Hebrews Highlights November 2016

Richard Goode summarizes the lecture of Saara-Maria Jurva on "The Cognitive-Emotive Functions of Biblical Narration in the Letter to the Hebrews."

George Guthrie identifies 6 Surprising Characteristics of Biblical Faith According to Hebrews 11.

A Book on Hebrews in Hebrew

A new book on Hebrews in Hebrew:

Yair Zakovitch and Serge Ruzer. God’s Word Is Powerful: Eight Conversations on the Epistle to the Hebrews. Jerusalem: Magnes Press, 2016.

"The character of the Epistle to the Hebrews differs greatly from all other letters included in the New Testament. It is actually a sermon interpreting numerous biblical verses with the aim to substantiate its unique claim for Jesus' heavenly priesthood. The reliance on biblical proof-texts enables the writer to establish his innovative claims vis-a-vis both the broader Jewish tradition and the competing outlooks existing within the Jesus movement itself.

The eight conversations in the book discuss the Epistle's interpretative strategies in order to unearth the worldview of its author and the nature of its target audience."

HT: Jody Barnard

Updated Scholars Page

I have done a thorough revision of the Scholars page. I have added some profiles and additional information and updated links. I would certainly welcome any help on updating this page.

Hebrews: Writing at the Borders

At the recent meeting of the SBL, I saw an advance copy of this book which is scheduled to come out very soon:

The Epistle to the Hebrews: Writing at the Borders. Edited by R. Burnet, D. Luciani, and G. Van Oyen. Contributions to Biblical Exegesis and Theology 85. Leuven: Peeters, 2016.

"This volume contains the exegetical contributions of a conference held in Louvain-la-Neuve in 2014. The participants explored the concepts of border, boundary, and frontier related to Hebrews, not only in the letter itself, but also in its reception. The book first focuses on the definition of Hebrews as a text at the confluence of various cultural worlds: elaborated in the Diaspora, can the letter/sermon be characterized as a middle course between a so-called 'Jewish world' and a so-called 'pagan world'? Within the Jewish cultural world, did it really hold a marginal position? Is its nuanced attitude toward the priesthood and the Temple the first step outside Judaism, as it has long been claimed?"

Hebrews at the Annual SBL Meeting

Annual Meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature
San Antonio, Texas
November 19–22, 2016

P18-203

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Institute for Biblical Research
11/18/2016
1:00 PM to 3:45 PM
Room: Lone Star F (2nd Level) - Grand Hyatt (GH)Theme: Scripture and Doctrine Seminar (SADS)
The Scripture and Doctrine Seminar (SADS) focuses on the intersection of Scripture and Doctrine. It explores how Scripture leads to the formulation of doctrine and how doctrine illuminates our reading of the Bible. The SADS committee consists of Kevin Vanhoozer, Scott Hahn and Craig Bartholomew. For further information contact Craig Bartholomew (cbartholomew@redeemer.ca) and see http://www.stgeorgesonline.com/centre/sads/. The Seminar is a joint venture between the St. George’s Centre for Biblical and Public Theology and the St. Paul Centre for Biblical Theology. The SAHS/SADS/SACS Dinner will take place on Saturday at 7:30 PM. Contact Gillian Fernie for details at gillian@stgeorgesonline.com. For further information on IBR see the Institute of Biblical Research website: http://www.ibr-bbr.org/ (click on Research Groups).
Divine Action and Hebrews: The Ongoing Priesthood of Jesus
Benjamin Quinn, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Presiding
Benjamin Quinn, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Introduction
Craig Bartholomew, Redeemer University College and Luke Stamps, California Baptist University
Context Setting Introduction (5 min)

Andrew Pinsent, Oxford University
The Second-Person Perspective on Divine Action in Hebrews (20 min)

Amy Peeler, Wheaton College (Illinois)
A Fearful Thing to Fall Into the Hands of a Living God: Divine Action In Human Salvation (20 min)

Alan Torrance, University of St. Andrews
What does the Continuing Priesthood of Christ tell us about the Doctrine of God? (20 min)

Mary Healy, Sacred Heart Major Seminary
The Holy Spirit and Christ’s Ongoing Priesthood in Hebrews (20 min)

Break (10 min)
Panel discussion, with Scott Hahn, Franciscan University of Steubenville, joining the panel
Discussion (55 min)


P18-311

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Institute for Biblical Research
11/18/2016
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Room: Bonham E (3rd Level) - Grand Hyatt (GH)Theme: Research Group: The Relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament
This research group focuses on the relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament. For further information contact Creig Marlowe (wcreigmarlowe@cs.com) and Gareth (Gary) Cockerill (gcockerill@wbs.edu) and see the Institute of Biblical Research website: http://www.ibr-bbr.org/ (click on Research Groups).

