The present work seeks to give a systematic and comprehensive account of Jesus’ own faith and faithfulness in the Epistle to the Hebrews, and to relate this teaching to the exemplars of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. While previous research in Hebrews has devoted a considerable amount of time and effort to explaining the Epistle’s Christology and presentation of faith in general, a thorough, exegetical examination of the faith of Christ has never been produced. This thesis argues that Jesus is not only presented as an example of faith, but also as the perfect exemplar of faith(fullness) in word and deed that the audience is to consider and imitate. The author has integrated Jesus’ example of faith throughout the epistle (cf. 2.13, 17; 3.1-6; 4.15; 5.7-8; 10.5-7), with Heb. 12.2 being the climactic illustration of his faith; consequently, the reader is compelled to compare Jesus’ superlative example with the exemplars of faith in Israel’s history. By creating what is ultimately an encomium on Jesus, the famous men and women in Israel’s history are recapitulated for the main purpose of amplifying Jesus’ person and work; that is to say, they are recounted in order to praise and exalt the “pioneer and perfecter of faith” who endured the cross and tasted death on behalf of God’s people. From the total discourse of Hebrews, as well as the encomiastic character of 11.1-12.3 and climax of 12.2, it is also apparent that the author both enabled and expected his audience to discern the (implied) allusions to and analogies with Jesus’ person and work in Hebrews 11, and to regard the praiseworthy ancestors as true, yet imperfect anticipations of Christ who perfectly embodied and expressed the virtue of faith, especially in the crucifixion event.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:499722 |
| Date | January 2009 |
| Creators | Richardson, Christopher |
| Publisher | University of Aberdeen |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://digitool.abdn.ac.uk:80/webclient/DeliveryManager?pid=25706 |
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