Quizzing the New Testament : Hebrews

Answer: The name stuck after it was used by a second century theologian who thought the book was aimed at Jewish Christians.

The book has no title and no named author. It was originally attributed to Paul but its style makes this extraordinarily unlikely. Other candidates have included Apollos, Barnabas, Clement, Epaphras, Luke, Priscilla and Silas but none with any great conviction. The task is virtually impossible as there are no biographical details and insufficient clues to allow an accurate dating or even to know who or where the recipients are.

Tertullian was the second century theologian responsible for the book gaining its title. He championed the claim of Barnabas to be the author of, in his words, "The Epistle to the Hebrews". He assumed, from the Old Testament allusions and central idea of Jesus as celestial high priest, that the book was written to Jewish Christians. This has since been challenged by those who note that, despite this, there is the assumption that all of the old Jewish practices have been superseded. This, they claim, makes it more likely to be aimed at Gentile Christians as part of the ongoing debate about what constituted proper Christian practice.

Answer: Angels

"After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs." (Hebrews 1 v. 3-4)

The argument in these chapters is twofold:
1. Jesus is superior to the angels;
2. Jesus became human - "a little lower than the angels" (Hebrews 2 v. 9) - but came through death to heaven, in order that others might do so too.

All of the titles were hits for the British singer, Robbie Williams.

Answer: All of these reasons are given.

"This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will." (Hebrews 2 v. 3-4)

The writer wants to encourage any waverers by affirming the truth of the Christian gospel that they have heard. It was, he says, originally preached by Jesus and subsequently passed on by his disciples. He goes on to reflect the typical view of the early Christians who saw the Holy Spirit as God's down-payment on their salvation (2 Corinthians 1 v. 22). Miraculous occurrences, and the working of the Holy Spirit through people's lives, were taken as evidence of God's confirmation of the message.

Answer: Moses

"Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house." (Hebrews 3 v. 3-6)

Of all the Old Testament characters, Abraham (in whom the covenant originated) and Moses (in whom the Law originated) were seen as the most important. Having said that Jesus was greater than the angels, the writer is now effectively saying that he is greater than any man that ever lived. He will refer to Abraham later in the book.

Answer: Plato

"For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God's presence." (Hebrews 9 v. 24)

The jury is out amongst scholars as to whether the writer is influenced by Platonic thought or merely using a similar idea. The analogy of the cave appears in book VII of Plato's "Republic". His premise is that humans are like prisoners in a cave, chained so that all they can see is the back wall. They have been there so long that this is all they know. Between them and the entrance to the cave are a fire and objects that cast shadows on the back wall. As they are aware of nothing else, the prisoners assume that the shadows on the wall are reality. They are unaware that these are merely copies of the reality that exists behind them and, at an even deeper level, outside the cave.

Answer: The temptation to fall away under persecution

"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 v. 14-16)

The recipients are urged to stand firm because every human trial they may be facing has been experienced by Jesus. He will give them help in their "time of need". Evidence of their situation can be found at several points in the letter but is perhaps best illustrated thus:
"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" (Hebrews 10 v. 32-36).

Answer: The inner sanctuary behind the curtain

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6 v. 19-20)

The inner sanctuary of the temple in Jerusalem was, symbolically, the dwelling place of God's presence. No human could enter beyond its curtain except for the high priest, once a year, on the Day of Atonement. On this day, his sacrifice was to make restitution for any of the nation's sins not otherwise covered (Leviticus 16). Hebrews argues that Jesus does just that for Christians:
"... but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7 v. 24-25).

Jesus is described as being a high priest, not in a physical descent from Aaron, but spiritually from Melchizedek. Melchizedek appears in just three verses of the book of Genesis, where he is described as king of Salem and, mysteriously, "priest of God Most High" (Genesis 14 v. 18). This was, of course, long before the priesthood was instituted. In the centuries leading through to the New Testament, his story seems to have taken on a symbolic reinterpretation as evidenced by the verse that the writer quotes from Psalms:
"The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek'" (Psalm 110 v. 4).

Answer: Faith

Here's the list in full: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses' parents, Moses, those that passed through the Red Sea, those that marched around the walls of Jericho, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets.

These names all appear in the eleventh chapter but the starting point for the discourse appears at the end of chapter 10. There, it says:
"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. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him'" (Hebrews 10 v. 36-38).

It is likely that some were falling away through disappointment that Jesus had not yet returned. The reason for this long list, therefore, is to induce patient perseverance by referring to people that showed faith even though "none of them received what had been promised" (Hebrews 11 v. 39). The logical conclusion comes at the beginning of the following chapter:
"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" (Hebrews 12 v. 1).

Answer: Esau

"See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. He could bring about no change of mind, though he sought the blessing with tears." (Hebrews 12 v. 16-17)

Although Esau may not be a perfect example of godlessness, the story is chosen because it, again, serves the writer's agenda of warning against giving up. Esau exchanged something of value for something that seemed pressing at the time but was of no ultimate significance. When he realised the seriousness of what he had done, Esau tried, unsuccessfully, to restore what he had lost. Thus, the writer is urging his readers to cling to their "inheritance" and resist the trials that might, temporarily, seem of overriding importance.

Answer: Forever

"Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Hebrew 13 v. 7-8)

This is an oft quoted verse that serves two purposes. Firstly, it looks back to those that had founded this particular church and asks people to imitate their example. This, presumably, included courage under pressure and possibly martyrdom. Such imitation is necessary, the writer says, because the basic nature of Jesus, in whom they have faith, is unchanging from generation to generation.

But it also dovetails with the very beginning of the letter in the theological point that is being made. If Jesus is "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" (Hebrews 1 v. 3), how can he ever fail to be dependable, the same yesterday, today and forever?