Gareth Lee Cockerill, Wesley Biblical Seminary
Hebrews, Typology, and Contemporary OT Interpretation (20 min)


P18-312

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Institute for Biblical Research
11/18/2016
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Room: Presidio C (3rd Level) - Grand Hyatt (GH)Theme: Research Group: Scripture in Global Context
One effect of globalization is an increasing consensus that biblical and theological discourse can no longer be a solely Western phenomenon. As Christianity continues to expand in the global South and East, demand has grown for thoughtful theological analysis that addresses the concerns of the majority of Christians. This study group, in collaboration with “Theology in Global Context” group in ETS and with Eerdmans (first volume on Christology is published), aims to harness this promising moment by addressing both classical and non-traditional theological loci through engagement with the best resources from non-Western Christianity, bringing them into dialog with each other and Western thought. For information contact Gene Green (gene.green@wheaton.edu) and K. K. Yeo (kkyeo@garrett.edu) and see the Institute of Biblical Research website: http://www.ibr-bbr.org/ (click on Research Groups).

Peter Nyende, Uganda Christian University
Assembly on Mt. Zion: An Ecclesiology from Hebrews for African Christianity (20 min)


S19-120

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Cognitive Linguistics in Biblical Interpretation
11/19/2016
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Room: 208 (2nd Level - West) - Convention Center (CC)Robert von Thaden, Mercyhurst College, Presiding

Alexandra Gruca-Macaulay, Independent Scholar
A Rhetorical Cognitive Linguistic Investigation of Torrey v. Harnack in the Question of Priscilla as the Author of Hebrews (30 min)


S19-246

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Religious Experience in Antiquity
11/19/2016
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Room: Texas B (4th Level) - Grand Hyatt (GH)
The Religious Experience in Antiquity section investigates the experiential elements of religions from the ancient near east to late antiquity, with a particular interest in examining (1) the relationship between texts and experience, (2) religious practices in the context of ritual, prayer, ecstasy, dreams and visions, 3) the role of embodied experiences (cognitive, neurological, and sensory) in the generation of religious ideas and commitment. Angela Kim Harkins, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry, Presiding

Silviu N. Bunta, University of Dayton
Transformational mysticism in the liturgy of Hebrews (25 min)


S19-355

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Women in the Biblical World
11/19/2016
4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Room: Travis A (3rd Level) - Grand Hyatt (GH)Theme: Women’s Agency in Antiquity

Nicholas Bott, Stanford University
Female Procreative Agency: Sarah and Abraham as Critical Case Study (25 min)


S20-129

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Intertextuality and the Hebrew Bible; Joshua-Judges
Joint Session With: Intertextuality and the Hebrew Bible, Joshua-Judges
11/20/2016
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Room: 301B (3rd Level) - Convention Center (CC)Theme: Judges, Intertextuality, Gender 

Brad Embry, Regent University
Jephthah (and his daughter?) in Hebrews 11: A Rereading (30 min)


S20-209

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Ecological Hermeneutics; Poverty in the Biblical World
Joint Session With: Ecological Hermeneutics, Poverty in the Biblical World
11/20/2016
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Room: 303C (3rd Level) - Convention Center (CC)Theme: Poverty, Ecology, and the Bible

Jared C. Calaway, Illinois College
Foreigners upon the Earth: Marginality, Movement, and Migration in the Letter to the Hebrews (25 min)
 

S21-104

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African-American Biblical Hermeneutics
11/21/2016
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Room: 303A (3rd Level) - Convention Center (CC)Theme: Experimental Methods, New Meanings, and New Voices
This is an open sessions that pushes the field beyond current methodological and interpretive boundaries.

