SUMMER BIBLE STUDY 2024

The Epistle to the Hebrews

7:30 pm on Wednesday evenings

beginning June 19

Themes:

+ Christology – Jesus as the Son of God

+ The High Priesthood of Christ

+ The Meaning of the Sacrifice of Christ

+ Exhortations to Remain Steadfast in the Faith

Vespers at 7:00 p.m.

Bible Study to follow

In our Education Center

Bring a Friend!
 

Class Notes posted below, in chronological order...

For Session 2, we will plan on covering Heb. 3 & 4. Here are the questions that are holding over from last week:

1) What is another unique title for Christ in 3:1 (found nowhere else in the NT)?

2) How is Christ superior to Moses? And what does the author mean by "rest" for the people of God in ch. 4? How does this relate to the "sabbath rest?" How can we forfeit this rest?

3) 4:12-13 contains another famous passage about the Word of God and God's omniscience. What do we take away from this passage?

Follow-up message from Fr Steven on June 25 regarding Session 2:

We are scheduled to study Heb. 3 & 4, but I now realize that Heb. 5:1-10 is thematically linked to Ch. 3 & 4. Therefore, please read that far into the Epistle for tomorrow evening. Here are some further notes that we will turn to in our discussion:

• Hebrews 3:7-19 refers directly to Psalm 95
• Especially 95:7b-11
• The place of the rebellion was called “Massah” (“testing”) and “Meribah” (“quarreling”).
• Psalm 95:7b = Heb. 3:7b Hearing God’s voice “today.”
• Psalm 95:8-10 = Heb. 3:8-9 Forty years of rebellion in the wilderness
• Psalm 95:10=11 = Heb. 3:10-11 Not finding “rest” in the land of Canaan

In these texts, the Scriptures are actualized. The same teaching is applied, not only in the past, but in the generation of the psalm. Then, in the “today” of the Epistle to the Hebrews and its recipients; and to those of us who hear and read this text “today.”

I would suggest also reading Ex. 17:1-7; Num. 14:21-23 in preparation for tomorrow evening. These are important texts about the "rebellion" or disobedience in the wilderness, cited or alluded to by the author of Hebrews.

If we begin to speak in more detail concerning the High Priesthood of Christ, Lev. 16 is an important chapter, especially v. 29-34.
 

Dear Parish Faithful,

Preparation for Wednesday's Bible Study - Our goal this at our next session is to cover Ch. 5-7 of The Epistle to the Hebrews. In these chapters the sacred writer begins his lengthy discussion/exposition of the superiority of Christ's high priesthood to the Levitical priesthood of ancient Israel. He interweaves passages of exhortation and stern warnings about falling away from faith in Christ.

Questions for Discussion:

+ If Jesus is the eternal Son of God, how is it that He "learned obedience by what He suffered?"

+ In 5:11 - 6:12 there is a call to Christian maturity, consisting of a reprimand (5:11-6:3), a stern warning (6:4-8) and a word of encouragement and hope (6:9-12). How is this an effective rhetorical approach?

+ In Ch. 5:12-14 we read of "solid food" and "milk" as metaphors for Christian learning and enlightenment. What is meant by this contrast?

+ In Ch. 5:11, the author concedes that some of the teachings of the Faith are "difficult to explain." What is he referring to?

+ In 6:1-2, what are some of the basic teachings that the Hebrews have already learned by becoming Christians?
What does the "anchor of the soul" refer to in 6:19?

+ Ch. 7 poses the basic question: How is Jesus a "priest forever after the order of Melchisedek?" The chart below can go a long way in helping us discuss this essential issue. Admittedly, some of the material here goes beyond Ch. 7, so do not hesitate to read further into the Epistle!

Deficiencies of the Aaronic Priesthood

1. Its ministers officiate on earth (8:4)

2. They are beset with sin (5:3)

3. They are continually replaced because of death (7:23)

4. Their sacrifices are powerless because they cannot take away sin (7:27; 10:1-4)

The Priesthood of Christ

1. He ministers in the sanctuary in heaven (8:1-2)

2. He is completely without sin (4:15)

3. His immortality eliminates the need of successors (7:24)

4. His priesthood is established by divine oath (7:20-21)

5. His single sacrifice is the definitive expiation of sin (10:5-18)

Dear Parish Faithful,

Here are a few questions to look at in preparation for Wednesday's Bible Study at 7:30 p.m. (No Vespers).

Letter to the Hebrews, Chapters 8 - 10

I have limited the number of questions to just two for each chapter. I want to encourage everyone to formulate your own question(s) based on your reading of Heb. 8-10. These chapters form the "heart" of the Epistle, and they need to be read carefully and perhaps more than once. Please bring up any questions that you may have formulated, so that we can discuss them together as a group on Wednesday.

• Ch. 8:1 What function does the citation of Psalm 110 serve in Hebrews? As a messianic psalm, what does it describe?

• Ch. 8:8-12 Why does the author of Hebrews quote so extensively from Jer. 31:31-34? How does Jeremiah contrast the Old Covenant with what he understands to be the new "covenant" that God will establish?

• Ch. 9:7-9 How does the sacrifice of Christ compare with that of the high priest as described here and in Lev. 16:15-19?

