To the Hebrews as a Classical Text

By: Suresh Shenoy

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

To the New Testament researchers, the Letter to the Hebrews has remained mysterious, until now. No doubt it is difficult to comprehend, though not as baffling as the Book of Revelation. The present study shows ways out of the impasse.
First, the Hebrews is better read as a classical text. The conventions of the classics used in it are the clues to unravel its seeming mystery and to grasp its embedded textual meaning.
Second, the sequence of related works of early Christian literature offers the possibility of intertextuality among contemporary documents.
The sequence begins with Clement’s Epistle to the Corinthians (96 CE), followed by a Gentile Christian response to it in Luke’s Gospel (105–110 CE). Luke is supported by a Judeo Christian response to Clement in the Book of Revelation (110–115 CE). The Letter to the Hebrews (115–125 CE) reacts to the Book of Revelation.
What is hidden in this sequence of action and reaction is the close link between Clement’s Epistle and the Hebrews. As a corollary, it helps to identify who wrote the Hebrews and when.
Further, it transforms the framing of Peter and the Judeo Christians by Paul and his Gentile faction for the Great Fire at Rome in 64 CE, conspired to shield Nero from the victims of the arson. This is the most significant contribution of the Book of Revelation.
More importantly, the betrayal by Paul, with associated betrayal by Judas, becomes a new paradigm which defines the Pauline Church, its clandestine origins, and its subsequent complex history to our own times.