Reading the Epistle to the Hebrews : a resource for students (original) (raw)

s of Professors Mason’s, McCruden’s, and Torgerson’s chapters from Reading the Epistle to the Hebrews: A Resource for Students Resources for Biblical Study Series (SBL/Brill) Edited by Eric F. Mason and Kevin B. McCruden Eric F. Mason, Judson University “Cosmology, Messianism, and Melchizedek: Apocalyptic Jewish Traditions and Hebrews” The author of Hebrews uses the figure of Melchizedek in a very important way in his argument that Jesus is an eternal high priest with a status greater than the Levitical priesthood. In doing so the author utilizes the two biblical accounts of Melchizedek (Gen 14:18-20 and Ps 110:4) but also reflects traditions about the figure current in Second Temple Judaism, including apocalyptic traditions from Qumran. Though much debated in Hebrews scholarship, the author also holds to a cosmology strongly influenced by Jewish apocalyptic thought. This essay considers Hebrews’ discussion of Melchizedek, its cosmology, messianism, and other ties to Second Temple J...