Jennifer T. Kaalund, Iona College
Bodies Out of Place: Identity, Race and Space in Hebrews (30 min)


S21-129

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Hebrews
11/21/2016
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Room: Conference Room 1 (3rd Level) - Marriott Rivercenter (MRC)Theme: Critical Theological Issues in the Epistle to the Hebrews
Amy Peeler, Wheaton College (Illinois), Presiding

David Moffitt, University of St. Andrews
But We Do See Abel: Hebrews and Depictions of Abel’s Sacrifice in Some Mosaics of Ravenna (30 min)

Hermut Loehr, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Sin as Defilement in Hebrews (30 min)

Jesse B. Coyne, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Resurrection and the Logic of New Creation in the Epistle to the Hebrews (30 min)

Benjamin Ribbens, Trinity Christian College
The Ascension and Atonement: Johannes Cocceius and John Owen respond to Socinian Ideas of Christ’s Atonement (30 min)

Ken Schenck, Indiana Wesleyan University
"Through His Own Blood" (Heb 9:12): Did Jesus Offer His Blood in Heaven? (30 min)


S21-225

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Hebrews
11/21/2016
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Room: Bonham A (3rd Level) - Grand Hyatt (GH)Theme: Critical Theological Issues in the Epistle to the Hebrews
David Moffitt, University of St. Andrews, Presiding

Madison N. Pierce, Durham University
Intra-divine Discourse and the New Covenant in Hebrews (30 min)

Daniel A. Giorgio, McGill University
The Dual Themes “Faith-Perseverance” and “Unbelief-Shrinking Back” in the Warning Passages of the Epistle to the Hebrews (30 min)

Seth Whitaker, Oral Roberts University
A Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing: A Contextual Reassessment of Salient Theological Conclusions in the Epistle of Hebrews (30 min)

Scott R. Moore, University of Denver/Iliff School of Theology
A Gravitational Shift: Revisiting Hebrews’ Theology of Scripture (30 min)

David A. deSilva, Ashland Theological Seminary
Grace Under Fire: To What Extent Do Greco-Roman Codes of Reciprocity Inform the Theology of Hebrews? (30 min)

New French Commentary on Hebrews!

I am pretty psyched about getting this new French commentary on Hebrews in the mail:

Jean Massonnet. L'épître aux Hébreux. Commentaire biblique: Nouveau Testament 15. Paris: Éditions du Cerf, 2016. Pp. 493. Paperback.

Jean Massonnet, a priest of the diocese of Lyon, is a graduate of the Pontifical Biblical Institute and professor emeritus of the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Lyon where he was director of the Christian Center for the Study of Judaism from 1990 to 2005.

This is a pretty substantial commentary. The layout of the commentary is as follows. After the forward and abbreviation page, there is a general bibliography consisting of commentaries, studies on Hebrews, and other studies. The thirty-page introduction covers authorship and canonicity, recipients, date of the writing, literary genre, structure and movement, the milieu of Hebrews, the message of Hebrews, and the text.

In the commentary proper, each pericope begins with a translation followed by text-critical and translation notes and a brief bibliography. The interpretation proceeds on a verse-by-verse basis. Additional notes and occasional excurses round out each section. End matter includes indices on modern authors, primary sources, and topics; a list of excurses; and a table of contents (typically at the back of the book as is standard practice in French books). My only qualm with the book so far is that Greek is transliterated in the interpretation (but Greek is used in the more technical notes).

This is the first major commentary to appear in French since Samuel Bénétreau's two-volume commentary came out in 1989–1990! It doesn't surpass Ceslas Spicq's magisterial two-volume commentary, but Spicq's commentary, which came out in 1952–1953 is quite dated.

Hebrews at ETS 2016

Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society
San Antonio, TX
November 15–17, 2016

Wednesday, November 16
8:30 AM-11:40 AM
Marriott-Rivercenter - Room 3
Letter to the Hebrews

Moderator: Cynthia Long Westfall
(McMaster Divinity College)

8:30 AM—9:10 AM
Thomas Schreiner
(The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)
Another Look at the Warnings in Hebrews

9:20 AM—10:00 AM
Nick Brennan
(University of Otago, New Zealand)
‘The builder of everything is God’: Heb 3:3,4 as a Locus Probans for the Deity of Christ

10:10 AM—10:50 AM
Michael Kibbe
(Moody Bible Institute - Spokane)
The God-Man's Indestructible Life: A Theological Reading of Hebrews 7:16

