Christology in Hebrews
Title Page
Course Name: Formative Christian Thinking
First Essay: 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. The two main portraits that are presented in Hebrews is Jesus Christ as the High Priest and his Sonship in relation to God. This is then supported by a number of smaller portraits pertaining to his character, priestly functions and his soteriological role in relation to the new covenant. His thesis is well thought out and presented in the manner of a theologian.1
One will notice that the author displays a strong Jewish background as he employs his keen understanding of the Old Testament right throughout his thesis. He does this by using metaphors and highly symbolic themes that hark back to time itself founded on God’s promises in the Old Testament. The author compares and contrasts continually between the types, anti types and shadows of the messiah as represented in the Mosaic covenant Heb 7:1 – 10:18. Including the roles pertaining to the tabernacle and Levitical priesthood compared to that of the perfect heavenly expression which according to the author finds its full realisation in the Royal High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. Some scholars like James D. G. Dunn perceive this to be a signature of ‘. . . Platonic Dualism . . .’.2 However, this argument seems to me to have some problems, since we find symbolism right throughout the bible and is clearly demonstrated in Gen 1:14b. According to F. E. Gaebelein ‘Symbolism is as old as humanity’.3 In addition Donald Macleod states that ‘ . . . We have little evidence that the writer to the Hebrews had any contact with Platonism, and none at all of any indebteness’.4
1. Donald Guthrie, ‘The Letter to the Hebrews; An Introduction and Commentary’ Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (2nd series, 1983), p.21.
2. He bases this on Heb 8:1 – 10:18 ‘ . . . along
Course Name: Formative Christian Thinking
First Essay: 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. The two main portraits that are presented in Hebrews is Jesus Christ as the High Priest and his Sonship in relation to God. This is then supported by a number of smaller portraits pertaining to his character, priestly functions and his soteriological role in relation to the new covenant. His thesis is well thought out and presented in the manner of a theologian.1
One will notice that the author displays a strong Jewish background as he employs his keen understanding of the Old Testament right throughout his thesis. He does this by using metaphors and highly symbolic themes that hark back to time itself founded on God’s promises in the Old Testament. The author compares and contrasts continually between the types, anti types and shadows of the messiah as represented in the Mosaic covenant Heb 7:1 – 10:18. Including the roles pertaining to the tabernacle and Levitical priesthood compared to that of the perfect heavenly expression which according to the author finds its full realisation in the Royal High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. Some scholars like James D. G. Dunn perceive this to be a signature of ‘. . . Platonic Dualism . . .’.2 However, this argument seems to me to have some problems, since we find symbolism right throughout the bible and is clearly demonstrated in Gen 1:14b. According to F. E. Gaebelein ‘Symbolism is as old as humanity’.3 In addition Donald Macleod states that ‘ . . . We have little evidence that the writer to the Hebrews had any contact with Platonism, and none at all of any indebteness’.4
1. Donald Guthrie, ‘The Letter to the Hebrews; An Introduction and Commentary’ Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (2nd series, 1983), p.21.
2. He bases this on Heb 8:1 – 10:18 ‘ . . . along
Bibliography: Bruce, F. F., ‘Hebrews Epistle To’, The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopaedia of the Bible (1st edn., 1976), p. 8 Dunn, D Gaebelein, F. E., ‘Symbolism’, The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopaedia of the Bible (1st edn., 1976), p.551. Guthrie, Donald. The Letter to the Hebrews: An Introduction and Commentary. The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Edited by Morris, Leon. Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 1983 Harris, Murray, J Harvill, Jerry. ‘Focus on Jesus’: The Letter to the Hebrews. Spirituality Today 37 (1985)336-347. http://www.spiritualitytoday.org/spir2day/853745harvill.html Maccleod, Donald Matera, Frank, J. New Testament Christology. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1999. Parsons, Mikeal, C. ‘Son and High Priest: A Study in the Christology of Hebrews.’ Evangelical Quarterly 60 (1998)195-216. http://www.biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/hebrews_parsons.pdf Rhodes, Ron Thompson, Frank, Charles. The New King James Version; The Thompson Chain-Reference Study Bible. Updated and Expanded Jauchen, John, Stephen. Indianapolis: B. B. KirkBride Bible Company (1997)