Friday, December 16, 2022

Psalm 110 in Biblical Theology

I just learned about this book. It contains a chapter on Psalm 110 and the Christology of Hebrews:
 
Matthew Emadi. The Royal Priest: Psalm 110 in Biblical Theology. New Studies in Biblical Theology 60. IVP, 2022.
 
"Despite its importance in the New Testament and the priestly messianic promise identified by King David, relatively little has been written on Psalm 110 from a biblical-theological perspective.

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Authors Discussing Their Books

David Moffitt talks about some of the key ideas in his new book, Rethinking the Atonement, on Nijay Gupta's blog, Crux Sola. Meanwhile Bobby Jamieson converses about his book, The Paradox of Sonship, with Mike Bird on a Spotify podcast.



Tuesday, December 6, 2022

The Suffering of Christ according to the Epistle to the Hebrews

I just received a copy of this book today. It has been out since 2008 but probably doesn't get much attention since it is written in Italian:

Ciccarelli, Michele. La sofferenza di Cristo nell’Epistola agli Ebrei: Analisi di una duplice dimensione della sofferenza: soffrire-consoffrire con gli uomini e soffrire-offrire a Dio. Supplementi alla Rivista Biblica 49. Bologna: Edizioni Edhoniane Bologna, 2008.
 
The title can be translated: "The suffering of Christ in the Epistle to the Hebrews: analysis of a double dimension of suffering: suffering-co-suffering with men and suffering-offering to God."
 
Here is a rough translation of a blurb on the book:
"The ripe fruit of intense work, this volume can boast many merits. The first lies in the way it deals with the theme of Christ's suffering, that is, distinguishing in it two clearly distinct and closely connected dimensions, a dimension of relationship with God and a dimension of relationship with us men, an attitude of sacrificial offering, and one of fraternal solidarity, one linked to the other, one producing the other" (from the Preface by Card. A. Vanhoye sj). Of the Letter to the Hebrews, of which the expository order follows, the study investigates the aspect of Christ's suffering in an analytical way, that is by examining in detail the six passages of the epistle that explicitly speak of it, and well documented, without sacrificing overview and original contributions." 
 
Albert Vanhoye gives a nice overview of the book here. Here is a translation of the summary:

