NT632 - The Epistle to the Hebrews (Greek Text)

  • 0 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 4
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • new testamentUnit Discipline

Prerequisites

LA004A, LA004B.

Corequisites

NT502.

Exclusions

NT622.

This unit may not be taken if Hebrews has been taken in unit NT628/638.

Set Text Greek

This unit counts towards the "set text" unit requirements of courses, and the original language set text requirement of the Master of Divinity.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

1. The Epistle to the Hebrews: authorship, date, destination.

2. The themes and theology of Hebrews.

3. The Greek text of Hebrews.

4. The nature and methods of New Testament exegesis.

5. A selection of historic and contemporary interpretations of Hebrews.

B. Be able to

1. Use sources such as lexicons, theological dictionaries, grammars, textual analyses, commentaries and on-line resources.

2. Identify the authorship, date and purpose.

3. Translate into English.

4. Evaluate textual variants and issues in the history of the text.

5. Recognise literary form, genre, structure and rhetorical conventions.

6. Utilize the historical, social and cultural contexts.

7. Assign passages to the literary and canonical contexts.

8. Establish the meaning of significant words and phrases in the contexts of the epistle and other epistles.

9. Trace inter-textual references and allusions.

10. Discuss the main themes, arguments and theological teachings.

11. Translate and Exegete the Greek text of Hebrews.

12. Discuss interpretations of Hebrews.

C. Be in a position to

1. Exegete the Greek text of Hebrews for personal understanding and for use in ministry contexts.

2. Integrate perspectives from Hebrews into biblical interpretation and  Christian thinking.

3. Apply the teaching of Hebrews to situations and issues in contemporary Christianity and society.

4. Evaluate interpretations of Hebrews.

Content

1. An introduction to Hebrews, including questions of authorship, date, destination.

2. The theology of the epistle, including such themes as the old and new covenants, sacrifice, perfection,  apostasy, the use of the Old Testament, Christology, cross and ascension, and eschatology.

3. Translation and exegesis of the Greek text of Hebrews 1–8, 12.

Set Readings

General Studies

Hagner, D. A., Encountering the Book of Hebrews (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002).

Schenck, K. L., Understanding the Book of Hebrews (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2003).

Classic

Isaacs, M. E., Sacred Space: An Approach to the Theology of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Sheffield: SAP, 1992).

Commentaries

De Silva, D. A., Perseverance in Gratitude: A Socio–Rhetorical Commentary on the Epistle “to the Hebrews” (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2000).

Guthrie, G. H., Hebrews (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998).

Johnson, L. T., Hebrews: A Commentary (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 2006).

Koester, C. R., Hebrews (New York: Doubleday, 2001).

Pfitzner, V. C., Hebrews (Nashville: Abingdon, 1997).

Witherington, B., III. Letters and Homilies for Jewish Christians: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Hebrews, James and Jude. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2007).

Classics

Attridge, H., The Epistle to the Hebrews .(Philadelphia: Fortress, 1989).

Ellingworth, P., The Epistle to the Hebrews (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993).

Lane, W. L., Hebrews: A Call to Commitment (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1985).

Lane, W. L., Hebrews (2 Vols; Dallas, TX: Word, 1991).