Hebrews Carnival November 2011

William Varner proposes that Jude is the author of Hebrews.

Frederik Mulder spotlights David Moffitt's new dissertation on Hebrews, which argues that Jesus' resurrection is central to the author's argument, while Matthew Montonini draws attention to Gary Cockerill's forthcoming commentary in the NICNT series.  Although these authors take different perspectives on what is going on in Hebrews, both will be excellent works that should shape the discussion on Hebrews for years to come.

Ken Schenck reflects on the meaning of "resting from his works" in Hebrews 4:10.  Ken also notes that the author of Hebrews does use allegory, despite the fact that many scholars are adverse to this idea.  Ken also offers excerpts on Hebrews 13:9-14 and on the Date of Hebrews.

Peter Leithart offers a Eucharistic meditation on Hebrews 12:22-23.

New Hoppin Article on the Authorship of Hebrews

Ruth Hoppin has informed me that the following article has been published:

"Priscilla and Plausibility: Responding to Questions about Priscilla as
Author of Hebrews." Priscilla Papers 25.2 (Spring 2011): 26-28.

She says, "It deals in part with Heb. 11:32!"

Jordi Cevera Articles (Update)

Last year about this time I mentioned that I met Jordi Cevera, a professor with the Facultat de Teologia de Catalunya in Barcelona, at SBL.  I had discovered some of his articles online.  Jordi has just sent me a listing of all his articles on Hebrews.  I list here only those that are fully accessible online.  Some of his other articles are also available through such sites as Google Books, but these are only partial previews.

Cervera i Valls, Jordi. "Una aliança millor, un poble millor?" Revista Catalana de Teologia 23.1 (2004): 19-33.

Cervera i Valls, Jordi. "Ancient Targumic Tradition in Heb 8:2." Revista Catalana de Teologia 34.2 (2010), 509-523.

Cervera i Valls, Jordi. "Hebreus, una exhortació a perseverar." Revista Catalana de Teologia 23.3 (1998): 299-328.

Cervera i Valls, Jordi. "Jesús, gran sacerdot i víctima, a Hebreus. Una teologia judeocristiana de la mediació i de l’expiació." Revista Catalana de Teologia 34.2 (2009): 477-502. [Article is found here also]

Oropeza on the Warning Passages in Hebrews

A new article has appeared in Currents in Biblical Research:

B. J. Oropeza, "The Warning Passages in Hebrews: Revised Theologies and New Methods of Interpretation." Currents in Biblical Research 10 (2011): 81–100.

Abstract:

"The interpretation of the warning passages in Hebrews has long been disputed, especially 6.4-6. Discussions on the issue over the last several decades frequently remain in dialogue with the theologies of Calvinist-Reformed and Arminian traditions, and intrigue about the passages often centers on whether or not the recipients of the message are ‘genuine’ believers and able to abandon their salvation because of apostasy. Recent methods of interpretation have opened up new ways of looking at the warnings and bring them into sharper relief. Such methods include historical-critical, socio-rhetorical, social-scientific, intertextual, and oral-critical methods. This article addresses studies of the warnings in Hebrews relevant to such approaches, and it also surveys recent interpretations that integrate Calvinist or Arminian viewpoints."

New Dissertations Added

The following dissertations have been added:

Fernandes, Celso Eronides. “A liturgia de Hebreus: Uma análise de como as mudanças sociais influenciam as formas de culto.” M.A. thesis, Universidade Metodista de São Paulo, 2006.

Jang, Jae Young. "Communicative Preaching: A Homiletical Study in the Light of Hebrews." Ph.D. diss., North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Jong, Adam de. “The Writer of Hebrews as a Reader of Hebrew: An Inquiry into the Linguistic and Hermeneutical Use of the Old Testament Quotations in the Epistle to the Hebrews.” M.Th. thesis, University of Glasgow, 2011.

Laughton, Lance Craig. “The Hermeneutic of the Author of Hebrews as Manifest in the Introductory Formulae and Its Implication for Modern Hermeneutics.” M.A. thesis, University of Pretoria, 2005.

Mvunabandi, Shadrack. “The Communicative Power of Blood Sacrifices: A Predominantly SouthAfrican Perspective with Special Reference to the Epistle to the Hebrews.” Ph.D. diss., University of Pretoria, 2008.