"
The work intends to deepen an aspect somewhat neglected by the exegesis of the Epistle to the Hebrews: that of Christ's suffering both in relation to men and in relation to the offering that Christ himself raises to the Father. In this way, an attempt is made to grasp in Christ's passion and death the internal existential dynamic which, on the one hand, is linked by a strong bond of solidarity with his fellow men and, on the other, is linked to the offering sacrifice that he makes of his life.  
     Proceeding mainly according to the literary method, the study examines, according to the same order of presentation of the Epistle to the Hebrews, some significant passages that concern the theme of Christ's suffering and offering: Heb 2:9; 2,10-18; 4.15; 5,1-10; 9,24-28; 13.10-13.  
     The profound solidarity between Christ and men implies assimilation to human nature itself, the affective dimension of brotherhood and goes as far as sharing the painful experience of the trials undergone in life and death on the cross. Christ's sacrifice leads the latter to a transformation of his being which, overcoming existential weakness, places him in a new dimension and in a new dual relationship with God and with men: he becomes high priest accredited to God and merciful; moreover, having been tested like other men, he is able to come to the aid of those who are being tested (Heb 2:17-18) and to show compassion for our weaknesses (Heb 4:15).  
     Unlike the ancient high priest, Jesus is presented not only as the one who presents the offering, but also as the offering itself. His humanity, which already in the "prayers and supplications", presented "with a loud cry and tears", is manifested in its aspect of suffering and is accepted by God as a sacrifice (Heb 5:7: prosene,gkaj kai. eivsakousqei,j), is part of the generous offering of his entire life to God.  
     A considerable part of the work is dedicated to a well-known crux interpretum: the verb metriopaqei/n in Heb 5.2 which, on the basis of some ancient writings and the testimony of some Fathers, as well as some ancient versions of the biblical passage (Syriac, Coptic , Armenian, Vl, Vg, ) was understood as having feelings of modesty and humility in relation to sinful men. 
     In Heb 9:25-26, with the very close link between offering and suffering, Christ's death is presented as an existential sacrifice which brings together the dimension of offering with that of suffering. On the other hand, the blood of Christ, in addition to recalling the dimension of suffering of his sacrifice, is also linked to the concept of the new covenant (Heb 10:29), the novelty of which is highlighted by the link it has with the existential sacrifice of Christ and with his priestly mediation. It is this existential sacrifice of Christ which, unlike what happened in the sacrifices presented in the temple, is constituted by the oblative dynamism of his entire life which undertakes a painful path up to its most dramatic consequence and reaches its goal by presenting himself in heaven directly in the presence of God, thus producing the definitive abolition of sin (Heb 9:24.26). 
    In the last part of the Epistle the suffering of Christ is presented within a historical-geographical coordinate: "outside the city gate" (Heb 13:12). The verb e;paqen, in Heb 13:12, cannot be understood only in the meaning of dying, but also expresses all the suffering that Jesus underwent up to the shedding of blood. This suffering of Jesus does not have the connotations of the hero's noble death, but remains at the level of his fellow men with whom he establishes a relationship of profound solidarity, starting from which he courageously bears the atrocity of death on the cross and he becomes an object of admiration and a model to be imitated for Christians (Heb 12:2-3).  
   By going out of the camp, carrying his opprobrium (Heb 13:13), Christians distance themselves from the ancient cult and find in Christ who dies "outside the door" the foundation of their cult and the space to bear concrete and painful witness to their faith projected towards the future city (Heb 13:14). Finally, by bearing "the reproach of Christ", Christians enter into communion with his sacrifice and intertwine with his suffering-offering their own suffering-offering, an interweaving whose central node is constituted by the humanity that Christ shares in all its dimension of existential fragility."

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Rethinking the Atonement

I recently picked up a copy of David M. Moffitt's new book, Rethinking the Atonement: New Perspectives on Jesus's Death, Resurrection, and Ascension, published by Baker Academic.

I wanted to check the contents before posting anything on this blog. The book contains 15 chapters: an introduction and 14 essays. Most of the essays have appeared in a similar form in earlier articles and book chapters. David told me that a couple of chapters are new. Chapters 2–11 are focused on Hebrews, while the remaining chapters deal with other NT books. Here is the blurb from the website:

"Traditional views on the atonement tend to be reductive, focusing solely on Jesus's death on the cross. In his 2011 groundbreaking book Atonement and the Logic of Resurrection in the Epistle to the Hebrews, David Moffitt challenged that paradigm, showing how the atonement is a fuller process. It involves not only Jesus's death but also his resurrection, ascension, offering, and exaltation.

In the succeeding years, Moffitt has continued to expand and clarify his thinking on this issue. This book offers a more fulsome articulation of his work on the atonement that reflects his recent thinking on the topic. Moffitt continues to challenge reductive views of the atonement, primarily from the book of Hebrews, but he engages other New Testament passages as well. He offers fresh insights on sacrifice and atonement, the importance of resurrection and ascension, Jesus's role as priest, and a new perspective on Hebrews.

This important book brings Moffitt's award-winning and influential scholarship to a broader audience."

Bird Preaches Three Sermons on Hebrews

Michael Bird preached three sermons on Hebrews at Ridley Chapel.

