The theology of the Mosaic Law in Hebrews 7:1-10:18

Abstract

This dissertation seeks to ask and answer the following question: "What is the theology of the Mosaic Law in Hebrews 7:1-10:18?" It seeks to demonstrate that in Hebrews 7:1-10:18, the author understands the Law in both negative and positive terms. In a negative sense, it is a weak and insufficient means for putting away sin, yet in a positive sense Christ has transformed and fulfilled the Law, and as such it is written on the minds and hearts of the New Covenant people. The thesis argued is that the work of Christ has transformed the Law, and this transformation involves both its internalization and fulfillment in the New Covenant; the Law has forever been affected Christologically.

Chapter 1 introduces this thesis as well as sets forth the scope and methodology. Chapter 2 offers several conclusions concerning the Law in Second Temple Judaism after researching five of the most important and relevant Jewish works of the period: the OT Apocrypha, OT Pseudepigrapha, Josephus, Philo, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Chapter 3 focuses on the specific matter of the literary structure of Hebrews, and concludes that the text-linguistic analysis of George H. Guthrie best accounts for the unique literary traits of this enigmatic "word of exhortation." Chapter 4 argues on the basis of Hebrews 7:1-28 that the writer of Hebrews envisions a change in the Law in the sense of "transformation," with specific attention given to the phrase [nomou metathesis ; Special characters omitted.] in 7:12. Chapter 5 argues on the basis of Hebrews 8:1-13 that the [nomoi ; Special characters omitted.] internalized in the heart is the Law that has been transformed in the New Covenant. Special attention is given to 8:10 (10:16) as well as to the OT context of Jeremiah 31 and its usage in Hebrews 8. Chapter 6 argues on the basis of 9:1-10:18 the matter of Christ's fulfillment of the cultus that foreshadowed the good things that have come in the New Covenant, with special attention given to 10:1. What the writer of Hebrews envisions for the Law in the New Covenant is its transformation in Christ both in its location and content. There are continuous and discontinuous aspects of the Law, which turn on the hinge of Christ. Chapter 7 concludes the study by summarizing its conclusions, offering potential contemporary implications and possibilities for further research, and a personal word from the author.