Nel, Pieter. “Die rol van Psalm 110 in Hebreërs.” M.A. thesis, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Van der Walt, Sarel Petrus. “‘Ons weet omdat ons glo!’: 'neksegeties-openbaringshistoriese studie vanuit Hebreërs 10:38-11:3 toegepas opdie problematiek van die verhouding tussen geloof en kennis.” Ph.D. diss., North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

Hebrews Group at SBL Annual Meeting

I received the following announcement from Gabriella Gelardini today:

Dear participants of past Hebrews Group sessions

As the annual meeting is approaching quickly, we would like to warmly invite you to the two sessions that the Hebrews Group sponsors or co-sponsor this year (see the program in detail below). We are particularly proud about the triple-joint session, in which we aim to introduce new methodologies to Hebrews scholarship. Furthermore we were able to interest Daniel Boyarin to read Hebrews with us. And finally, we have scheduled a business meeting particularly designed to get into conversation with you about the future of the Hebrews Group at SBL. All papers and responses should be available through our website after the meeting (<http://www.hebrews.unibas.ch/Program2011.html>).

Hope to see you in San Francisco,
Gabriella Gelardini
Co-chair Hebrews Group, SBL AM

Hebrews at the SBL Annual Meeting

S19-302

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African-American Biblical Hermeneutics
11/19/2011
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Room: Sierra J - Marriott Marquis

Jennifer T. Kaalund, Drew University
Neither Here Nor There: Black Migrant Workers and “Strangers and Foreigners” in Hebrews (20 min) 

S19-341

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Scripture in Early Judaism and Christianity
11/19/2011
4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Room: Sierra H - Marriott Marquis
Theme: Scripture in the Synoptic Gospels

Kevin B. McCruden, Gonzaga University
The Eloquent Blood of Abel: How Does Abel Speak in the Epistle to the Hebrews? (30 min) 

S20-119

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Hebrews
Joint Session With: Hebrews, Space, Place, and Lived Experience in Antiquity, Sacrifice, Cult, and Atonement
11/20/2011
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Room: Cyril Magnin II - Renaissance Parc 55
Theme: Simultaneous Cults: The Intersection of Sacred Space, Time, and Practice
Ellen Aitken, McGill University, Presiding

Jon Berquist, Disciples Seminary Foundation
Critical Spatiality and the Book of Hebrews (30 min)

Jorunn Økland, Universitetet i Oslo, Respondent (15 min)

Kathryn McClymond, Georgia State University
Space and Sacrifice in Leviticus: Implications for Sacrificial Theory (30 min)

Christian Eberhart, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon, Respondent (15 min)

Gabriella Gelardini, Universität Basel, Respondent (15 min)

Discussion (30 min)
Business Meeting (15 min) 

S20-224a

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Greek Bible
11/20/2011
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Room: Walnut - Marriott MarquisTheme: Greek Bible and New Testament

Gert J. Steyn, University of Pretoria
Septuagint Torah Quotations Common to Philo of Alexandria and Luke-Acts (30 min) 

S21-315

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Hebrews
11/21/2011
4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Room: 3011 - Convention CenterCraig Koester, Luther Seminary, Presiding

Daniel Boyarin, University of California-Berkeley
The Stammbaum of MalkiZedek: The Christology of Hebrew in Jewish Context (25 min)

Susan Docherty, Newman University College Birmingham UK
Analysing the Interpretation of the Old Testament in Hebrews: Towards a New Methodology (25 min)

Harold Attridge, Yale University, Respondent (13 min)

Luke Timothy Johnson, Emory University
Suffering as Means of Moral Transformation: Hebrews in Philosophical Context (25 min)

Alan C. Mitchell, Georgetown University
The Death of Jesus in Hebrews: A Contribution to a Developing Tradition (25 min)

Ellen Aitken, McGill University, Respondent (13 min)

Discussion (24 min)

Hebrews at the ETS

The 2011 Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society has the following sessions on Hebrews:

Thursday, November 17

8:30-11:40 am
Marriott – Nob Hill A & B
Hebrews, Letter to the

Moderator: Herbert W. Bateman IV
(Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary)