Monday, November 14, 2022

Hebrews at SBL

Society of Biblical Literature Annual Meeting

November 19–22, 2022

Denver, Colorado


P18-212
Institute for Biblical Research
11/18/2022
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Room: Governor's Square 11 (Plaza Tower - Concourse Level) - Sheraton Downtown (SD)

Theme: Hebrews and the Pauline Tradition
This research group explores the relationship between Hebrews and the Pauline tradition. While Hebrews must be able to speak on its own terms, historical and canonical imperatives call for it to be read alongside Paul’s letters. This year, we invited papers that engaged with specific texts or themes in Hebrews and the Pauline Epistles. For more information, please contact Madison Pierce (mpierce@tiu.edu) and Bryan Dyer (bdyer@bakeracademic.com).

Bryan R. Dyer, Baker Academic/Calvin University, Welcome

Cynthia Long Westfall, McMaster Divinity College
Am I Not an Apostle? Authorship and the Signs of an Apostle (25 min)
Tag(s): Intertextuality (Interpretive Approaches), Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Pauline Epistles (Biblical Literature - New Testament)

Julie Leyva, Duke University
Faith in Many and Various Ways: Abraham’s Πίστις in Paul and Hebrews (25 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Pauline Epistles (Biblical Literature - New Testament)

Paul T. Sloan, Houston Baptist University
What Could the Law Not Do? Paul and Hebrews on the Law’s Incapacity to Resurrect Mortal Humans (25 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Pauline Epistles (Biblical Literature - New Testament)

Amy L. B. Peeler, Wheaton College (Illinois)
Discipline of the Body (25 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Pauline Epistles (Biblical Literature - New Testament)

Discussion (20 min)
 
 
P19-129
Institute for Biblical Research
11/19/2022
9:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Room: Governor's Square 14 (Plaza Tower - Concourse Level) - Sheraton Downtown (SD)

Theme: IBR Unscripted
This session of the IBR Annual Meeting offers biblical scholars the opportunity to present their new and innovative ideas in an engaging forum inspired by the famous TED talks. Scholars will speak without notes and are encouraged to use a variety of media to help the audience interact with their ideas. A generous discussion time will follow each presentation. For more information, see Institute for Biblical Research (https://www.ibr-bbr.org/).

May Young, Taylor University, Presiding
 
Madison N. Pierce, Western Theological Seminary
Hebrews within Judaism? On Conversations within New Testament Studies (17 min)
Tag(s): New Testament (Ideology & Theology), Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Religious Traditions and Scriptures (History of Interpretation / Reception History / Reception Criticism)

Discussion (17 min)
 
 
S19-221
Gospel of Mark
11/19/2022
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Room: 703 (Street Level) - Convention Center (CC)

Theme: Features of the Emerging Reign of Jesus in Mark

Robert Snow, Ambrose University College, Presiding (1 min)
 
Naomi Sheley, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
The Markan Davidssohnfrage and Psalm 110: Is Melchizedek or Premundane Divine Begetting Evoked? (25 min)
Tag(s): Gospels - Mark (Biblical Literature - New Testament), New Testament (Ideology & Theology), Religious Traditions and Scriptures (History of Interpretation / Reception History / Reception Criticism)

Discussion (10 min)
 
 
S19-223
Hebrews
11/19/2022
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Room: Aspen A (Third Level) - Embassy Suites (ES)Eric F. Mason, Judson University (Elgin, Illinois), Presiding

Jihyung Kim, McMaster Divinity College
Memory as a Possible Means of Hebrews' Quotation of the Old Testament: Hebrews 1 as a Test Case (30 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Social-Scientific Approaches (Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology) (Interpretive Approaches)

Alberto Solano, University of Oxford
The Sinaitic Event in Hebrews 1–2 (30 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Other Rabbinic Works - Exegetical Midrashim (Early Jewish Literature - Rabbinic Literature), Theological Interpretation (Interpretive Approaches)

Peter Battaglia, Marquette University
Psalms That Move: The Interplay of Movement and Psalms in the Epistle to the Hebrews (30 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Hebrews and Catholic Epistles (Biblical Literature - New Testament)

