Review article

Is the Purpose of the »Letter to the Hebrews« Doctrine or Moral Exhortation? The Importance of Moral Sections in the Writing »To the Hebrews«

Darko Tomašević orcid.org/0000-0002-4900-8308 ; Vrhbosna Catholic Theology, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract

The »Letter to the Hebrews« is a writing that contains doctrinal as well as moral sections in which it touches upon many topics. The main theme of the doctrinal sections is that of Jesus as the High priest; additional themes are of Christ’s sonship, exaltation, perfection and covenant. The main theme of the paraenetic sections is the people of God on their pilgrimage going to their final home. The »Letter« also speaks about the persistence in faith. These two main themes, doctrine (high priesthood) and moral exhortation (pilgrimage) intertwine and complement each other. Exhortations are based on doctrine, and doctrine leads to exhortations. Paraenetical sections have not been given proper attention. These sections boldly want to motivate moral conduct, allowing the community to focus on the High priest who is the motivating force for moral behavior. These moral exhortations are not very concrete, but encourage perseverance and fidelity. The purpose of the »Letter to the Hebrews« is connected with the main themes of doctrine and moral exhortations. On the one hand the writer wants to stress the doctrine and the role of the High priest, highlighting that there is no need for the sacrifices of levitical priesthood; on the other hand, the writer encourages believers not to leave the faith, but to hold fast to it (cf. Heb 4:14; 10:23). Exhortation draws its force from exposition about Christ’s high priesthood, and exposition derives from exhortation and gives reasons to the community to stay faithful. The structure of the writing of the »Letter to the Hebrews« proves that there is an interrelationship which can be seen boldly between moral sections (cf. Heb 2:1-4; 3:7 – 4:11; 4:14-16; 5:11 – 6:20; 10:19-25; 10:26-39; 12:1-13; 12:14-29; 13:1-17) and doctrinal sections. Each exhortation section is connected with the exposition, and in fact exhortations are based on expositions.

Keywords

moral exhortation; doctrinal exposition; interrelationship between morality and doctrine; theme and purpose of Heb; High priest; faith

Hrčak ID:

90462

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/90462

Publication date:

8.11.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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