• ***Ch. 9:1-10 For a description of the Tent of Meeting, see Ex. 25:1-40. And see the links below.

• Ch. 9:11-14 If Christ has "entered once for all into the Holy Place" by his atoning death on the Cross, what is the point of offering the Sacrifice of the Liturgy every time that it is served?

• Ch. 10:1 What does it mean that "the law was a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities? 

• Ch. 10:31 Why is it a "fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God?" What image of God is this verse implying? Does it mean that God is wrathful?

I have included a couple of YouTube videos. There are dozens and dozens to chose from, so my choices are somewhat arbitrary. One factor was simply the length of each. I chose those that are short and concise. I will let you judge the quality of the accompanying music!

This one is a general look at the Tent of Meeting in the Wilderness:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75fHH9gPNrg

This one more specifically about the Ark of the Covenant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KejXOYayxjU

Dear Parish Faithful,

"For our God is a consuming fire." (Heb. 12:29)

We need a place of "retreat" from the chaos and confusion in the world today. "Retreat" is not "escape." It is a place of renewal and of reintegration, a place in which we rediscover life's true priorities. For a Christian, that "priority" is Christ. And that place of retreat is very accessible: It is the Church, of course, but also our communal life together. This all comes together with this coming Wednesday's Vespers at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Bible Study. Worship, Study. Fellowship. Parish life renewal at its (potential) best! 

Please think of joining us! And bring a fellow parishioner or friend!

Questions from Heb. 10-13:

• One more question from ch. 10: 32-39: What suffering had the community addressed in Hebrew undergone? How does the author expect that their belief in Christ will help them to persevere in the midst of their suffering?

• Ch.11: 1 - We definitely have to discuss in some depth Hebrew's very famous description/definition of faith in this verse. There are many different translations of the two key words in this passage: hypostasis (substance/realization); and elenchos evidence/proof). What does your translation have? Perhaps we cam compare some of these different translations. More importantly, how do you respond to this definition of faith? How can we expand on that definition? What challenges do we face in terms of our faith and its strength or weakness?

• Ch. 11: On the basis of the examples of biblical faith in Heb 11, what characteristics of faith seem to be most important? How do they correspond to your own faith experience?

• Ch. 12:1-17 How does the author of Heb explain/describe the meaning of suffering in this verses?

• Ch. 12:18-29 (also 13:7-17): What image of Christian worship emerges from these two passages? Can we call Heb a "liturgical epistle," together with the other designations that we ascribe to it?

Dear Parish Faithful,

It is never "too late."  Please join us for this final session!   We have an exciting finale to this Summer's Bible Study prepared. We will focus on Ch. 11 - 13 of the Epistle to the Hebrews.

Here are the questions from last Wednesday that we have not discussed yet:

Ch. 11: On the basis of the examples of biblical faith in Heb. 11, what characteristics of faith seem to be most important? How do the correspond to your own faith experience?

Ch. 12:1-17 How does the author of Heb. explain/describe the meaning of suffering in these verses. What are the strengths of this approach? The weaknesses?

Ch. 12:18-29 (also 13:7-17) What image of Christian worship emerges from these two passages? Can we call Heb. a "liturgical epistle," together with the other designations that we ascribe to it?

Ch. 13:1-8 How does this passage impact our sense of Christian praxis? What virtues are being emphasized in this passage?

Ch. 13:8 One of the most famous passages in Hebrews. Yet, how are we to understand this verse?

Ch. 13:20-21 One of the most explicit passages in Hebrews to clearly proclaim the Resurrection of Christ.

____

General Questions About the Entire Epistle:

+ What elements in Hebrews do you find most helpful or appealing? What is most difficult and problematic?

+ Do you see parallels between the Christ of Hebrews and the Jesus of the Gospels?

+ Who does the author balance the humanity and the divinity of Jesus?

____

Appraisals of the Letter to the Hebrews:

“This beautiful epistle reveals perhaps more clearly than any other part of the New Testament the way in which Jesus Christ fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament. Further, it contains the most detailed and systematic exposition of the doctrine of our Lord’s person and work, especially of His priesthood.” (Archbishop Dmitri)

“By all standards this is one of the most impressive works in the NT. Consciously rhetorical, carefully constructed, ably written in quality Greek, and passionately appreciative of Christ, Heb offers an exceptional number of unforgettable insights that have shaped subsequent Christianity. (Raymond Brown)

“Among the books of the New Testament, the Letter to the Hebrews stands out for its rhetorical and theological brilliance. It is arguable the greatest Christian sermon ever preached or written. Its author deserves to be revered as the patron saint of preachers. He has presented the essential claim of Christian faith that Christ died for our sins in a persuasive argument with a deep emotional appeal. One way to introduce this book is to describe Hebrews as a sermon in written form, of uncertain origin, intended to encourage perseverance in Christian faith. (Daniel J. Harrington)

“But who wrote the epistle, in truth only God knows.” (Origen of Alexandria +254)

Clearly, the most elegant and eloquent use of Greek in the NT. The author’s use of  "… rhythm, assonance, language, vocabulary, and syntax” is unique among NT authors. (Montefiore, p. 9)