Hebrews and the General Epistles

Each of the “letters” have been argued over Dates vary from as early as 45 to as late as

120 Harris dates them in the last portion of the

first century, after Jerusalem fell Others aren’t so sure Most agree that they reflect a set of new

problems in the church Jewish difficulties are still possibly present,

but other problems have surfaced

When?

False teachers Who was Jesus? Was he human? Was he a

spiritual being? Was he a superman? Behavior in the church…who do we admit,

how do we deal with apostasy? How do we deal with the delay of the Parousia?

How should Christians deal with suffering? Physical suffering and illness?

Difficulties

Probably the central issue How should Christians live in a world that

was antithetical to Christian values? Roman persecution is there, especially in

Hebrews, but the major issue is how do live daily live faithfully?

How should Christians live?

Elegant Greek No author is named Probably not Paul Some argue it was written by a woman A good argument can be made for being

addressed to the Christian community in Rome, after the persecution of Claudius, before Nero’s attack, but no real proof

Hebrews

Plato and Socrates The eternal forms Everything on earth is a copy See the chart in Harris on page 393 This is the first unique feature of Hebrews

Plato

Jesus is presented as the superior one (ch. 1)

The author says he was perfect, sinless, 7:15

A High Priest after the order of Melchizedek Abraham offered a tithe to Melchizedek in

Genesis 14 The lesser offers to the greater Therefore Melchizedek was greater than

Abraham and the priesthood of Israel

Jesus is Perfect

Jesus as perfect high priest entered the heavenly temple, made the perfect sacrifice for sin, i.e. himself, as the perfect high priest in the perfect temple

Therefore sacrifice is at an end Ephapax, a Greek word meaning never to

be repeated again, the unique sacrifice ch 9 and 10

He is the permanent mediator (7:24-25, 9:15-22)

The Perfect High Priest

Ch. 10:26-39 Hold fast Do not deny the faith, there is no second

chance… Hebrews lists a long series of faithful heroes

and heroines from Jewish scriptures in Heb. 11 as examples of faithful living

Against apostasy

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not see. 11:1

Four quotes sum up the rest

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. 12:1-2

Second quote

Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us give thanks, by which we offer to God an acceptable worship with reverence and awe, for indeed our God is a consuming fire. 12:28

Third quote

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. 13:8

Fourth quote

Imitate the life and faith of your leaders Imitate the life and faith of those who

“surround you” Imitate Jesus Move to perfect living

Imitate

Attributed to the brother of Jesus Arguments for and against If by James then written around 60 a.d. Does not mention destruction of Jerusalem Is heavily influenced by Wisdom tradition

James

Warning against wrong conduct in the church and in the world…”Be doers of the word and not merely hearers who deceive themselves”

Warning against improper partiality in the church

FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD 2:1

Consists of five parts

Control the tongue Practical advice on Christian values and

living

3rd and 4th parts

Patience in suffering

Note the final comment:If anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

5th

If by Peter, then before 64 a.d. I Peter reflects a church that has suffered A manual of proper living Contains a high Christology

I and II Peter

A call to holy living “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,

a holy nation, God’s own people.” “For the Lord’s sake, accept the authority of

every human institution, whether of the emperor as supreme or of governors…honor the emperor…”

“If you suffer for doing right you are blessed”

Important points—I Peter

Do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you

Suffering as a Christian

Written in Peter’s name Probably one of the last parts of the NT to

be written Attacks false teachers and their teaching Acknowledges Paul’s letter Jesus will come…even if it is delayed “with the Lord one day is like a thousand

years, and a thousand years are as one day.”

II Peter

I John probably by author of Gospel of John Some argue not…but… Affirms physical nature of Jesus, against

docetism, idea that Jesus just appeared to be a human being

Affirms salvation only in Jesus Warns against false teachers

I, II, III John

Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love…No one has ever seen God’ if we love one another, God lives in us and his love I perfected in us. God is love”

I John on love

Incidental letters Late first century Dealing with matters of hospitality and

church teaching and discipline

II and III John

Possibly brother of Jesus Sometime in the period 60-90 a.d. Resembles Jewish style of writing Most famous verse is vv. 24-25 Now to him who is able to keep you from

falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time and now and forever Amen.

Jude

The Revelation of St. John Please read carefully chapters 1-3, 13-14

and 20-22

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