Epistle to the Hebrews

THEO-238 Later NT Writings (Epistle to the Hebrews)

Course Description and Schedule

Phones: 414-288-7649 (office); 414-962-3460 (home)

Office: Coughlin Hall, 217

This course will explore the Epistle to the Hebrews in the light of the Second Temple mediatorial traditions. Alongside the standard questions of the background, the date, the authorship, and the structure of the book, the course will focus on the author's use of traditions about the exalted patriarchs, prophets, and priests (such as Adam, Abel, Enoch, Noah, Melchisedek, Abraham, Moses, and Levi) in the construction of Jesus' priestly and messianic identity.

Format:

Seminar - a mixture of introductory lectures, discussions, and student led presentations.

Language Prerequisites:

Greek is required for Biblical division students. All students will be encouraged to utilize relevant sources in French and/or German in preparation of their papers.

Required Texts:

1. For Biblical division students:

Erwin Nestle, Kurt Aland, et al., eds., Novum Testamentum Graece (26^th or 27^th ed.: Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 1993) or Kurt Aland, Matthew Black, et al., eds., The Greek New Testament (3^rd or 4^th ed.; New York: United Bible Societies/American Bible Society, 1993).

For all other students:

NRSV, RSV, or equivalent. Any interlinear Greek New Testament.

2. Harold Attridge, The Epistle to the Hebrews (Hermeneia Commentary; Fortress, 1989). = Attridge.

3. Electronic Materials.

Assignments:

Two short seminar papers/presentations (3-5 pages each); one longer course paper (15-20 pages); two books reviews; three one page responses to papers of other students.

1. Two short papers/presentations will deal with the theological content of selected materials from the Epistle to the Hebrews. It is necessarily that a student along with the exegesis of the selected materials can also explore their theological background in the biblical and extra-biblical texts. The materials for the first paper/presentation will be assigned alphabetically by the instructor, the materials for the second paper/presentation will be chosen by a student. The short papers/presentations should contain 3-4 pages of single spaced prose and a page of bibliography, to be passed out to all class-members one week before class discussion. There will be a respondent (a friendly respondent!) assigned to each paper whose task will be to prepare a one page double spaced response with some critical questions to the presenter. The response will be distributed to all class-members on the day of presentation.

2. The major assignment will be a seminar paper of 15-20 pages, focusing on the literary, theological, social, or historical questions pertaining to the Epistle to the Hebrews. The paper is due December 11. The topic of the final paper will be chosen by student. It can be based on student’s short papers/presentations. Your final paper should conform to the style sheet presented in the SBL Handbook of Style (Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999). The Handbook can be found in the library (CALL NUMBER: PN 147.S26) and on the Internet in the PDF. format.

The initial paper proposal should be one or two pages of single space prose describing your topic and the aims of your project, plus another page of preliminary bibliography. The paper proposal with bibliography is due to instructor on Monday, October 2.

The student will present a preliminary draft of the paper during the last two weeks of class. The preliminary draft will be passed out to all class-members on a session before class discussion.

3. Reviews. Each student will prepare two book reviews. The syllabus provides the list of books for reviews. Book reviews should be 1-2 pages of single space prose. The first review will be assigned by the instructor, the second book review will be chosen by a student.

All electronic documents listed in the schedule are available for download only as *. pdf files. These files require free Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to be viewed.

COURSE SCHEDULE:

August 28: Introduction of Instructor and Students. Discussion of the Syllabus.

Main Bibliography

August 30: Backgrounds: Divine Mediators

Reading: Larry W. Hurtado, One God, One Lord (2^nd ed.; London: T&T Clark, 1998) chapter 1, chapters 2 and 3. P. Davis, “Divine Agents, Mediators, and New Testament Christology,” JTS 45 (1994) 479-503.
Background Reading: J. Davila, A Methodology for Studying Divine Mediators; L. Stuckenbruck, “’Angels’ and ‘God’: Exploring the Limits of Early Jewish Monotheism,” M. Barker, The Great Angel: A Study of Israel's Second God (London: SPCK, 1992); J. Fossum, “The New Religionsgeschichtliche Schule: The Quest for Jewish Christology,” 1991 SBL Seminar Papers (Atlanta, Ga.: Scholars Press, 1991) 638-46.
Bibliography on the Divine Mediators

