Theology of the Letter to Hebrews

New Testament Theology

by Lindars

The Letter to the Hebrews is of particular significance for the most important explanation of the sacrificial death of Christ contained in the New Testament. In this book, Barnabas Lindars explains the circumstances in which Hebrews was written, and expounds the writer's argument at length. At each stage of the survey, the writer's ideas are related to the main topics of New Testament theology. Special attention is paid to the rhetorical style of Hebrews, which marks it out as having been written in response to an urgent practical situation. The concluding chapters show the place of Hebrews in the context of the development of early Christianity, and indicate the lasting value of Hebrews for theology today.

Genres: Theology, Biblical Studies, Christian

172 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 1991

Reviews

[Caleb Rolling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lindars provides a good survey of the theology of Hebrews, though the short length of the books really limits his ability to conduct a thorough analysis. The last chapter of the book, which is entitled “The Significance of Hebrews for Today,” seems to be mislabeled, because I had a difficult time discerning how he demonstrates the applicability of Hebrews to the contemporary context.

His reconstruction of the background of the letter is unique and interesting, but he fails to provide much evidence to support these claims.

The lack of space devoted to christology is problematic, in my opinion—especially considering Hebrews’ critical contribution to the early church’s orthodox christological formulations. Additionally, Lindars seems to merely assume an adoptionist christology in Hebrews. It would be my preference to see Lindars demonstrate that adoptionist christology is found is Hebrews rather than assume it of the text (though I don’t ascribe to adoptionist christology myself).

In short, The Theology of the Letter to the Hebrews is helpful in some areas, but less helpful in the areas one might want it to be most helpful.

[Scott Bielinski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though this book is not without its merits, a tragic under-reading of Hebrews' Christology hamstrings most of Lindars' exegetical conclusions.

[Brian Pate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without doubt, the book of Hebrews “tends to be neglected by those who read the New Testament for spiritual profit” (128).

This contribution to the New Testament Theology series (edited by J. D. G. Dunn and published by Cambridge University Press) leaps forward toward a thorough understanding of the theological message of Hebrews. As such, it is an invaluable resource to the pastor and student alike.

Its helpfulness in grasping the big picture of the book outweighs the brief criticisms one will have along the way.

You can read the rest of this review at my blog: http://patebrian.wordpress.com/2014/1...

[Gwilym Davies · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are good things about this book: it is well-written, it's sensitive to the rhetorical force of Hebrews, and it makes some really excellent observations on Hebrews' use of the Old Testament. He might be right to emphasize the significance of a tender conscience in the temptation to apostasy amongst the readers. But overall, it's much too bought in to historical-critical presuppositions to be really useful. Linda's adopts a polyvalent understanding of the New Testament's witness to Christ, he's disconcertingly willing to bow to 'modern' sensibilities on sovereignty, sacrifice, and the warning passages, he adopts an evolutionary approach to New Testament Christology that looks decidedly unconvincing from where I'm standing, and he ends up being really quite speculative in his mirror reading. For the most part, the book was just a bit underwhelming: the reluctance to make Hebrews normative for our faith and practice and the failure to believe that Hebrews might align with the rest of the NT doesn't serve Lindars well. It allows him to be both exegetically and theologically a bit lazy. Sorely tempted to give him one star, except that there were one or two bits that I thought were helpful.

[Dominic Muresan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must-read when it comes to short books dealing with one of the hardest books in the NT. Lindars' view on the purpose of the book is quite interesting and it closely determines his exegesis. The point being that the Hebrews community is tempted to return to the synagogue because of the need to do something practical to have their sins forgiven, as opposed to the church where, after their baptism and initiation, the possibilities of that might have seemed non-existent.

No other commentary that I've read would go that far as to read so much into the situation at hand, but it still fits quite well with the text and its conclusions (though sometimes I couldn't help, but feel that the argument was being stretched).

[Rob O'Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introduction to the theology and textual content of Hebrews. I disagree with his insistence that Hebrews is an epistle and not a homily (it clearly is the later). However he argues his case well, and perhaps convincingly to one not versed in rhetorical criticism.

[Rhiannon Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful introduction with a wider ranging discussion than a typical commentary and a clear argument for his theological interruption of the text.

[Conner Cecil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to the theology of Hebrews

[Mitch Mallary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some sections were certainly 5-star, but on the whole Lindars left the reader wanting more.