Hebrews (2nd ed.)
in Readings: A New Biblical Commentary
Pages
220
Publisher
Sheffield Phoenix Press
Published
2008
ISBN-13
9781905048915
This commentary on the Letter to the Hebrews envisages the recipients of the letter as a community that has embraced the Christian message but is beginning to question its adequacy to meet their spiritual needs. They have given up the richness of Jewish ritual and cultic tradition for a way of life that lacks the venerable symbols and institutions they had previously valued.
Gordon highlights the arguments and rhetorical strategies the author uses to counter this feeling of ‘cultic deficit’ as he draws attention to what they actually possess in consequence of their Christian commitment.
The Letter to the Hebrews has particular contemporary relevance today because, in warning the community against ‘going back’, the author implies that Christianity has superseded their ancestral Jewish faith. That may seem a slight on the religion ‘superseded’, but Gordon points out that Judaism itself, as well as Christianity, represents a significant break with the religion of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Jewish —Christian dialogue would profit from being conducted in that light.
Gordon highlights the arguments and rhetorical strategies the author uses to counter this feeling of ‘cultic deficit’ as he draws attention to what they actually possess in consequence of their Christian commitment.
The Letter to the Hebrews has particular contemporary relevance today because, in warning the community against ‘going back’, the author implies that Christianity has superseded their ancestral Jewish faith. That may seem a slight on the religion ‘superseded’, but Gordon points out that Judaism itself, as well as Christianity, represents a significant break with the religion of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. Jewish —Christian dialogue would profit from being conducted in that light.