Cosmology and Eschatology in Hebrews
The Settings of the Sacrifice

The underlying rhetorical dualism of Hebrews can help identify its philosophical and literary origins.

Kenneth L. Schenck (Author)

9780521130479, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 11 February 2010

236 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.4 cm, 0.3 kg

Review of the hardback: 'Schenck does for Hebrews what Richard Hays did for Galatians in his Faith of Jesus Christ, namely, construct the symbolic story that informs the discourse and framed its central issues. … Schenck's treatment of Hebrews is lucid and well worth reading and should be an enduring contribution to studies on Hebrews.' Jason A. Whitlark, Review of Biblical Literature

Scholars argue over where Hebrews fit in the first century world. Kenneth L. Schenck works towards resolving this question by approaching Hebrews' cosmology and eschatology from a text-orientated perspective. After observing that the key passages in the background debate mostly relate to the 'settings' of the story of salvation history evoked by Hebrews, Schenck attempts to delineate those settings by asking how the 'rhetorical world' of Hebrews engages that underlying narrative. Hebrews largely argue from an eschatology of two ages, which correspond to two covenants. The fresh age has come despite the continuance of some old age elements. The most characteristic elements of Hebrews' settings, however, are its spatial settings, where we find an underlying metaphysical dualism between the highest heaven, which is the domain of spirit, and the created realm, including the created heavens. This creation will be removed at the eschaton, leaving only the unshakeable heaven.

1. The quest for the historical Hebrews
2. The rhetorical strategy of Hebrews
Part I. The Settings in Time: 3. The destiny of humanity
4. The two ages
Part II. The Settings in Space: 5. The spatial dualism of Hebrews
6. The heavenly tabernacle in Hebrews
7. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Religion: general [HRA]