Wrestling with Hebrews

Author: Dwight A. Pryor

One of the most beloved books in the New Testament is also one of the most puzzl
ing and problematic. The Epistle to the Hebrews (as it came to be called) signif
icantly shaped Christian thought from the earliest centuries. Indeed an early ma
nuscript placed it immediately after Romans.
Hebrews is noteworthy to scholars for its elegant Greek and exceptional rhetoric
al skills. The common Christian reader cherishes its many comforting exhortation
s (I will never leave thee nor forsake thee 13:5) and memorable architectural and
athletic metaphors (For here we have no lasting city, but we seek one to come 13:1
4; Let us lay aside every weight ... and run with perseverance the race that is s
et before us 12:1).
What is so puzzling about Hebrews, then? First its author is unknown. The epistl
e was controversial from the beginning, but eventually entered the canon on the
assumption that Paul wrote it. Few scholars today, however, hold to Pauline auth
orship. Critical literary analysis has demonstrated too many weighty discrepanci
es between Hebrews and Paul's other letters. Who then was the author? Numerous can
didates have been proposed, among them Priscilla, Barnabas and Apollos.
Next, Hebrews' intended audience (Jewish?) and their location (Rome? Corinth? Jer
usalem?) also are unknown, as is the date of its composition (before or after th
e destruction of the Temple?). And what was its purpose originally? A polemic ag
ainst Judaism and a warning to Jewish believers not to revert to the Torah and T
emple worship has been one persistent view.
Further, Hebrews is paradoxical in many ways. For example, the author shows a pr
ofound grasp of the Hebrew scriptures but always in their Greek translation, the
Septuagint (LXX). He demonstrates a sophisticated knowledge of Rabbinic exegesi
s but often appears to operate within a Platonic worldview. Hebrews extols an ex
alted Christology -- with God's son as the eternal High Priest in the heavenly san
ctuary -- but focuses more on the humanity of Jesus (who learned obedience throug
h what he suffered 5:8) than any other NT epistle.
Several harsh statements seemingly against the Torah and the Mosaic covenant are
to be found in Hebrews. E.g., The law is only a shadow of the good things that a
re coming -- not the realities themselves (10:1). No surprise then that those who
argue that the Church has replaced Israel in God's covenant economy highly favor
Hebrews. One common prooftext is 8:13, In speaking of a new covenant, he makes th
e first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to
vanish away.

A MORE HEBRAIC reading of Hebrews in its first-century setting is possible. Here
are some suggestions:
Keep in mind its sermonic nature and pastoral orientation. Hebrews likely wa
s delivered first as an oral presentation -- perhaps a synagogue sermon? -- and
only later sent out as a letter. The author's passion stems from pragmatic and pas
toral concerns for a specific congregation. His is a word of exhortation (13:22),
not an abstract theological treatise.
Beware of reading the text anachronistically, assuming a polemical attitude
against Judaism that arose only centuries later. The author operates fully withi
n a first-century Jewish frame of reference and knows nothing of the divide betw
een Church and Synagogue, or Christianity and Judaism.
Hebrews shares many characteristics with Jewish apocalyptic literature. The
covenanters at Qumran, for example, critiqued the Temple sacrifices and priestho
od as faithful Jews. So with our author. The Torah is not rejected, but the Levi
tical sacrificial system, compared to Christ, is insufficient and therefore becom
ing obsolete.
The author operates with a Torah-based pilgrimage paradigm of redemption. On
ly those who are faithful and endure to the end enter the promised place of God's
presence, power and glory. With eschatological urgency therefore he admonishes a
persecuted congregation of the perils of falling away, and exhorts them to emul
ate the Champion of their faith.
From beginning to end Hebrews is a passionate sermon and sustained argument,
conveyed with sophisticated rhetorical skills, for Jesus as God's Son and our Hig
h Priest, and the inaugurator of Israel's promised new (renewed) covenant. The str
uggling audience is urged to look to Jesus (12:2), the Pioneer and Perfecter of th
eir faith, and to imitate his enduring faithfulness. He will succeed in bringing
many sons and daughters to their glory as children of God.