A study of the Priestly Christology of the Epistle to the Hebrews

Abstract

This study of Hebrews examines both the paraenetic purpose of the author in choosing- Priest as his central Christological title and the typological structure of the argument as it contributes to that purpose. Chapter One introduces the subject by taking an overview of the questions raised by the study. Chapter Two considers the work of other students of the epistle. Chapter Three looks more closely at the context for writing and suggests that the author's overriding aim was to address the sin of apostasy in a group for which he had pastoral oversight. Chapter Four posits the view that the epistle is the work of a second generation Christian, with an Alexandrian background, therefore inheriting diverse claims about Jesus from various sources. The thesis now moves into a detailed study of the various titles for Jesus. Chapter Five considers the "archegos/prodromes" titles, whilst Chapter Six examines the theme of perfection, a major interest of the author as he strives to present the figure of the perfect priest. Chapter Seven considers the material centring around the title "Son" and asks its significance in relation to "Priest". The conclusion is that here is a vital foundation for the claim that Jesus as Priest is decisively effective for all time. At Chapter Eight, the study looks more carefully at antecedents for the Priestly title, concluding that Psalm 110:4 was a key text with its reference to Melchizedek. Chapter Nine therefore looks closely at the purpose of the Melchizedek references. The final chapters consider the title of priest as it functions in the paraenesis. They conclude that it remains the central claim of the epistle, whose overarching purpose is to portray for a flagging flock, and from every angle of the author's ingenuity, one who represents the supreme climax of God's grace.