Overview of the New Testament – Part 2
Hebrews: Part 2
A. Understanding Jewish thought and teaching in the early centuries of the Christian Faith
1. True “life” comes from following God. “More torah, more life”
2. To serve God is to worship God (visa versa). Therefore, not serving God is not worshipping God, etc.
3. Very practical concepts. Concerned with mechanics of a relationship to God (Hence the Mishna, Midrash, Tanak, etc.)
4. What does following Christ mean in light of Jewish heritage and worship?
Note this feature of Hebrews: teaching and then an application
B. Interplay (Clash?) between the Greek thought world and the Hebrew thought world.
1. Greek thought more categorical than Hebrew
2. Hebrew depends on associating “pictures” of thought, rather than logically sequenced thought. Example: the kingdom of God is like…. (multiple images). Truth is described through a composite of images
3. Hebrew through influenced by Greek thought, but still highly practical at the end of the day. What does all this mean? Not just philosophical musings.
C. Development of ideas by drawing upon known concepts of scripture
1. Hebrew writer describes Jesus in terms of known scripture and known characters and events in the OT
a. the Psalms
b. events that shaped Israel’s history (wilderness wanderings)
c. examples of faith (Hebrews 11).
2. Seeks not to only “interpret” OT scriptures, but use them in a way that draws on familiar language. Note the difference between fulfillment of prophecy and the use of scripture to illustrate different points.
D. Societal and World-view issues in the immediate context of Hebrews
1. Hebrews likely written during a time of persecution, or coming persecution where the need would have been to hold on to faith (see Hebrews 12:4)
2. Jewish Christians needed to understand how Christ fits into their concept of Moses and other Patriarchs (see Hebrews 3)
Overview of the New Testament – Part 2
Hebrews: Part 2, page 2
A. In relationship to angels / heavenly beings (Hebrews 1, 2:6 - 9)
1. Superiority of Christ in the heavenly realms (1:1 – 1:3)
2. Supported by scriptures
a. Father / Son relationship: Psalm 2:7, 2 Samuel 7:14
b. Kingship established: Deuteronomy 32:43 and Psalm 45:6,7
c. Position in creation: Psalm 102:25-27
d. Victory over opposition: Psalm 110:1
e. Crowned with glory and honor: Psalm 8:4-6
3. THEREFORE: Do not drift away (Hebrews 2:1-4)
B. In relationship to His Brothers (Hebrews 2:5-2:18)
1. Made like us and can identify with us: Psalm 22:22 and Isaiah 8:17-18
C. In relationship to Moses (Hebrews 3:1-3:6)
1. Moses was faithful in God’s house, Jesus is faithful over God’s house
2. THEREFORE: Do not harden your heart: Psalm 95:7-11
D. As High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-10, 7:1-10:18)
1. High Priest of a an ‘eternal’ order: Psalm 110:4
2. A new covenant: Jeremiah 31:31-34
3. Final sacrifice for sin: Psalm 40:6-8
E. As Author and Perfector of Our Faith (Hebrews 12:2-3)
1. The righteous shall live by faith: Habbakuk 2:3,4
2. Stories of faith from Hebrews 11
3. Enduring Hardship: proverbs 3:11-12
4. Encouragement in Hebrews 13:5-6 from Deuteronomy 31:6, Psalm 118:6-7