Final Exam Books

Question 1

Hebrews Authorship

Answer 1

o Anonymous
o Early attribution to Paul bc of mention of Tim at end, today no one thinks it’s by
Paul
o Rhetorically skilled

Question 2

Hebrews Title and Audience

Answer 2

o Title: Letter to the Hebrews
-Everything abt this title is problematic. Doesn’t look like a letter, either
NT or otherwise…until the end. Author calls it a “word of exhortation”;
it’s a sermon or extended homily.

o Audience: “the Hebrews” – led some to think it was written to non-Christian
Jews. But anyone who reads it realizes it’s written to Jewish Christians. Modern
view – written to Xtian community composed of both Jews and Gentiles.

Question 3

Hebrews Situation:

Answer 3

o there has been physical persecution. But no fatalities (no one has died from
persec)
o spiritual fatigue (e.g., you are more tired now than at beginning of semester).
Reflected in, e.g., ppl not showing up to church.
o Loss of confidence in Jesus’ death as an effective atonement for sin

Question 4

Hebrews Content

Answer 4

 major theme: superiority of X. superior to:
 angels
 Moses
 Joshua (in Greek Jesus = Joshua)
 Aaron and entire Lev priesthood.
 Jesus is high priest after order of Melchizedek
 Melch – Gen – king of Salem (Jerusalem) . Abe gives Melch tithe.
 Primary source: Septuagint (LXX) – Greek translation of Heb Bible. But interpreted
Christologically.
 The only effective atonement was that of Jesus
 Superior covenant with God than that mediated by Moses
 Exhortations to faithful endurance. Series of ex’s from Abe to X

Question 5

The Catholic Letters/Epistles (CE)

Answer 5

o “catholic” with small C – general, universal. Paul’s letters to specific communities, CE
not so – Xtian community at large.
o 7 letters.
o 5 assoc w/ an apostle
      1, 2 Peter
      1, 2, 3 John
o 2 assoc w/ relatives of Jesus
      James
      Jude (name actually Judas, but changed in Eng to disting from traitor

Question 6

The Catholic Letters/Epistles (CE) Authorship

Answer 6

o 1, 2, 3 John – anon

o Rest – pseudon in Fitz’s opinion, but a few could be genuine

Question 7

James Takes up two key issues in the church:

Answer 7

 Partiality - how ppl were treated when they entered the assembly for
worship, rich vs poor. Beginning of ch 2 – do u with your favoratism
really believe in X?

Question 8

James Faith vs works

Answer 8

 Paul: gen 15 and Gen 22. Faith in God displayed in Gen 15 – Abe believed
that even though he was old, he would have children. According to Paul,
Abe justified in Gen 15. Not in Gen 22, akedah, when he demonstrates
faith by willingness to sacrifice Isaac.
 James – abe justified by works when he offered Isaac on altar