Jeffrey B Gibson, Harry S Truman College (City Colleges of Chicago)
Did the Author of Hebrews Proclaim That Jesus’ Sinlessness Was Absolute? A New Understanding of Heb. 4:15 (30 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament)

Discussion (30 min)
 
 
P19-259
Institute for Biblical Research
11/19/2022
3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Room: Governor's Square 11 (Plaza Tower - Concourse Level) - Sheraton Downtown (SD)

Theme: The Relationship between the Old Testament and the New Testament
The theme for 2022 will be “Appropriating Hebrews's Scriptural Hermeneutic for the 21st Century.” For more information, please contact Dana Harris (dharris@tiu.edu) and David Stark (david@jdavidstark.com).

Dana M. Harris, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Introduction (5 min)

Nick Brennan, Westminster Seminary California
"As It Was in the Beginning": Deontic Origins and Creational Hermeneutics in Hebrews (20 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Theological Interpretation (Interpretive Approaches), New Testament (Ideology & Theology)

Alexander Stewart, Gateway Seminary
The Rhetorical Use of Old Testament Narratives in Fear Appeals in Hebrews: Hermeneutical Observations (20 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Theological Interpretation (Interpretive Approaches), Rhetorical Criticism (Interpretive Approaches)

Bryan R. Dyer, Baker Academic
Who Tells Your Story: Situating the Reader within the History of Israel in the Epistle to the Hebrews (20 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Theological Interpretation (Interpretive Approaches), Rhetorical Criticism (Interpretive Approaches)

William Olhausen, St. Matthias' Church
Hebrews and the Spirit of Hermeneutics: Participation and Experience in the (Ideal) Sermon Situation (20 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Theological Interpretation (Interpretive Approaches), Ideology & Theology (Ideology & Theology)

Gareth Cockerill, Wesley Biblical Seminary (emeritus), Respondent (15 min)

Discussion (20 min)
 
 
S19-316
Homiletics and Biblical Studies
11/19/2022
4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Room: Centennial H (Third Level) - Hyatt Regency (HR)

Theme: Open Paper Session

Eunjoo Kim, Iliff School of Theology, Presiding
 
Julie M. Leyva, Duke University
Today If You Hear God’s Voice: Preaching with Hebrews’s Intertextual Hermeneutic (30 min)
Tag(s): Homiletics (Ideology & Theology), Intertextuality (Interpretive Approaches), Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament)
 
Bryan J. Whitfield, Mercer University
What Hebrews Has Taught Me about Preaching (30 min)
Tag(s): Homiletics (Ideology & Theology), Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament)
 
 
S20-236
The Historical Paul
11/20/2022
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Room: Agate A (Third Level) - Hyatt Regency (HR)

Theme: Pauline Manuscripts as Biographical Memorialization
This session explores the Pauline manuscript tradition as a site of biographical memorialization, asking how Paul’s biographical legacy was reflected in and shaped by the manuscripts that contain his letters.

Brigidda Bell, University of Toronto, Presiding
 
Janelle Peters, Loyola Marymount University
The Historical Paul as Reconstructed from Hebrews, 1 Clement, and P46 (20 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Pauline Epistles (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Apostolic Fathers (Early Christian Literature - Other)
 
 
S20-308
Contextualizing North African Christianity
11/20/2022
4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Room: Agate B (Third Level) - Hyatt Regency (HR)

Theme: Bible, Text, and Tradition in North Africa 2
This session continues the focus on the reception and use of Scripture in North Africa, including the interpretation of specific texts, knowledge of biblical languages, the formation of the canon, and other aspects related to the theme.

