The Epistles to the Hebrews

8  The Ep i s t l e to the Hebrews : Par t I

This course’s main purpose is to help each student better understand the relationship between the two Testaments of Holy Scripture, and how they relate to the person of Jesus of Nazareth as Apostle, Son, High Priest, and God’s final revelation. As a result of taking this course, each student should be able to: • Quote, interpret, and use effectively key scriptures from Hebrews • Express how Christ’s dynamic salvation gives new meaning to the stories of the Old Testament • Identify the key issues surrounding Hebrews scholarship • Explain key doctrines within the book of Hebrews (the nature of salvation, personal holiness, Christian suffering, etc.) • Communicate the role of typology in Biblical interpretation • Address central concerns of Christian living and church life through the insights contained in the book of Hebrews The study of Hebrews is one of the most important studies in Scripture. As a matter of fact, we have selected the book of Hebrews at the Institute as the book that ties both Old and New Testament together in the person and work of Jesus. Hebrews is significant for many reasons. First, it establishes Jesus’ divinity as God Son and heir. Second, it shows his fulfillment and superiority over the key Old Testament characters of faith – Moses, Joshua, and Aaron, among others. Perhaps the most important reason is its great detail about the sufficiency and superiority of Christ. This course brings into clear focus the heart message of the Christian faith and its theology. All that God has revealed to us has been in order to show us Christ. Christ is magnificent. The goal of this course is not just that you understand the different scholarly issues surrounding Hebrews, or some questions we are bound to begin to wrestle with, but a big part of the course is going to be your own love for and walk with Christ. This course should help you grow in your knowledge of Christ, as everything that God wants to do in your life is contingent on your knowledge of this Nazarene. To know Christ is to know life. To literally have Christ, is to have everything God ever wanted to give. Your life, according to the genius of the Bible, will never go beyond your experience of Christ. And so every one of our brief lessons is on Christ, every chapter we are going to study is going to be about him. We study because we are disciples. We want to know him, to love him, to follow him, to live for him and represent him.