11:00 AM—11:40 AM
Jesse B. Coyne
(New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary)
Exodus, New Exodus, and Final Exodus: The Wilderness Motif in the OT, STL, & Hebrews

Thursday, November 17
1:00 PM-4:10 PM
Grand Hyatt - Presidio A
Letter to the Hebrews: Hebrews and the Atonement

Moderator: Jon C. Laansma
(Wheaton College Graduate School)

1:00 PM—1:40 PM
L. Michael Morales
(Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary)
The Atonement in Hebrews: Old Testament Background

1:50 PM—2:30 PM
Nicholas Perrin
(Wheaton College Graduate School)
Jesus as Priest in pre-Hebrews Traditions

2:40 PM—3:20 PM
Eckhard Schnabel
(Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary)
The Atonement in Hebrews: Pagan Greco-Roman Context

3:30 PM—4:10 PM
George Guthrie
(Union University)
Time and Atonement in Hebrews

Review of Barnard, The Mysticism of Hebrews

Jody A. Barnard. The Mysticism of Hebrews: Exploring the Role of Jewish Apocalyptic Mysticism in the Epistle to the Hebrews. WUNT 2/331. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2012.

This monograph represents a revision of the author’s doctoral dissertation submitted to Bangor University (in Wales) in 2011. The purpose of the study is to explore the role of Jewish apocalyptic mysticism in Hebrews. In the opening introductory chapter Barnard first deals with some of the basic critical issues concerning Hebrews. Hebrews is likely a sermon in epistolary form written by a well-educated Hellenistic Jewish Christian male with possible connections with the Pauline circle. The audience consists most likely of Hellenistic Jewish Christians. The book likely has some connection with Rome before 90 CE. Earlier scholarship (e.g., Ménégoz; Spicq; Moffatt) assumed a Middle Platonic background to Hebrews, but later scholarship (e.g., Williamson; Barrett; Hurst) began to question this contention and pointed to Jewish apocalyptic literature as the more likely conceptual background for Hebrews. Scholarship is now currently divided on the conceptual background for Hebrews. Some favor the Platonic/Philonic influences while others emphasize the Jewish apocalyptic influences. But while these two thought-worlds are not necessarily mutually exclusive, Barnard will attend to the role of Jewish apocalyptic mysticism in Hebrews. Barnard will focus his attention on apocalyptic and mystical texts in the late Second Temple period.

Barnard develops his argument in three parts. In part I (chapters 2–3), he examines the Jewish apocalyptic texts on their own terms. In part II (chapters 4–7), he applies the insights from part I to Hebrews. In part III (chapters 8–9), he applies the conclusions of part II to a specific passage in Hebrews (1:5–13). Chapter 10 rounds out the study with his conclusions.

In chapter 2, Barnard determines which texts should be included in the construction of the Jewish apocalyptic mystical worldview. He divides the texts into three “levels of priority.” First are the texts which are indisputably Jewish and can be used confidently in the construction of the apocalyptic mystical background for the NT. These include: the Book of the Watchers, the Astronomical Apocalypse, the Dream Visions, the Epistle of Enoch, Jubilees, 4 Ezra, 2 Baruch, the Aramaic Levi Document, and the mystical texts from Qumran. Second are Jewish texts that were written towards the end of the Second Temple period or a little beyond and must be used with greater caution for various reasons (such as Christian interpolations into the texts). Among these he includes the Similitudes of Enoch, 2 Enoch, the Apocalypse of Abraham, the Apocalypse of Zephaniah, the Testament of Levi, and 3 Baruch. The third level is represented by Christian texts which emerged as “testimony to the overtly Christian manifestations of Jewish apocalyptic mysticism” (p. 54). These texts include Revelation, the Ascension of Isaiah, the Shepherd of Hermas, and the Testament of Abraham.

Chapter 3 highlights some of the major themes that emerge in Jewish apocalyptic literature. The heavenly realm is full of splendor and glory and is often characterized by fire. It exists in another dimension or parallel universe. The heavenly realm is often depicted as God’s true temple and is multi-tiered (usually seven levels). A righteous famous figure or hero from Israel’s past ascends at God’s initiative into the heavenly realm, where he experiences both terror and transformation. Numerous angels appear everywhere and function as cosmic supervisors, guardians, priests, and/or guides. The journey of the ascender usually climaxes with an anthropomorphic appearance of the Most High God seated on His throne. The visions, dreams, and revelations narrated in these texts are claimed to be mystical experiences of their authors.

