Review

by J.D. Terrell, Carlisle | Category: Themes From Hebrews | Dec 1980

To review some of the unique spiritual riches of Hebrews presented in this magazine during 1980 is no easy assignment. To call these riches 'unique' is entirely justified, for in many respects this epistle stands alone among the inspired writings of the New Testament. Some have found it difficult to study and to follow its closely reasoned approach to profound truths affecting Christian life and service. Yet at numerous points it is made very clear that the imperfect, vulnerable believers to whom it was addressed were fully expected by the author to respond in no half-hearted way to its message.

By whom, to whom, and with what essential purpose then was this letter written? The problem of the authorship of Hebrews has intrigued students of the New Testament since very early days. It would not be to great spiritual profit to embark here on the Pauline and non-Pauline arguments, although vigorously contested views have been advanced for both. Issues of style, language and likely date of writing have all been involved and, despite significant points to the contrary, Paul the apostle has tended to attract considerable support over the years. But may it not be significant that, in ordering the canon of New Testament Scripture, and in the marvel of its preservation, the Holy Spirit has not ordained a clear record of the writer of this remarkable epistle? Its early and clear recognition as divinely inspired may be all the more significant for the obscurity of its authorship.

The original recipients of Hebrews would seem to have been Jewish believers well acquainted with the Old Testament Scriptures, with the records of the tabernacle experience of their fathers. It is impossible to say with certainty whether or not the acknowledgement of the sufferings they had endured hitherto (10:32-34) and the possible references to worse to come (12:4) indicate, as has been suggested, a date immediately before the persecutions of Nero. But many of the characteristics of those addressed emerge in the epistle, and the exhortation and teaching are closely tailored to their immediate needs. As in all the New Testament letters to Christians in churches of God, the achievements, weaknesses, aspirations and apprehensions of the saints strike answering chords in our own hearts and we appreciate afresh that the things written aforetime were indeed written for our learning.

It is a notable fact that in the New Testament epistles some of the most profound Christian doctrine is embedded in discourses on the basic principles of Christian living. It is into the turbulence and perplexity of the market-place of everyday spiritual experience that the Holy Spirit injects some of the most penetrating theology and the most far-reaching doctrine. Let none say the two areas of the believer's experience of God are other than intimately related. An outstanding example is in Phil.2. "Have this mind in you..." - then, "who being in the form of God..."; from living together in harmony to the deepest truths of the eternal Person and the atoning work of Christ So it is with Hebrews. To believers whose spiritual life was, at the best, in shaky condition, comes the arresting challenge of the eternal deity of the Son; His sinless humanity in all its perfection, and the completeness of experience mediated through suffering. Neither angels nor patriarchs can compare. Outflowing from it all is His eternal, majestic, unchangeable priesthood, and the believer's glorious access to the holies through this unblemished minister of the true sanctuary. Compared with the old Israel tabernacle heritage all is better, eternal. Old has given place to new; distance to nearness; shadow to substance. Declares the writer, in effect, You cannot, you must not "neglect" "disobey", "fall away from" such a birthright of spiritual wealth. Unbelief, immaturity, blurred vision threatened a true appreciation of the great collective thing God saw for Himself in a people in priestly service. All of this is meant to grip the hearts of the beloved saints to whom Hebrews was written. Up to the end of chapter 10 teaching, warning, exhortation and the depiction of the things of heavenly worship are interwoven, yet in steadily progressive build-up, as the earlier articles in this series have shown one by one in some detail.

Having already presented Christ the incomparable in ch. 1 and 2 the writer now parades in honorable procession (ch. 11) men and women of faith from the past; then the epistle flows on into the most direct of practical Christian life teaching. The entrancing, awe-inspiring portrayal of the celestial scene, the heavenly Jerusalem, Mount Zion to which "ye are come", introduced in ch. 12, further enriches the flow of practical instruction and exhortation. These heavenly realms are the place of their, and our, citizenship. He is there in supreme exaltation. But down here His place is, and ever will be, "outside the camp". Keep your eye on that heavenly place with the inexpressible glories of the city of the living God; with the true tabernacle; its sanctuary which the Lord pitched, into which you, the people of God, can enter boldly through the new and living way in holy priesthood service. And as far as this world is concerned, joyfully share His outside place, bearing His reproach. Do not forget, however, that in this collective holy service, which is yours today, there is a divine order of human government through them that have the rule over you. Remember and obey them. (So might we paraphrase in direct speech the flowing thoughts of the writer of this superb Christian treatise.) "And the God of peace" - beautiful title of benediction - "make you perfect in every good thing to do His will" - words which say it all.

As has been ably demonstrated by earlier contributors in this series, the epistle to the Hebrews, in the course of this elevated and moving appeal to the hearts of spiritually insecure saints, contains teaching nowhere else developed in the New Testament. Peter in his first epistle, presents a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, a spiritual house, a holy and royal priesthood of saints. We lay this alongside the more expansive treatment of the divine purpose for the spiritual service of the holies, such as we have alone in Hebrews - and a picture emerges of unique beauty and completeness for the people of God who today in churches of God have eyes to see a divine purpose precious to God's heart.

Hebrews holds a mirror to the people of God today in many solemn respects. We are so susceptible to spiritual immaturity (5:12-14); to discouragement at even limited suffering (12:3,4); to neglect of "so great salvation" (2:3); to falling away from the living God (3:12). The writer of this epistle had unshackled spiritual ambition for the saints. It is not enough that they should understand the deliverance from eternal judgement which their faith in Christ had brought them. "Faith" in Hebrews touches more than that. It is the basis of progress to great things in spiritual experience; towards "full-grown men" (5:14); to running our race with patience (12:1,2); to perfection in every good thing to do His will (13:20,21); to collective boldness in access to the very shrine of the heavenly sanctuary (10:19). There is something uniquely comprehensive about this epistle for the saint of God. There is much encouragement and exhortation at the individual and personal level, e.g. as the heroes of the past are presented as examples of faith in action, and in the practical counsel to honour marriage and to steer clear of the love of money (13:4,5). But, outstandingly, there is the collective service of a people in a divine position.

A deliberate attempt has been made above to scan this epistle to the Hebrews. It is a book which often attracts very detailed attention to its many absorbing topics of spiritual instruction. And well it may. Yet each of these is enriched by the backdrop of the fabric of total experience of the original recipients and the all-embracing ministry of Christ which is offered. To employ a different metaphor, we should not only enjoy the beauties of the lower and middle slopes as we climb to the summit of the teaching of the holies. We should also survey this majestic mountain of God in all its complete strength and grandeur.

Those privileged to serve God in churches of God, a people for His own

possession, will always have a very special place in their spiritual affections for this epistle with its exceedingly rich veins of truth and teaching. May it ever be so; and may its glories direct the hearts of many lovers of the Son towards the house over which He is supreme in authority (3:6).

J.D. Terrell, Carlisle | Dec 1980
Themes From Hebrews