Cassandra Perry, Presiding

Jonatan Simons, Fundación Universitaria Seminario Bíblico de Colombia
Hebrews 1:3 in Contra Celsum 8.12–14 for Origen’s Concept of Divine Simplicity (30 min)
Tag(s): Early Christian Literature (Early Christian Literature - Other), Hebrews and Catholic Epistles (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Theological Interpretation (Interpretive Approaches)
 
 
S21-217
Ecological Hermeneutics
11/21/2022
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Room: Agate A (Third Level) - Hyatt Regency (HR)

Theme: Recent Books on Ecology and NT Epistles
Reviews of Jeffrey Lamp, "Hebrews: An Earth Bible Commentary A City That Cannot Be Shaken" (Bloomsbury, 2020) and Presian Burroughs "Creation’s Slavery and Liberation: Paul’s Letter to Rome in the Midst of Imperial and Industrial Agriculture" (Cascade Library of Pauline Studies, forthcoming).

Laurie Braaten, Judson University (Elgin, Illinois), Presiding
 
Jeffrey Lamp "Hebrews: An Earth Bible Commentary"
Eric F Mason, Judson University (Elgin, Illinois), Panelist (15 min)

Barbara Rossing, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, Panelist (15 min)

Jeffrey Lamp, Oral Roberts University, Respondent (15 min)

Discussion (10 min)
 
 
S21-222
Hebrews
11/21/2022
1:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Room: 405 (Street Level) - Convention Center (CC)Madison N. Pierce, Westminster Theological Seminary, Presiding

Charlotta Nordström, Lunds Universitet
John Chrysostom and Supersessionism in the Letter to the Hebrews (30 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Religious Traditions and Scriptures (History of Interpretation / Reception History / Reception Criticism), Early Christian Literature (Early Christian Literature - Other)

Joshua Heavin, Houston Baptist University
Christ Our Contemporary: Comparing Paul and Hebrews on Participation in Christ (30 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Pauline Epistles (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Christian (Ideology & Theology)

Marcus Mininger, Mid-America Reformed Seminary
Revisiting the Impossibility of Repentance in Heb 6:4–6: Exegetical Problems in Past Interpretations and Parameters for a New Approach (30 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament)

Sydney Tooth, Oak Hill College
The Threefold Offices and Hebrews's High Priest (30 min)
Tag(s): Hebrews and Catholic Epistles - Hebrews (Biblical Literature - New Testament), Hebrews and Catholic Epistles (Biblical Literature - New Testament)

Discussion (30 min)

Hebrews at ETS


Evangelical Theological Society Annual Meeting

November 15–17, 2022

Denver, Colorado



November 15

General Epistles
Contributions of the General Epistles to Soteriology
Plaza Building, Concourse Level - Governor’s Square 10
 
9:00 AM - 9:40 AM
Jared Compton
(Bethlehem College & Seminary)
Divine Christology and Salvation in Hebrews


Holiness
New Testament I
Plaza Building, Concourse Level - Plaza Court 7

11:30 AM - 12:10 PM
Cole Feix
(Carlton Landing Community Church)
Holiness as Wholeness in Hebrews


New Testament
Hebrews
Plaza Building, Concourse Level - Plaza Court 7
Moderator: Jihyung Kim
(McMaster Divinity College)

2:00 PM - 2:40 PM
Jihyung Kim
(McMaster Divinity College)
The Function of Abel and His Offering in Hebrews 12:24
 
2:50 PM - 3:30 PM
Jae-Seung Lim
(McMaster Divinity College)
Places Where We Were Made Holy: Two Tabernacles in
the Book of Hebrews
 
3:40 PM - 4:20 PM
J. Michael McKay Jr.
(Cedarville University)
God’s Holy Temple Fire as Possible Background to Heb
10:27: “fury of !re”
 
4:30 PM - 5:10 PM
E. Randolph Richards
(Palm Beach Atlantic University)
Hebrews was Always Included with Paul’s Letters

Wednesday, November 2, 2022

New Article in the Asbury Journal

Odor, Judith. “Creating Community: Rhetorical Vision and Symbolic Convergence in the Book of Hebrews.” The Asbury Journal 77.2 (2022): 318–40.