September 4: Labor Day Holiday – No Class

September 6: Backgrounds: Divine Mediators

Reading: Larry W. Hurtado, One God, One Lord (2^nd ed.; London: T&T Clark, 1998) chapter 4.
Background Reading: A. Chester, “Jewish Messianic Expectations and Mediatorial Figures,” in: Paulus und das antike Judentum (ed. M. Hengel; Tübingen: Mohr/Siebeck, 1991) 17-89 part I; part II; C. A. Gieschen, Angelomorphic Christology: Antecedents and Early Evidence (Leiden: Brill, 1998); D. Hannah, Michael and Christ: Michael Traditions and Angel Christology in Early Christianity (WUNT 2/109; Tübingen: Mohr/Siebeck, 1999).
St. Andrews University web-resource on the Divine Mediators.
St.Andrews University’s bibliography on the Divine Mediators.

September 11: Backgrounds: Heavenly Temple/Heavenly Priests

Reading: M. Barker, “Veil,” “Throne I,” “Throne II,” from: M. Barker, The Gate of Heaven: The History and Symbolism of the Temple in Jerusalem (London: SPCK, 1991);
Background Reading: M. Barker, The Temple Roots of the Liturgy, M. Barker,”Beyond the Veil of the Temple. The High Priestly Origin of the Apocalypses.” J. Levinson, “The Jerusalem Temple in Devotional and Visionary Experience,” in: Jewish Spirituality (2 vols.; ed. A. Green; New York: Crossroad, 1986) 1.32-61.
Bibliography on the Heavenly Temple Traditions

September 13: Backgrounds: Heavenly Temple/Heavenly Priests

Reading: M. Himmelfarb, “From Ezekiel to the Book of the Watchers,” 1 Enoch 14. Testament of Levi 8
Background Reading: R. Elior, “From Earthly Temple to Heavenly Shrines: Prayer and Sacred Song in the Hekhalot Literature and Its Relation to Temple Traditions,” JSQ 4 (1997) 217–67, Part 1 and Part 2.

September 18: Hebrews: Authorship, Date, Provenance, and Recipients

Reading: Attridge, 1-13.
Background Reading: D. A. deSilva, Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle "to the Hebrews" (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000) 1-23 (recipients, occasion, date, and location); 23-39 (author).
Materials for reviews: D. A. deSilva, Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle "to the Hebrews" (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000).

September 20: Hebrews: Genre and Structure

Reading: Attridge, 13-32.
Background Reading: “Genre” and “Literary Structure,” from: W.L. Lane, Hebrews 1-8 (Word, 47A; Nelson, 1991).
Materials for reviews: A. Vanhoye, S.J., Structure and Message of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Subsidia Biblica, 12; Rome: Pontifical Biblical Institute, 1989); G. H. Guthrie, The Structure of Hebrews: A Text-Linguistic Analysis (Leiden: Brill, 1994).

September 25 and 27: Hebrews 1 and 2

Reading: Attridge, 35-103; R. Bauckham, “Monotheism and Christology in Hebrews 1.”
Background Reading: R. Gleason, “Angels and Eschatology of Heb 1-2,” NTS 49 (2003) 90-107. Excerpt from the Life of Adam and Eve.
Materials for reviews: H. W. Bateman, Early Jewish Hermeneutics and Hebrews 1:5-13 (New York/Berlin: Peter Lang, 1997); D. R. Anderson, The King-Priest of Psalm 110 in Hebrews (SBL, 21; New York/Berlin: Peter Lang, 2001); A. F. Segal, Two Powers in Heaven: Early Rabbinic Reports about Christianity and Gnosticism (Leiden: Brill, 1977); L. T. Stuckenbruck, Angel Veneration and Christology: A Study in Early Judaism and in the Christology of the Apocalypse of John (Tubingen: Mohr-Siebeck, 1995).

