The High-Priestly Christology of the Letter to the Hebrews: A Fusion of Late Second Temple Theology and Early Christian Tradition
Authors
Fishbeck, Nadine Braunda
Issue Date
2014-01-20
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Christology , Christian theology , Temple cult , Priestly tradition , Jewish theology and Christian tradition , School of Theology thesis 2012 , School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee , University of the South
Alternative Title
Abstract
The high-priestly Christology of the Letter to the Hebrews is unique in the New
Testament canon. As an early Christian writing, this letter may help us in our understanding of
what ideas, concepts, and traditions of late second temple Judaism influenced the development of
early Christian theology and Christology.
The author of Hebrews inherited the apocalyptic world view of second temple Judaism
and of the early Christian church. The author’s theology also has antecedents within the second
temple priestly tradition. One of these antecedents included the hope of a savior figure as seen in
the expectation of a priestly messiah. The author also believed in the efficacy of the temple cult
and drew from the cultic tradition as he developed his high-priestly Christology. The author
fused elements from the Jewish priestly theology with the early Christian tradition that he had
received to argue that the exalted Jesus Christ was Son of God as well as the heavenly high priest
of the heavenly sanctuary.