We have a great high priest : an examination of the relation between Christ and the faithful in the thought of the author to the Hebrews
There is a tradition of interpretation, testimony to the influence of Kasemann's study of Hebrews which suggests that the finished work of Christ in the past is the guarantee of certain salvation for his faithful in the future. The relation between them is presented in terms of their following him to heaven. However, this does not allow that the emphasis on the completed aspect of Christ's work and the future element in the believers' salvation are connected with the occasional nature of Hebrews as a letter written to those tempted to abandon their Christian commitment. In fact the work of Christ is completed and yet continuing, salvation for the faithful both present and yet future. An analysis of major themes indicates that the relation between Christ and the believers is not future and indirect but rather present and direct. As <i>rest</i> for the people of God is both present and future, so <i>faith</i> has an 'invisible' aspect which is the foundation for its 'future' aspect. It is 'by faith' that the readers look to Jesus whose ministry ensures their present access to God 'in fulness of faith'. Integral to his understanding of <i>sin</i> and to his presentation of the <i>sacrifice</i> of Christ is the
Browne, A. S.
Religious philosophy
We have a great high priest : an examination of the relation between Christ and the faithful in the thought of the author to the Hebrews. There is a tradition of interpretation, testimony to the influence of Kasemann's study of Hebrews which suggests that the finished work of Christ in the past is the guarantee of certain salvation for his faithful in the future. The relation between them is presented in terms of their following him to heaven. However, this does not allow that the emphasis on the completed aspect of Christ's work and the future element in the believers' salvation are connected with the occasional nature of Hebrews as a letter written to those tempted to abandon their Christian commitment. In fact the work of Christ is completed and yet continuing, salvation for the faithful both present and yet future. An analysis of major themes indicates that the relation between Christ and the believers is not future and indirect but rather present and direct. As <i>rest</i> for the people of God is both present and future, so <i>faith</i> has an 'invisible' aspect which is the foundation for its 'future' aspect. It is 'by faith' that the readers look to Jesus whose ministry ensures their present access to God 'in fulness of faith'. Integral to his understanding of <i>sin</i> and to his presentation of the <i>sacrifice</i> of Christ is the
great high priest examination relation christ faithful think author tradition interpretation testimony influence study suggest finish work_christ past guarantee certain salvation faithful future relation present term follow heaven however allow emphasis complete aspect christ work future element believer salvation connect occasional nature letter_write tempt abandon christian commitment fact work_christ complete yet continue salvation faithful present yet future analysis major_theme indicate relation christ believer future indirect rather present direct rest people_god present_future faith invisible aspect foundation future aspect faith reader look jesus whose ministry ensure present access god faith integral sin presentation sacrifice christ