Hebrews and James Flashcards
Motivations for Christian Persecution
Conflicting allegiance
Non-participation in sacrifices
Economics, non-patriotic
Secret meetings
Types of Persecution
Widespread, State-Sponsored (uncommon until 3 AD)
Local, Sporadic (could be deadly, mobs, local gov)
Individual (awkward moments, relationships harmed)
Correspondence between Emperor Trajan and Pliny the Younger
112 AD
Pliny was the governor of Bithynia-Pontus
Shows case-by-case nature of persecution
Christians not sought out- brought to him
Book of Hebrews genre
Letter, but closer to a sermon
Book of Hebrews author
Anonymous- we have no idea
Context of Book of Hebrews
Written in times of persecution, endurance in the face of suffering
Book of Hebrews Theology
Problem of needing to explain Jesus- confusion about who he is
Event- Jesus- beginning
BOH Jesus’ significance
Superiority- Jesus is superior to angels, Moses and Joshua, and Priests because he is worshiped and sinless
Jesus Priest Theory
Jesus is a priest according to order of Melchizedek
All other priests trace lineage to Aaron
Melchizedek superior to Aaron as he blesses him
Book of James role of Jesus
Jesus as messiah (anointed one)
Jesus as prophet, priest and king
BOJ Problem of Creation
Wisdom is based on finding patterns in creation, but Jesus seems to bring an upside-down world. Is wisdom possible after Jesus?
Genre of James
Letter, but more like a sermon
‘Wisdom for Christians’
Author of James
Attributed to James, brother of Jesus
Potential conflict between James and Paul
James suggests you’re saved by work, not faith alone
Debate about if they’re conflicting or merely addressing different situations
