The Contribution of Hebrews to Early Christian Theology

22 October 2021

The Contribution of Hebrews to Early Christian Theology

This is one of three inspiring courses offered in ETF’s Summer Colloquium, scheduled August 22–27, 2022. This international study week includes lectures, various workshops and times for meeting and reflection.

Registration is open until 1 June 2022.

While relatively neglected for many years, the letter to the Hebrews has attracted considerable scholarly interest recently. The lack of clear data about the letter’s place within early Christianity invites speculation. We cannot know who the author is, and both the destination and nature of the audience are debated. Were the recipients of the letter Jewish Christians feeling a pull back to their Jewish religious views? Or were they perhaps Gentile Christians failing to progress in their faith? Whatever the specific circumstances addressed, the letter stands as perhaps the most rhetorically powerful exhortation to have emerged in the early Christian church.

Lectures will trace the literary development of the letter, putting special emphasis on the author’s innovative re-interpretations of OT texts and concepts and on his extensive use of sacrificial imagery to interpret the work of Jesus. Indeed, the author’s atoning theology has been the focus of intense debate in recent academic study of the letter and will be a particular focus of discussion. Students should emerge from the course with a deeper appreciation of this fascinating NT book and should be able to enrich their own theological views by integrating the distinctive approach of Hebrews into their theology.

Dr. Douglas J. Moo is Kenneth T. Wessner Professor of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College, Illinois (USA).

ETF’s Summer Colloquium in August 2022 features three inspiring courses which intersect theology, church and society. The two other courses are:

This international study week includes lectures, various workshops and times for meeting and reflection. Our Summer Colloquium is compulsory for ETF Open University students open to interested people with academic qualifications and can serve as additional in-service training for pastors, teachers, and other ministry professionals.

Photo: pexels.com, Old Synagoge in Capernaum by Haley Black

Open Days

Open Days

An open day is the moment to taste the atmosphere at the ETF and to get to know more about our educational programs. You are provided with information about...

Read more