Levitical Sacrifice and Heavenly Cult in Hebrews

Levitical Sacrifice and Heavenly Cult in Hebrews
Author: Benjamin J. Ribbens
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
Total Pages: 316
Release: 2016-06-06
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 3110477130

This monograph examines Hebrews’ understanding of the relationship between old covenant sacrifices and Christ’s new covenant sacrifice, especially as it relates to the question of efficacy. Most scholars think the author of Hebrews strips the levitical sacrifices of most, if not all, efficacy, but this work affirms a more positive depiction of the levitical sacrifices. A mystical apocalyptic tradition stands behind Hebrews’ description of the heavenly cult , which establishes the framework for relating the levitical sacrifice to Christ’s sacrifice. The earthly, levitical cult was efficacious when it corresponded to or synchronized with the heavenly sacrifice of Christ. Still, the author of Hebrews develops the notion of the heavenly cult in unique ways, as Christ’s sacrifice both validates the earthly practice but also, due to his new covenant theology, calls for its end. Ribbens’ bold proposal joins a growing number of scholars that place Hebrews in the mystical apocalyptic tradition, highlights positive statements in Hebrews related to the efficacy of levitical sacrifices that are often overlooked, and relies on the heavenly cult to reconcile the positive and negative descriptions of the levitical cult.

Levitical Sacrifice and Heavenly Cult in Hebrews

Levitical Sacrifice and Heavenly Cult in Hebrews
Author: Benjamin J. Ribbens
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
Total Pages: 323
Release: 2016-06-06
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 3110475898

This monograph examines Hebrews’ understanding of the relationship between old covenant sacrifices and Christ’s new covenant sacrifice, especially as it relates to the question of efficacy. Most scholars think the author of Hebrews strips the levitical sacrifices of most, if not all, efficacy, but this work affirms a more positive depiction of the levitical sacrifices. A mystical apocalyptic tradition stands behind Hebrews’ description of the heavenly cult , which establishes the framework for relating the levitical sacrifice to Christ’s sacrifice. The earthly, levitical cult was efficacious when it corresponded to or synchronized with the heavenly sacrifice of Christ. Still, the author of Hebrews develops the notion of the heavenly cult in unique ways, as Christ’s sacrifice both validates the earthly practice but also, due to his new covenant theology, calls for its end. Ribbens’ bold proposal joins a growing number of scholars that place Hebrews in the mystical apocalyptic tradition, highlights positive statements in Hebrews related to the efficacy of levitical sacrifices that are often overlooked, and relies on the heavenly cult to reconcile the positive and negative descriptions of the levitical cult.

Godly Fear or Ungodly Failure?

Godly Fear or Ungodly Failure?
Author: Michael Kibbe
Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG
Total Pages: 333
Release: 2016-05-10
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 311042276X

A cursory glance at Hebrews' critique of Israel's fear at Sinai in Heb 12:18-29 suggests that the author has misunderstood or manipulated his sources. In the Pentateuch, the appointment of Moses as Israel's mediator receives explicit approval (Exod 19:9; Deut 5:28), while Heb 12:25 labels their request for mediation a "refusal" to heed the word of God. This book argues that Hebrews' use of the Sinai narratives resides on a complex trajectory established by four points: the Sinai covenant according to Exodus, the reenactment of that covenant according to Deuteronomy, the call for a NEW covenant according to Jeremiah, and the present reality of that covenant established by God and mediated by Jesus Christ. The basis for Hebrews' critique arises from its insight that while Israel's request established covenant-from-a-distance, Jesus demonstrates that true covenant mediation brings two parties into a single space. The purpose for Hebrews critique lies in its summons to Zion, the mountain on which Jesus sits at the right hand of God as the high priestly mediator of the new covenant.

So Great a Salvation

So Great a Salvation
Author: Jon C. Laansma
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2019-06-27
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0567657248

This volume presents a dialogue between historians, exegetes, and theologians on the background and key themes of the atonement in Hebrews. Presenting a range of differing perspectives and contributing to the renewed conversation between biblical and theological scholarship, the argument is structured in two parts: contexts and themes within Hebrews. Focusing on atonement not only in the Old Testament but also in the Greco-Roman world, and touching on themes such as sacrifice, plight and solution, and faith, these contributions shed light on the concept of the atonement in a directly scriptural way. The whole is a definitive collection of studies on the atonement in Hebrews that will be of service well beyond the confines of Hebrews' specialists, a collection as important for what it says about the atonement and the 21st century church as for what it says about Hebrews.

Divine Discourse in the Epistle to the Hebrews

Divine Discourse in the Epistle to the Hebrews
Author: Madison N. Pierce
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 251
Release: 2020-07-23
Genre: Bibles
ISBN: 1108495419

Demonstrates how quotations are used in Hebrews to develop its characterization of God - Father, Son, and Spirit.

