I think it worth comparing the work of Hebrews to St. Paul. Many of us are familiar with Paul’s thinking on atonement. At times the author of Hebrews thinking can feel foreign as his arguments at times seem removed from us. I find it useful to use St. Paul as an intermediary to help us understand Hebrews better at times. Renowned theologian Thomas F. Torrance produces a nice study in regards to New Testament views of atonement for Hebrews and Paul in his book
A delightful exercise Matt; well done! Here is my tuppence worth using your chart somewhat:
The use of the word confidence, which in Greek is parrēsia, is key. “We may approach the throne of grace with confidence through the living way, which is Jesus, our great high priest.” This sums up Hebrews as I see it.
You are right to try and contrast the old and the new of course, which, for Hebrews, is more about Moses, and what he established, in relation to Jesus, the Son, and what he now sets forth.
I just love the climax of ch12 w its Jrm the New City stuff!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🦋🦋🦋👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Thank you so much Mr. Bryden for being a beacon of encouragement! Torrance I believe echos your sentiment!
“The cross created a past, but only because it creates a new future, or a ‘better hope’ as the epistle to the Hebrews puts it. That is what Christ has done by his redemption: opened up an eschatological vista for faith in which we are already planted in Christ, and with Christ already enter through the veil into God’s presence. It is because Christ ever lives as our redeemer, our surety, our atonement, that our life is set on a wholly and eternally new basis. As such Christ is the head of all things, the head of the new age, the messianic king, to whom the whole of the world to come belongs. That is an eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken, and that is the inheritance in Christ which is freely bestowed upon us.” (TFT, Atonement, 96)
I do find it fascinating the way TF insists upon weaving Reformed notions integrally together with some elements of Hebrews! I’ve a suspicion the former though are the centre of gravity for him 😉
Correctly, of course, TF will like any good, reformed theology, accentuate the covenant motif. Thereafter, what covenantal elements shine? What other elements perhaps become dimmed? It’s the latter I wish to bring into focus.
Opening verses are especially poignant. Sonship comes to the fore. It resurfaces in ch.3 just after what FF Bruce sees as the fulcrum, v.1 - apostle (sent one as God from God); high priest (as human rep). And what constitutes Sonship especially? Learning obedience. Of course, this resurfaces shortly after the opening of ch.12, but this time of ourselves! There’s a nice pair of bookends here, first declared in ch.2. I miss this in your summary.
Then I wish to accentuate the parallel between Paul and Hebrews, freedom of faith. This is why I accentuated that word Parrēsia. For the whole point of the liturgical business of the OT was access into God’s presence. This is now the living way of Christ and therefore of his followers. SEE too Eph 2:18 all built around temple building motifs ... Just so too Heb 12:1 - Jesus’ obedient faith is to become replicated in us Christians. Just so again, RomAns has its pair of bookends - “obedience of faith”, chs 1 & 16.
A delightful exercise Matt; well done! Here is my tuppence worth using your chart somewhat:
The use of the word confidence, which in Greek is parrēsia, is key. “We may approach the throne of grace with confidence through the living way, which is Jesus, our great high priest.” This sums up Hebrews as I see it.
You are right to try and contrast the old and the new of course, which, for Hebrews, is more about Moses, and what he established, in relation to Jesus, the Son, and what he now sets forth.
I just love the climax of ch12 w its Jrm the New City stuff!!! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🦋🦋🦋👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Thank you so much Mr. Bryden for being a beacon of encouragement! Torrance I believe echos your sentiment!
“The cross created a past, but only because it creates a new future, or a ‘better hope’ as the epistle to the Hebrews puts it. That is what Christ has done by his redemption: opened up an eschatological vista for faith in which we are already planted in Christ, and with Christ already enter through the veil into God’s presence. It is because Christ ever lives as our redeemer, our surety, our atonement, that our life is set on a wholly and eternally new basis. As such Christ is the head of all things, the head of the new age, the messianic king, to whom the whole of the world to come belongs. That is an eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken, and that is the inheritance in Christ which is freely bestowed upon us.” (TFT, Atonement, 96)
I do find it fascinating the way TF insists upon weaving Reformed notions integrally together with some elements of Hebrews! I’ve a suspicion the former though are the centre of gravity for him 😉
Perhaps I am too close to the text! Do you mind pointing out a few of these Reformed notions?
Just picking up on this Matt ...
Correctly, of course, TF will like any good, reformed theology, accentuate the covenant motif. Thereafter, what covenantal elements shine? What other elements perhaps become dimmed? It’s the latter I wish to bring into focus.
Opening verses are especially poignant. Sonship comes to the fore. It resurfaces in ch.3 just after what FF Bruce sees as the fulcrum, v.1 - apostle (sent one as God from God); high priest (as human rep). And what constitutes Sonship especially? Learning obedience. Of course, this resurfaces shortly after the opening of ch.12, but this time of ourselves! There’s a nice pair of bookends here, first declared in ch.2. I miss this in your summary.
Then I wish to accentuate the parallel between Paul and Hebrews, freedom of faith. This is why I accentuated that word Parrēsia. For the whole point of the liturgical business of the OT was access into God’s presence. This is now the living way of Christ and therefore of his followers. SEE too Eph 2:18 all built around temple building motifs ... Just so too Heb 12:1 - Jesus’ obedient faith is to become replicated in us Christians. Just so again, RomAns has its pair of bookends - “obedience of faith”, chs 1 & 16.
A few quick observations ... enjoy!