Chapter 4 explores the conception of the heavenly temple/tabernacle in Hebrews. Barnard does not see a significant distinction between the tabernacle and the temple. He offers a couple of reasons why the author may have focused upon the tabernacle instead of the temple. If the temple still existed, the author may have chosen to criticize it indirectly by attacking the tabernacle instead. On the other hand, if the temple no longer existed, his focus upon the tabernacle gives his argument a timeless character. Barnard counters those who claim that there are parallels between the cosmology of Hebrews and Platonism. Hebrews, for the most part, lacks the technical terminology and interpretive schema of Platonism. Instead, Hebrews’ temporal orientation of the heavenly sanctuary finds closer parallels in apocalyptic traditions. Barnard next explores the nature of the heavenly temple in Hebrews. Hebrews’ conception of the heavenly sanctuary is both literal and metaphorical. The heavenly sanctuary is envisioned as a multi-chambered structure through which Jesus progresses.

In chapter 5 Barnard argues that Jewish apocalyptic mysticism played a part in Hebrews’ formulation of a high priestly Christology. Despite some apparent similarities, Philo’s conception of the Logos bears little resemblance to the Christ of Hebrews. On the other hand, Barnard detects possible influences in Jewish apocalyptic mysticism with such ideas as an eschatological Yom Kippur, priestly messianism, and Melchizedek speculation. Another theme that is common in Jewish apocalyptic mysticism is the theme of heavenly ascents that result in transformations which often are portrayed as priestly investitures. This theme finds correspondences to Hebrews which depicts Jesus receiving his high priesthood when entering the heavenly realm. Barnard finds various allusions to Jesus’ investiture to the high priesthood in chapter 1, including Jesus’ inheritance of the divine name (1:4), the declaration that he is God’s Son (1:5), his wielding a scepter, and his anointing with oil (1:8–9).

Chapter 6 deals with the theme of the heavenly enthronement of the Son. In apocalyptic literature the heavenly throne is usually envisioned to be in the celestial Holy of Holies. This conception is taken for granted by Hebrews. The Ark of the Covenant is deemed to be the earthly counterpart to the heavenly throne of God. Only one throne in heaven is envisioned. Hence, the Son shares the throne with God seated at his right hand side, the position of honor. Christ’s position on the throne is one of everlasting privilege. In Hebrews Christ’s role on the throne is not to mediate judgment but mercy. Christ is seated on his throne indicating that his work of atonement is completed. His position on the throne also indicates his royal identity. The opening prologue of Hebrews depicts Jesus as “the divine Name-bearing enthroned Glory of God” (149). Hebrews 1:3 identifies Jesus as the visible manifestation of God upon the throne in the celestial Holy of Holies. Hebrews 1:3 seems to reflect Jewish wisdom traditions, but Hebrews never calls Jesus Wisdom. Barnard thinks that the influence of wisdom speculation on Hebrews is quite limited. Barnard argues that the name that Jesus receives in 1:4 is not the name of Son but the divine name YHWH. Jesus’ inheritance of the divine name is powerful proof for his superiority over the angels.

Chapter 7 shifts the focus from the themes and motifs of Jewish apocalyptic mysticism in Hebrews to the experiential dimensions contained in the book. Barnard argues that Hebrews’ appropriation of Jewish apocalyptic mystical themes is not merely conceptual or literary but that there is an experiential impulse involved. He identifies several passages in Hebrews which may suggest mystical experiences on the part of the author and his audience, or in which the author invites his audience to participate in mystical experiences: 2:1–4, 9; 3:1; 4:3, 14–16; 6:4–6, 19–20; 10:19–25; 12:22–24; 13:9–15. These mystical experiences may have included dreams and visions of the exalted Jesus.

In the conclusion to Part II, Barnard determines that “the evidence discussed throughout Chapters 4–6, which bear witness to the author’s conceptual indebtedness to Jewish apocalyptic mysticism, should not simply be regarded as evidence for common ideas, but also common practices and experiences” (214). He believes that passages that share affinities with Jewish apocalyptic mysticism probably reflect prior mystical experiences. He includes Hebrews 1:3–4 among these passages. The author of Hebrews may have been drawing upon his own experiences while writing the prologue.

