Understanding the Book of Hebrews

[Eleanor]

Apples and oranges.

And therein is the issue.

 

[Arial]

And therein is the issue.

That makes no sense.

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

This book has been the subject of much controversy and the source of many a battle over, frankly, things the book is not even addressing. So what is it addressing?

Well...let's delete the wall of text for a moment and address who the book of Hebrews was written too and why that was important? Once that is established the "controversy" and "battles" might be reduced. Just a thought.

First hint on this is the name of the book.

 

[Eleanor]

Well...let's delete the wall of text for a moment and address who the book of Hebrews was written too and why that was important? Once that is established the "controversy" and "battles" might be reduced. Just a thought.

First hint on this is the name of the book.

Sherlock!

 

[Arial]

Well...let's delete the wall of text for a moment and address who the book of Hebrews was written too and why that was important? Once that is established the "controversy" and "battles" might be reduced. Just a thought.

First hint on this is the name of the book.

That was addressed. Did you miss it? What is your input?

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

That was addressed. Did you miss it? What is your input?

Well...I'd answer "Hebrews".

 

[Arial]

Well...I'd answer "Hebrews".

Well----thanks for the "conversation."

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

Well----thanks for the "conversation."

I haven't seen it addressed. It wasn't addressed in the OP which is what I was responding too. So this is all the conversation I have at the moment.

 

[Arial]

I haven't seen it addressed. It wasn't addressed in the OP which is what I was responding too. So this is all the conversation I have at the moment.

I fail to see where the idea that the letter was written because of Jews that were considering a return to Judaism. That steps into the realm of the operation of their minds if there is no solid historic evidence. There is historic evidence, depending on when Hebrews was written and where;
That his audience spoke Greek and used the Septuagint.
They could follow arguments drawn from the OT
Were interested in the OT sanctuary, sacrifices, and priesthood
They had not heard the gospel directly from Jesus but from the apostles
Had faced previous persecution
Were facing present persecution
They may have been undergoing a change in leadership (13:7,17) and were concerned about security and permanence )6:19; 11:10; 13:8,14).

But that aside, there is strong evidence to support the possibility that the original recipients of Hebrews were Jewish Christians of the Dispersion (the scattering of the Jews outside Palestine) and no longer had the familiar and visible institutions of the Jewish religion. They were possibly confused by the glory of Jesus being veiled in suffering, now hidden in heaven. They too were subject to suffering and shame for their confession of Jesus. Thus the writer's drilling down on the Priesthood of Jesus, in expository form comparing it to the things of the old covenant, the wilderness unfaithfulness, the great cloud of the faithful as our witnesses, and His fulfillment of that covenant with His own sacrifice, once for all. They did not need the old institutions to be reconciled to God.

The heart of Hebrews is exhortation----encouragement---calling his readers to active and courageous response, continuing in righteousness, holding fast to the faith

 

[CrazyCalvinistUncle]

I think we are talking past each other here, Arial. I was responding to the OP ( your "original post" ) not anything past it. If you addressed things later on then cool.

Have fun.