October 2: Hebrews 3

Reading: Attridge, 104-121.
Background Reading: The Exagoge of the Ezekiel the Tragedian; J. Davila, How do the Mediators Figures Illuminate Origin of Worship of Jesus? A. Orlov, The Enoch-Metatron Tradition (TSAJ, 107; Tübingen: Mohr-Siebeck, 2005) 254-276.
Materials for reviews: M. R. D’Angelo, Moses in the Letter to the Hebrews (SBLDS, 42; Missoula, MT: Scholars, 1979); D. Peterson, Hebrews and Perfection: An Examination of the Concept of Perfection in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Cambridg: Cambridge University Press, 1982); L. K. Dey, The Intermediary World and Patterns of Perfection in Philo and Hebrews (Scholars, 1975); R. Williamson, Philo and the Epistle to the Hebrews (ALGHJ, 4; Leiden: Brill, 1970)
Additional Background: Adam; Anthropos; Son of Man; Glory.

October 4: Hebrews 4

Reading: Attridge, 122-142.
Background Reading: C. Fletcher-Louis, Jesus and the High Priest; C. Fletcher-Louis, “The High Priest as Divine Mediator in the Hebrew Bible,”
Materials for reviews: M.E. Isaacs, Sacred Space. An Approach to the Theology of the Epistle to the Hebrews (JSNTSS, 73; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1992); A. De Conick, Voices of the Mystics (JSNTSS, 157; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001).

October 9: Hebrews 5

Reading: Attridge, 142-162.
Background Reading: J. Davila, Melchizedek as a Divine Mediator; J. Fitzmyer, S.J., “Melchizedek in the MT, LXX, and the NT,” Biblica 81 (2000) 63-69; J. Swetnam, “The Crux at Hebrews 5, 7-8.”
Materials for reviews: J. M. Scholer, Proleptic Priests. Priesthood in the Epistle to the Hebrews (JSNTSS, 49; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1991);

October 11: Hebrews 6

Reading: Attridge, 162-185.
Background Reading: N. Young/R. Davidson, "The Day of Dedication or the Day of Atonement."
Materials for reviews: I. Salevao, Legitimation in the Letter to the Hebrews: The Construction and Maintenance of a Symbolic Universe (JSNTSS, 219; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2002); E. Käsemann, The Wandering People of God: An Investigation of the Letter to the Hebrews (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1984).

October 16, 18, and 23: Hebrews 7

Reading: Attridge, 186-215; 11QMelchizedek; 2 Enoch 71; Testament of Levi 8
Background Reading: P. Kobelski, Melchizedek and Melchiresa (CBQMS, 10; Washington: CBA, 1981) 115-129; M. McNamara, “Melchizedek: Gen 14, 17-20 in the Targums, in Rabbinic and Early Christian Literature,” Biblica 81 (2000) 1-31; D.W. Rooke, “Jesus as Royal Priest: Reflections on the Interpretation of the Melchizedek Tradition in Heb 7,” Biblica 81 (2000) 81-94; Jerome H. Neyrey, S.J."Without Beginning of Days or End of Life" (Heb 7:3): Topos for a True Deity," J. Davila, Melchizedek, Michael, and the War in Heaven; A. Orlov, Mechizedek Legend of 2 (Slavonic) Enoch;
Materials for reviews: F. L. Horton, The Melchizedek Tradition (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976); P. Kobelski, Melchizedek and Melchiresa (CBQMS, 10; Washington: CBA, 1981).

October 25: Hebrews 8

Reading: Attridge, 216-229,
Background Reading: Songs of Sabbath Sacrifice; C.R.A. Morray-Jones, “The Temple Within,” SBLSP 37.1 (1998) 400-431. A. Orlov, “Celestial Choirmaster: The Liturgical Role of Enoch-Metatron in 2 Enoch and Merkabah Tradition,” Journal for the Study of the Pseudepigrapha 14.1 (2004) 3-29.
Materials for reviews: C. Koester, The Dwelling of God: The Tabernacle in the Old Testament, Intertestamental Jewish Literature and the New Testament (Washington: CBA, 1989); A. Cody, O.S.B., Heavenly Sanctuary and Liturgy in the Epistle to the Hebrews (St. Meinrad, Indiana: Grail Publications, 1960); R. Elior, Three Temples: On the Emergence of Jewish Mysticism (Oxford: Littman Library of Jewish Civilization, 2004); S. Lehne, The New Covenant in Hebrews (JSNTSS, 44; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1990); A.J. McNicol, The Relationship of the Image of the Highest Angel to the High Priest Concept in Hebrews (Ph.D. Diss.; Vanderbilt University, 1974).