In Part III, Barnard applies the results of his study to the analysis of a specific passage, Heb 1:5–13. In chapter 8, he examines the use of Scripture in this passage. The catena of quotations is likely the author’s own construction and not a prior compilation of authoritative proof-texts, but the author’s basis of selection and his method of exegesis remain a puzzle to interpreters. Scholars have concluded that Hebrews’ method of exegesis most closely aligns with other Second Temple Jewish midrashic techniques. Barnard contends, however, that while this helps us to understand how Hebrews employs Scripture in most of the book, it does not explain his use of Scripture in chapter 1. As Barnard puts it, “Heb 1:5–13 does not easily lend itself to the paradigm of text oriented, contextually sensitive exegesis” (229). He insists, rather, that Jewish apocalyptic mysticism offers a better explanation for the author’s use of Scripture in chapter 1. Hebrews 1:5–13 is distinctive from the rest of the book in terms of its use of Scripture. Elsewhere, the author comments on the texts he uses. In contrast, in chapter 1 the author builds his argument through the selection and arrangement of Scripture citations. Text-oriented exegesis cannot adequately explain the author’s selection and interpretation of his Scripture proof texts. In chapter 1, the Scripture proof texts are decontextualized from their original context and given new meaning by being placed in a new context. The Scripture texts are not given as quotations but as “heavenly declarations from the mouth of God” (235). It is important to understand Heb 1:5–13 within its immediate context following directly after the opening prologue which “is reminiscent of certain apocalyptic visions and presents the Son as the divine Name-bearing anthropomorphic Glory of God enthroned in the celestial sanctuary” (237). The author’s own mystical orientation was the primary impetus for his selection and use of texts in chapter 1.

In chapter 9, Barnard sets out to demonstrate how the author’s own mystical context influenced his use of scripture in Heb 1:5–13. Jewish apocalyptic mysticism was preoccupied with angels, and this provides the most plausible explanation for Hebrews’ attention to angels in the opening chapter. Barnard provides a detailed passage-by-passage analysis of each Scripture quotation in the catena. The themes of chapter 1 imply that the author was influenced by Jewish apocalyptic mysticism and that he has personally had mystical experiences of the heavenly realities expressed in chapter 1.

Chapter 10 includes a summary of conclusions and some final reflections. End matter includes a bibliography of primary and secondary sources; and indices on ancient sources, modern authors, and subjects.

Barnard has provided a solid contribution to the study of Hebrews. The book is well-written and he presents his argument well. I think that Barnard convincingly demonstrates that Jewish apocalypticism provides a more plausible background for Hebrews than Platonism/Philonism. He demonstrates that many of the themes of Jewish apocalypticism find expression in Hebrews.

I would push back a little on Barnard’s contention that the use of Scripture in the catena of Hebrews 1 is not contextually sensitive. In Heb 1:5, for example, the author quotes from Psa 2, which is a royal psalm, and from 2 Sam 7, in which is contained the promise of God to David that a descendant of his will sit on the throne forever. While the author does not explicitly comment on these passages, understanding the original context of these two quotations together helps us to recognize that “Son” is a royal designation. The two quotations together not only illustrate Jesus’ filial relationship to the Father, but also—along with some of the other quotations in the catena—indicate Jesus’ royal status. The original context of these passages probably played some part in their selection as proof-texts in the catena.

Barnard’s contention that the author’s own mystical experiences was a primary impetus for the themes he raises in his book is certainly possible, but ultimately cannot be proven decisively. While the author was likely influenced by Jewish apocalypticism, Hebrews is not an apocalypse. In other words, we do not get descriptions of visions of otherworldly journeys, nor are we given fantastical imagery of the supernatural world which needs to be explained by interpreting angels. The author makes no explicit claim of having mystical experiences of the supernatural world or visions of the exalted Jesus. It certainly makes sense that the author’s theology was not merely an intellectual assent to certain affirmations but would also be shaped by his subjective experiences of the divine. But whether his experiences included mystical visions remains an open question. I am certainly not ruling it out. Barnard has offered a provocative study that should be taken into consideration by future studies on Hebrews.

Thanks to Mohr Siebeck for a review copy of this book.