8:30-9:10 am
Authorial Commentary Overviews
David L. Allen
(Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary)
Review of Hebrews in the New American Commentary Series

Gareth Lee Cockerill
(Wesley Biblical Seminary, Jackson, MS)
A New Volume on Hebrews in the NICNT—Distinct Emphasis and Contributions

9:20-10:00 am
Reviewer
Buist Fanning
(Dallas Theological Seminary)
Review of Two Recent Commentaries on Hebrews

10:10-10:50 am
Reviewer
Michael Allen
(Knox Theological Seminary)
Recent Commentaries on Hebrews: A Theological Reply

11:00-11:40 am
Responses
David L. Allen
(Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary)
Gareth Lee Cockerill (Wesley Biblical Seminary, Jackson, MS)
Panel and Audience Discussion

8:30-11:40 am
Marriott – Foothill D
Patristics and Medieval History
Eastern Patristics/Early Medieval

Moderator: Paul Hartog
(Faith Baptist Theological Seminary)

9:20-10:00 am
Ashish J. Naidu
(Talbot School of Theology, Biola University)
Assisting Grace or Transforming Grace? An Investigation of the Motifs of Grace in John Chrysostom‘s Exposition of Hebrews

Friday, November 18

Marriott – Yerba Buena 1
Hebrews, Letter to the

Moderator: Jon C. Laansma
(Wheaton College)

9:45-10:25 am
Thomas Keene
(Westminster Theological Seminary)
I’m Glad I Don’t Know: The Literary Function of Anonymous Authorship in the Epistle to the Hebrews

10:35-11:15 am
Benjamin J. Ribbens
(Wheaton College)
Conceptual Backgrounds and Sacrifice Theology in Hebrews

11:25 am-12:05 pm
Jacob Rosenberg
(Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)
The Sin of Esau as Anti-Type to the Character and Position of Jesus in Hebrews 12:16

12:15-12:55 pm
Barry Joslin
(Boyce College of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
Whose Name? A Comparison of Hebrews 1 and Philippians 2 and Christ‘s Inheritance of the Name

George Guthrie Course on Hebrews

BiblicalTraining.org is now offering a course on Hebrews taught by George Guthrie.

Description of the course: "An exegetical study of Hebrews.  As Dr. Guthrie interacts with each verse, he explores not only the meaning of the text, but how we apply the theology of the text in our daily lives and ministries."

HT: Charles Savelle

Worship in the Book of Hebrews

I have just become aware of a new book out on Hebrews:

John Paul Heil. Worship in the Letter to the Hebrews. Cascade Books.

Blurb from the Wipf & Stock website:

"This book seeks a more comprehensive understanding and appreciation for the Letter to the Hebrews by examining it from the viewpoint of its prominent theme of worship. It aims to demonstrate the topic of worship in all of its rich and varied dimensions provides the major concern and thrust that embraces Hebrews from start to finish. The author of Hebrews encourages his audience to hold on to the letter he has written to them as "the word of the encouragement" (Heb 13:22). In a very carefully concerted and masterfully artistic way, the letter persistently encourages the members of its audience with regard to their worship. Indeed, Hebrews was intended to be presented orally in a public performance as a liturgical or homiletic letter, an act of worship in itself, heard by its audience gathered together as a worshiping assembly. Hebrews exhorts the members of its audience not only with regard to their liturgical worship in which they engage during their communal gatherings, but also with regard to their ethical or moral worship in which they engage by the way they conduct themselves outside of their communal gatherings. This close examination of Hebrews through the lens of worship is intended to inform and enrich the worship of Christians today. Hebrews presents important and unique points about worship not found in any other New Testament writing. The goal is to illustrate and illuminate these points for the benefit of those who desire to deepen their worship as Christians by deepening their understanding of the magnificent literary masterpiece that the poetically lively letter to the Hebrews articulates for all Christians."

Cockerill on Melchizedek

The following article is now available online:

Cockerill, Gareth Lee. "Melchizedek or 'King of Righteousness.'" Evangelical Quarterly 63.4 (1991): 305-12.

On a related note, I noticed today that Cockerill's commentary on Hebrews in the NICNT series now has an expected publication date of June 2012.