"Since the introduction of social identity theory to the field of biblical studies, the Epistle to the Hebrews has become something of a proving ground for depicting the intergroup relations that are key to understanding relationally-oriented identity dynamics and community identification. However, while social identity theory is a valuable tool for describing how communities self-perceive as unique social entities through the use of in-group and out-group language, social identity theory does not describe the rhetorical process by which such language and communication develops or why this development is so key to creating a distinct community. Symbolic convergence theory, with its elements of fantasy themes, symbolic cues, and rhetorical vision, gives us the unique language we need to describe that process, and the epistle to the Hebrews demonstrates not only the characteristics of a collective identity, but the very birth of that identity as well."

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

The End Game

Gary Cockerill recently preached in Hughes Auditorium at Asbury University on Hebrews 12:1–4, "The End Game." 

Here is Gary's blog post.

Here is the Asbury podcast page.

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Priest according the Order of Melchizedek

New article:

Murphy, Bryan. “Priest according to the Order of Melchizedek.” The Master’s Seminary Journal 33.2 (Fall 2022): 297–304.

"The Messianic Hope of Israel includes more than just the right to rule over all the nations from the Davidic throne. It also incorporates a replacement of the Aaronic priesthood with a priesthood patterned after that of Melchizedek. The evidence for this is found in the predictive promise made by Yahweh through David in Psalm 110. In the New Testament, the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews explains and applies this same promise as a justification for the superiority of Christ to both the Aaronic priesthood and the entire Old Testament sacrificial system. This article will present the case for the Messiah being not only one with a rightful claim to sovereignty over all nations, but also as one appointed eternally as the mediator between God and men."

PDF of whole issue

Hebrews as a Sermonic Model

New article:

Hughes, Adam. “Expository Preaching with Biblical Contexts on the Horizon: Hebrews as a Sermonic Model.” Southeastern Theological Review 13.2 (Fall 2022): 45–64.

"The rationale for and benefits of expository preaching have been well established in the field of homiletics. If a fair critique exists for this philosophy of preaching, however, it is that it is often seen as less applicable to the lives of the audience and therefore less effective in producing life change. One reason may be the hesitancy of practitioners to employ contextualization in their preaching. Perhaps the hesitancy lies in the concern that to do so could corrupt the meaning and intent of the pericope in the sermon. In this article, the author addresses this perceived and potential deficiency by arguing for the use of multiple levels of contextualization in expository preaching. In order to do so, four aspects of contextualization will be identified. Then, by using these aspects as a guide, the book of Hebrews, which has been recognized by contemporary scholarship as being sermonic, will be analyzed to offer both a biblical precedent for and model of a fourfold aspect of contextualization in expository preaching. Finally, five implications for contemporary preaching will be offered."

PDF available for the entire issue.

Thursday, September 8, 2022

Listening to Hebrews in the 21st Century

My friend, Gary Cockerill, has a new book out on Hebrews. I am pleased to announce the publication of this book.

Yesterday, Today, and Forever: Listening to Hebrews in the Twenty-First Century.

"Yesterday, Today, and Forever is not a theology of the Letter to the Hebrews, nor is it simply another commentary on the text. Nevertheless, if you take time to work through this reading guide, you will gain a rich, holistic understanding of Hebrews' theology, and you will be able to come back to this volume again and again as a resource for personal growth, teaching, and preaching. This book was written out of the author's desire to share the fruit of more than thirty-five years of study and meditation on this often neglected but rich New Testament book, to help readers see its vision of the all-sufficient Christ and to gain a holistic grasp of the way the author of Hebrews has arranged the material of this book to encourage us in a life of faithfulness--a message of importance for the world in which we live. The book of Hebrews has been divided into seven weeks of daily readings (forty-nine days), so you will have time for Hebrews to permeate your heart and mind. If you patiently follow this schedule, you will be rewarded with an understanding of Hebrews unavailable to those who want a quick fix." 