October 30: Hebrews 9

Reading: Attridge, 230-266.
Background Reading: D. R. de Lacey, “Jesus as Mediator,” JSNT 29 (1987) 101-121.
Materials for reviews: M. Barker, The Great High Priest: The Temple Roots of Christian Liturgy (London: T&T Clark, 2003);J. Swetnam, Jesus and Isaac. A Study of the Epistle to the Hebrews in the Light of the Aqedah (AnBib 94; Rome, 1981); W. G. Johnsson, Defilement and Purgation in the Book of Hebrews (Ph.D. Diss.; Vanderbilt University, 1973); W. K. Gilders, Blood Ritual in the Hebrew Bible: Meaning and Power (Baltimore: John Hopkins, 2004).

November 1: Hebrews 10

Reading: Attridge, 267-304.
Materials for reviews: J. Dunnill, Covenant and Sacrifice in the Letter to the Hebrews (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992); R. Gheorghita, The Role of the Septuagint in Hebrews (WUNT, 2.160; Tübingen: Mohr/Siebeck, 2003); J. C. Adams, The Epistle to the Hebrews with Special Reference to the Problem of Apostasy in the Church to Which It was Addressed (Ph.D. Diss.; Leeds University, 1964).

November 6 and 8: Hebrews 11

Reading: Attridge, 305-352, Testament of Abraham 11 (recension B); 1 Enoch 106. Apocalypse of Abraham 9-12; A. De Conick, Voices of the Mystics (JSNTSS, 157; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001) chapter 3 and chapter 5;
Background Reading: A. Orlov, “The Heir of Righteousness and the King of Righteousness: The Priestly Noachic Polemics in 2 Enoch and the Epistle to the Hebrews.”
Materials for reviews: P. M. Eisenbaum, The Jewish Heroes of Christian History: Hebrews 11 in Literary Context (SBLDS, 156; Atlanta: Scholars, 1997); M. R. Cosby, The Rhetorical Composition and Function of Hebrews 11: In Light of Example Lists in Antiquity (Macon: Mercer University Press, 1988); V. (Sung-Yul) Rhee, Faith in Hebrews: Analysis within the Context of Christology, Eschatology, and Ethics (SBL, 19; New York/Berlin: Peter Lang, 2001).

November 13: Hebrews 12

Reading: Attridge, 353-383.
Background Reading:
Materials for reviews: N. C. Croy, Endurance in Suffering: Hebrews 12:1-13 in Its Rhetorical, Religious, and Philosophical Context (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998).

November 15: Hebrews 13

Reading: Attridge 384-410.
Background Reading: D. Boyarin, “Introduction,” in D. Boyarin, The Partition of Judaeo-Christianity (Philadelphia, 2004) 1-33; H. Koester, “’Outside the Camp’: Hebrews 13.9-14,” HTR 55 (1962) 299-315.
Materials for reviews: R. W. Johnson, Going Outside the Camp: The Sociological Function of the Levitical Critique in the Epistle to the Hebrews (JSNTSS, 209; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 2001); W. Klassen, “To the Hebrews or against the Hebrews? Anti-Judaism and the Epistle to the Hebrews,” in: Anti-Judaism in Early Christianity (Waterloo: Wilfred Laurier University, 1986) 2.1-16.

November 20: Dr. Orlov in Washington for the AAR/SBL annual meeting – No Class

November 22: Thanksgiving Holiday –No Class

November 27 and 29: Long Papers Presentations

December 4 and 6: Long Papers Presentations

December 11: Long Papers are Due

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