The Spatiotemporal Eschatology of Hebrews

The Spatiotemporal Eschatology of Hebrews
Author: Luke Woo
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 267
Release: 2024-07-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0567714985

There are two coexisting realities classified under New Testament eschatology: the temporal and spatial. While much scholarly attention has focused on the temporal, Luke Woo argues that the spatial aspect is either neglected or relegated to Platonic or cosmological categories. Woo thus seeks to provide a holistic understanding, by investigating these realities for believers under the heavenly tabernacle motif in the Epistle to the Hebrews. Woo posits that the author of Hebrews presents the heavenly tabernacle and all its high priestly activity in order to eschatologically situate, orient, and ground believers; thus enabling believers to actualize their heavenly, priestly identity by serving as priests on earth. Woo uses Edward Soja's Tripartite Critical Spatiality to analyze the heavenly tabernacle's Firstspace, Secondspace, and Thirdspace features found in Hebrews 4:14; 8:1–5; 9:1–14. He suggests that Christ, in his resurrection and ascension, enters an actualized, heavenly tabernacle, which allows believers to spiritually occupy that sanctuary space in the presence of God, establishing a spatial orientation for believers who can identify as heavenly priests and be motivated to serve as such as they live on earth.

Jesus' Death and Heavenly Offering in Hebrews

Jesus' Death and Heavenly Offering in Hebrews
Author: R. B. Jamieson
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2019
Genre: Bibles
ISBN: 1108474438

Examines Hebrews' exposition of Jesus' death, his self-offering in heaven at his ascension, and the link between them.

The Bible and the Priesthood (A Catholic Biblical Theology of the Sacraments)

The Bible and the Priesthood (A Catholic Biblical Theology of the Sacraments)
Author: Anthony OP Giambrone
Publisher: Baker Academic
Total Pages: 324
Release: 2022-11-15
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1493438026

This series on the seven Sacraments provides readers with a deeper appreciation of God's gifts and call in the Sacraments through a renewed encounter with God's Word. In this volume, a leading Catholic scholar offers a biblical theology of the priesthood rooted in the Old and New Testaments. Half a millennium after the Protestant Reformation and in the midst of an ongoing clerical crisis in the Catholic Church, this book presents a comprehensive biblical vision and defense of the sacramental priesthood and an informed theological response to the problem of priestly sin. It gives expression to the ministerial priesthood's biblically grounded, sacramental share in the sacrificial ministry of Jesus Christ. Series editors are Timothy C. Gray and John Sehorn. Gray is president of the Augustine Institute, which has one million subscribers to its online content channel, Formed.org. Gray and Sehorn teach at the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology, which prepares students for Christian mission through on-campus and distance education programs.

Purifying the Consciousness in Hebrews

Purifying the Consciousness in Hebrews
Author: Joshua D. A. Bloor
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2023-02-23
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 056770811X

Joshua D. A. Bloor argues that the purification of the consciousness of sin, via Jesus' perpetual heavenly blood offering, is a vital motif for understanding Hebrews' sacrificial argumentation, and vice-versa. Jesus' 'objective' earthly achievements are many, yet only his 'subjective' heavenly blood offering purges the heavenly tabernacle and subsequently the consciousness of sin. Bloor views the Levitical cult as having a positive role in Hebrews, with Levitical 'guilt' foreshadowing and informing Hebrews' notion of the 'consciousness of sin'. Levitical sacrifices could purge the consciousness, but only Jesus' heavenly blood can offer complete perpetual purgation. This blood is a qualitative type of purgation which continually speaks in heaven, offering eternal assurance for the recipients regarding their consciousness of sin. Bloor begins with the 'defiled consciousness' and situates the world of Hebrews within cultic defilement, enabling the consciousness of sin and its cosmic implications to be properly understood. From here, the solution to a defiled consciousness is explored by examining Hebrews' cultic argumentation. Bloor highlights the distinctive purposes inherent in both Jesus' earthly and heavenly achievements, with the latter concerned particularly with Yom Kippur imagery and the purgation of the consciousness. Bloor concludes by differentiating between Jesus' session, present heavenly activity and perpetual heavenly blood offering. Throughout this volume, Bloor engages, critiques and advances current discourse concerning the nature and timing of Jesus' offering in Hebrews.

The New Testament in Color

The New Testament in Color
Author: Esau McCaulley
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Total Pages: 803
Release: 2024-08-06
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0830818294

In this one-volume commentary, a multiethnic team of scholars holding orthodox Christian beliefs brings exegetical expertise coupled with a unique interpretive lens to illuminate the ways social location and biblical interpretation work together. These diverse scholars offer a better vantage point for both the academy and the church.