Who Wrote Hebrews?

Introduction

Among the books that comprise the New Testament, few incite as much controversy about the nature of their authorship as the letter that begins not with a greeting, but with an assertion about how God communicates to his people. Commonly called “Hebrews” because of its extremely Jewish slant in argumentation and assumptions, this book gives an insight into the superiority of Jesus Christ over all previous revelations from God. The question that plagues scholars of the work is simply, “Who wrote it?”

This question has been beaten and battered throughout the centuries and no conclusion has been reached. There are, however, a few leading theories as to its authorship. This paper will strive to present the cases for the most widely suggested authors and the arguments for and against each suggestion, as well as how each suggestion has been accepted throughout history. That stated, the most commonly suggested authors of the book of Hebrews in our day, arranged in order of age of the view, are: (1) Paul, (2) Barnabas, (3) Luke, (4) Apollos, and (5) Priscilla.

Progressive Dispensationalism in Comparison to Normative Dispensationalism

Introduction

When discussing Progressive Dispensationalism (PD) it is important to first establish its origin and a working definition so as to distinguish it from other theological systems. PD began its public life at the annual Evangelical Theological Society meeting in Atlanta Georgia in 1986. It’s main formulators were Darrel L. Bock and Craig A. Blaising, out of Dallas Theological Seminary, and Robert L. Saucy out of Talbot Theological Seminary. [1] These men put forward a critique and adjustment of Normative Dispensationalism (ND) that was different enough to merit defining an entirely new system.

The 7 Dispensations in Normative Dispensationalism

Introduction

Depending on one’s dispensational theology, as few as three dispensations can be argued over in scripture. In the passage that most clearly gives the basis for Dispensationalism, Ephesians 1-3, there are at least three spoken of. However, most dispensationalists will hold to a seven-dispensation view. These are the seven that will be discussed in this paper: Innocence, Conscience, Human Government, Patriarchal Rule, Law, Grace, and Millennium. Each dispensation, or economy of government between God and man, follows loosely the same pattern. A test or requirement is given from God to man, man fails to meet the standard set by God, God issues a judgment on man and ushers in a new dispensation. The main source to be used in this paper is Charles Ryrie’s Dispensationalism: Revised and Expanded, because it is, by far, the seminal work when discussing dispensationalism and provides ample explanation of the normative view on the dispensations, so not much else is needed. Other sources will be used to inform generally, but will not be directly quoted or supply unique ideas to their work that require citation. [1]

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit: A Systematic Analysis

Introduction

The following is an attempt to concisely identify and explain the most prominent characteristics of the Holy Spirit revealed in Scripture in a systematic way. It is a daunting task and so a few shortcuts have been taken that should be clarified up front. The basic structure and attributes of the Holy Spirit that form the outline of this paper have been borrowed from Charles Ryrie’s Basic Theology, a book that does a good job of explaining the bare essentials of theology in plain English for anyone to read. Basic Theology will be the primary source in this paper just behind the scriptures themselves, and other Systematic Theologies will act as support works. One other shortcut taken is that not every scripture about the Holy Spirit will be analyzed. Ideally, every single reference in the Bible to the Holy Spirit would appear in this paper and would be exposited to understand what it tells us about the Holy Spirit’s character, but this is an unrealistic goal for a ten- to twelve-page paper. The point of this paper is to get the basics, not the particulars. That being said, the attributes of the Holy Spirit that will be discussed are: (1) His Personhood, (2) His Deity, (3) His Indwelling Work, (4) His Filling Work, (5) His Baptizing Work, (6) His Sealing Work, and (7) His Gifting Work.

Hide and Seek With a Still Small Voice

He looked up quick and looked back down hoping he would not be found. Hide-and-Seek’s a dangerous game, and he had gambled with his hiding spot. He soon forgot the thought though slowly praying he would not get caught between the front room posies. Lace and flowers round him, cozy, peaceful here in safety doze he.

In and out of consciousness he faded back and forth. He whispered soft a tiny cough, like speaking to the boogey-man, “Just keep me hidden while you can.” A still small voice said, “It’s a plan.”

Someone big had quickly raced right by his quite quaint hiding place, and though he saw their shining face he knew they had not yet retraced, the lace, cased, space in which he hid. And so he did.

They called his name. They couldn’t find him.

That was his aim. The plants confined him.

But still the searcher called out loud, and vowed if he were so endowed he’d find the boy within the shroud and he’d be proud. And so the searcher started tapping on the walls his knuckles rapping, searching for a clue abiding, to tell where the boy was hiding.

Just as his search was on full throttle, he dropped the bottle.

The pieces shattered.

Whiskey splattered.

The boy was spattered.

Nothing mattered, cause that’s when his father found him. Last time he had nearly drowned him. His mother interfered before, but now she lay still on the floor. His father staggered and took a swing, his ring would sting, and then he’d wring the boy and fling him to the floor while shouting, “I’m the king in this house, got it!” 

This isn’t how life should be, ought it? 

Then with a roar, his father swore, the boy was sure the voice from before would have a cure, so he implored it with a shout, “Just get me out!”

The voice replied, “The help’s inside.”

The tear gas hit his eyes and then, he heard the sergeant cry out, “When the mother’s in the ambulance we need assistance with the boy.”

He barely could contain his joy.

A better life for his mother and him. He closed his eyes to count to ten. He’d never play Hide-and-Seek again. He had been saved. The way was paved. They’ve braved the brand-new life supplied and each and every day’s a stride, but always they will still rejoice at the wonderful gift from the still small voice.