Trevor A. Hart

The papers given regarding the letter to the Hebrews to the St. Andrews Conference on Scripture and Theology.

These papers do not have a unifying theme beyond the Hebrews letter. They cover many aspects of the letter: Christology, cosmology, supersessionism, soteriology, modern application, theology of Scripture, and the call to faith in Hebrews 11.

As with all such collections there is some unevenness in papers. Bauckham's incisive analysis of chapter 1 as it relates to Jesus' divinity is show more masterful and worth the whole work. The exploration of His humanity and the exordium as a whole is good. The cosmological perspective is interesting; Polkinghorne will always make you think. The discussion of supersessionism is relevant and surrounds Hays' perspective on the matter. The discussions on salvation and faith are good; Witherington's concluding sermon is apt.

A useful resource when considering the letter to the Hebrews. show less

While these meditations began with two intriguing and somewhat provocative chapters it quickly becomes overwhelmed by the influence of modern exegetical methods where long-held understandings of the text are overturned in favor of more modern readings. For instance the authors make a point of distinguishing the disciple, John, from the "disciple whom Jesus loved. This interpretation is then used in an attempt to say that none of the twelve disciples were present at the cross. And finally the show more authors take rather heavy liberty in inferring the inner beliefs, feelings, and thoughts of people we knew very little about. In the end these meditations become far more eisegesis then exegesis which is not very compelling. show less

The first four chapters provide theological reflections on Christian hope. This section will be difficult for many readers to slog through, but there are moments of profundity. Chapter 5 discusses specific aspects of eschatology. Although the comments on each topic are brief, they are thought-provoking. The last chapter provides reflections on the role that eschatology plays in the Christian's engagement with the world.

Like anything by Bauckham and Hart this book is a very readable book. Stimulating and thought-provoking.