Hebrews In Recent Study
HEBREWS IN RECENT STUDY
In addition to studies that continue to probe the setting and circumstances that called forth this epistle, we may mention the considerable scholarly interest in the following areas:
1. The peculiar Christological emphases of Hebrews capture the attention of many scholars. 45 There are clear links with John and Paul (e.g., in the "Son” language and in
the high Christology of Heb. 1:1-3), but the exposition of the priestly work of Christ, both on earth and in heaven, is much fuller here than anywhere else in the New Testament. Hebrews also displays firm interest in the historical Jesus. 46
2. In particular, considerable attention has been devoted to what this epistle says about Melchizedek and to comparison of this treatment with other Jewish traditions about him, not least in the Dead Sea Scrolls. 47
3. The epistle’s interest in Melchizedek is part and parcel of its detailed appeal to many Old Testament texts. Only Matthew in the New Testament rivals this book for the range and hermeneutical complexity of the Old Testament texts it cites. Inevitably, this phenomenon has drawn much scholarly attention. 48
4. Several themes in Hebrews attract continual attention, either because they are more prominent in Hebrews than elsewhere in the New Testament, or because the treatment of them is distinctively nuanced. They include perfection, 49(Sabbath)-rest (Heb. 4), 50 and faith (Heb. 11). 51