The problem investigated in this study is the following: “What is the nature and
function of the theme of God’s speech in the book of Hebrews and within the whole
of the revelation in Scripture?”. This problem can only be solved if the unfolding
nature of God’s speech from the Old to the New Testament is taken into account (cf.
Heb 1:1-2), the theme is researched grammatical-historically, and then placed
revelational-historically within the whole of Scripture.
The introductory questions of the book of Hebrews are investigated for the potential
light that answers to these questions can shed on the appearance, function and
interpretation of references to God’s speech in the book. Subsequently, the structure
of Hebrews is investigated and analysed to determine the position which the theme
of God’s speech assumes within the sermon. This goal is achieved through a
literature study on suggestions for Hebrews’ structure, followed up by an independent
thought structure analysis of Hebrews according to the method of Coetzee
(1988a:19-37).
From the position of the theme of God’s speech within the structure of the sermon
the nature and content of the author of Hebrews’ references to the theme of God’s
speech as introductory formulae, and as part of Old Testament quotations
themselves, are determined. This is done by examining the 38 introductory formulae
in Hebrews in detail on the basis of a literature and independent study.
Subsequently, eleven pericopes in Hebrews where keywords of the theme of God’s
speech come together as part of the argumentation of the sermon are researched
grammatical-historically using a combined method of Coetzee (1997), Tolar (2002),
Jordaan (2004a) and Fee (2009).
Ultimately it is determined how the theme of God’s speech unfolds in the book of
Hebrews regarding manner, nature and content by giving an overview of the
collected material by means of analysis, interpretation and synthesis. From this
overview it is determined how the author of Hebrews’ theme of God’s speech fits into
the whole of God’s revelation in Scripture. This is achieved by doing a cursory
revelational-historical study using a combined method of Coetzee (1995) and
Jordaan (2003) on six topics that form the overview of the theme of God’s speech in
Hebrews. Finally, a general conclusion is reached by answering the problem of this
study by way of enumeration:
The revelational-historical importance of the theme of God’s speech in Hebrews is
that the author shares the presupposition of other biblical authors that the Old
Testament is divinely inspired and therefore absolutely authoritative, but then with
the explicit emphasis that God is presently still speaking directly and urgently with
man through it. The unfolding of God’s revelation also has a specific accentuation
in Hebrews by means of the author’s emphasis that God revealed Himself
superior and finally in his Son. The author of Hebrews’ emphasis on the greater responsibility of the hearers to listen faithfully and obediently because of God’s
superior revelation in his Son, is also unique. For these reasons alone Hebrews
has an indispensable role within the Canon. / PhD (New Testament), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/10836 |
| Date | January 2014 |
| Creators | Coetsee, Albert Johannes |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Language | other |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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