Article archive
08/03/2009 08:01
Among those who debate the issue, a few labels have come to identify the sides. Those who do not believe the Bible limits the roles of women have been mistakenly (although sometimes derisively) called Feminists. Those who believe the Bible limits women have been called Hierarchalists. The...
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08/03/2009 07:31
Why a study about women? In many conservative Christian circles, the mere mention of considering women in ministry beyond traditional roles may be met with disapproval. “The Bible is clear,” they declare with memorized “proof” verse. Even merely reviewing the issue may receive a charge of...
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08/03/2009 07:23
The author of Hebrews wrote this letter to Roman Jews who were struggling. They were shallow Christians who were veering back toward the Judaism that they had formerly left in order to embrace Christ. The author argued that Christ is better than the priestly system of the old covenant. They...
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08/03/2009 07:22
Chapter 11 is the most well known portion of the book of Hebrews. Some have referred to it as the Faith Hall of Fame. Some people also have viewed the first verse as a definition of faith. Advancing either of those two ideas, however, does not appear to be the author’s intent.
The first...
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08/03/2009 07:21
Ever since explaining the order of Melchizedek at the beginning of chapter 7, the author has unveiled more and more detail in the comparison of the old Hebrew form to that of Christ’s high priestly ministry. Chapter 7 showed how Christ’s priesthood was superior. Chapter 8 revealed the better...
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08/03/2009 07:10
When discussing chapter 7, we skimmed over one thought to which we will now return for a moment. In the first few verses of that chapter, the author recounts almost all we know of Melchizedek from the Old Testament. The portion not specified has to do with the very first act of Melchizedek as he...
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08/03/2009 07:03
In chapters 5 and 6 of Hebrews, we learned that Jesus was a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. That statement, quoted in 5:6 from Psalm 110:4 and repeated in 5:10, and 6:20, begs the question concerning what exactly the order of Melchizedek is. Perhaps the author not only anticipated...
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08/03/2009 06:53
In Hebrews 5:11, the heart of the author begins to come through. And it is in this verse that we begin to see the dual purpose of this letter. So many scholars have found it difficult (and even impossible, considering the current lack of consensus) to organize the book effectively. I think part...
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08/03/2009 06:52
Verse 14 of chapter 4 seems rather abrupt in turning our attention to the thought of Christ as high priest. The suddenness, however, may be striking to only us 21st century Christians. Remember that one of the reasons we believe that the recipients of this epistle were Jewish Christians is...
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08/03/2009 06:51
The author of Hebrews has emphasized the Sonship of Christ as the reason for his superiority to angels. In patrimony, position, and privilege, Christ is better precisely because he is Son. That means that the discussion does not dwell on Christ’s superiority in his deity. Of course, he is God,...
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