 Endorsements:

“Cockerill . . . presents the fruit of his work in a book that is accessible to every student of the Bible. What we find here are the reflections of a scholar who has marinated in Hebrews for years. The structure of the letter, the meaning of the text, its theological significance, and the pastoral application are unpacked clearly and profoundly. Pastors, students, and all who want to understand Hebrews will want to read this book.”
—Thomas R. Schreiner, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“Cockerill brings to fresh life the often-neglected book of Hebrews. Cockerill guides the reader through a magnificent seven-week journey through the glorious heights and peaks of this cherished landscape of biblical revelation. In the process, he reveals to us anew how Christ fulfills all of the great themes of the Old Testament, such as law, sacrifice, and priesthood. I encourage Christians to engage in this amazing journey and recapture anew the glorious identity of Jesus Christ for all time.”
—Timothy C. Tennent, Asbury Theological Seminary

“Yesterday, Today, and Forever is such a treasure! Cockerill’s many years of in-depth study and eager willingness to be mentored by the ‘pastor’ of Hebrews richly infuses this present volume. . . . Cockerill’s own pastoral heart makes this seven-week study winsome, compelling, and accessible. This book opens the door to one of the most powerful, beautiful, and persuasive sermons ever written! Those who enter this door will be richly blessed.”
—Dana M. Harris, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

“The grandeur and beauty of the book of Hebrews are only matched by its avoidance and near ignorance in the church. . . . In Yesterday, Today, and Forever, Cockerill puts his lifetime of studying and living Hebrews on the table in front of us and in a plate served just to us. This beautiful, timely book is what the church needs!”
—Scot McKnight, Northern Seminary

“For some, the book of Hebrews is ‘too difficult’. But unless they engage with it, they are likely to remain spiritual infants. In this superb sevenweek guide, a leading Hebrews scholar takes us step by step through the book. Through its pastoral teaching, we can be shaped and formed into adult Christians. Highly recommended!”
—Thomas A. Noble, Nazarene Theological Seminary

“In this reading guide, Cockerill has masterfully and passionately showcased the crown jewels discovered during his lifetime of exploration in the book of Hebrews. These rich meditations . . . provide a clear and concise guide for a life-changing seven-week journey. Listen afresh to the inspired sermon/letter of ‘the pastor.’ This is a journey not to be missed, and never to be forgotten!”
—Richard M. Davidson, Andrews University

“In a day when Hebrews is often overlooked, Yesterday, Today, and Forever is very much needed. Not only is it grounded in Gareth Cockerill’s lifetime of scholarship, it’s also an accessible guide for the faith and practice of the broader church. Readers will find their knowledge and experience of God in Christ strengthened and deepened.”
—Matt O’Reilly, Wesley Biblical Seminary

“Yesterday, Today and Forever takes Dr. Cockerill’s mind as a Hebrews scholar and combines it beautifully with his pastor’s heart to give a study that is as spiritually formative as it is intellectually. . . . Whether used in personal devotions, textbook for a class, or study in the local church, the Holy Spirit will use it to form believers into greater likeness to God through our ‘all-sufficient High Priest who remains forever.’”
—Christopher T. Bounds, Indiana Wesleyan University

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Witherington on the Sermon to the Hebrews

Kevin Burr interviews Ben Witherington about the Sermon to the Hebrews in his Faith in the Folds podcast.

Saturday, August 13, 2022

Pentecostal Commentary on Hebrews

Brill has published a new commentary on Hebrews in the Pentecostal Commentary Series:

R. Hollis Gause. Hebrews

"This commentary, written from a distinctively Pentecostal perspective, is primarily for pastors, lay persons and Bible students. It is based upon the best scholarship, written in popular language, and communicates the meaning of the text with minimal technical distractions. The authors offer a running exposition on the text and extended comments on matters of special signicance for Pentecostals. They acknowledge and interact with alternative interpretations of individual passages. This commentary also provides periodic opportunities for reflection upon and personal response to the biblical text."

Cover Hebrews