature of salvation, and the results of salvation.
The Angels, Sonship and Birthright in the Letter to the Hebrews
Why is Jesus contrasted with the angels in such strong language in the epistle to the Hebrews? How was the identity and role of angels understood in late Judaism? The angelology of sectarian Judaism is discussed. Exegesis of Hebrews 1:5-14 supplies insight into the contrast between the birthright of the Son of God and the angels.
Archegos in the Salvation History of the Epistle to the Hebrews
What is the function of archegos as a reference to Jesus Christ in the epistle to the Hebrews? Two references occur: Hebrews 2:10 and Hebrews 12:2.
Unshakable – Says Who? He Whose Word Cannot Be Broken
Chapter 1 considers the problem of authority. The focus of the problem may change in different periods of history, but the basic question is always the same: To whom or what should I ultimately submit? How can I know what is true and what is not? Different sources of authority are noted. The chapter is an unfolding of the authority of the Son of God as it is portrayed in the Epistle to the Hebrews.
The First Readers of Hebrews
This paper argues that the first readers of the epistle to the Hebrews were Jewish Christians. The paper attempts to refute the view that the major error of these believers was their effort to return to Judaism.
Riddles around the Letter to the Hebrews
Appetite and Aptitude
Hebrews 8 - Christ's New Covenant (Part 1)
This is the first article in a trilogy on the topic of the new covenant. The book of Hebrews makes the point that Christ is the High Priest who serves as the One who brings us to God in the order of Melchizedek. He represents all of God's people before God. This is part of the main point of the new covenant.
Understanding Hebrews (Part 2)
Understanding Hebrews (Part 1)
This article is the first of two looking at the book of Hebrews. The key word in the book of Hebrews is 'better'. This article discusses how Christ is better than angels, prophets, Moses, Joshua, Aaron, or the Sabbath. Also, through Christ we have a better hope and a better covenant.
The Wilderness-Sufferers: A Pastoral Biblical-Theological Study of Suffering From Hebrews
The author of Hebrews understood the church to be the people of the wilderness. Therefore, he wrote his letter in order to exhort them to endurance, since as Christians remaining in the wilderness they should have expected suffering. This endurance can only come through Christ, by seeing His superiority, incarnation and superior offering, in keeping with the understanding of promise and punishment.
The Eschatological Value of Christ's Heavenly Priesthood in the Theology of Geerhardus Vos
Hebrews - Time to (Re)discover Hebrews
This article is about the main themes in the book Hebrews.
The Supremacy of Christ
This article looks at the supremacy of Christ, especially in the book of Hebrews. The author also looks at the new covenant as being better than the old covenant (relation Old Testament and New Testament): it is more inclusive (it includes Gentiles); it has a better Mediator; a better High Priest; a better King; and a better revelation of God.
The Epistle to Hebrews: Finding Our Bearings
Hebrews 6:6 - Is Conversion After Apostasy Impossible? A Look at Hebrews 6:6
The Perfection of Christ Jesus and Our Perfection
The Priesthood of Christ in Hebrews
This article reflects on the priesthood of Christ as revealed and discussed in the book of Hebrews.
The Use of "Hope" in Hebrews
The word "hope" (elpis) occurs in Hebrews in five places. This confidence that our future is secure is so important to our life of freedom in God's household.
Jesus the Mediator of a "Better Covenant"
The Epistle to the Hebrews reflects the use of comparatives more frequently than any other writing in the New Testament. Twenty-eight uses of comparative adjectives combine with seventeen uses of comparative adverbs for a total of forty-five occurrences of comparatives. This is a reflection of the writer‘s purpose in comparing the old covenant with the new covenant and the glory of Christ.