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'Let us Hold Fast to our Confession’: The Role of the Theme of Faithfulness in the Rhetorical Strategy Employed by the Author of the Epistle to the Hebrews to Address the Pastoral Problems of the First Hearers
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TextPublication details: Johannesburg, South Africa South African Theological Seminary 2014Description: 170p PDF A4 Abstract. Table of contents. Works citedSubject(s): Dissertation note: Master of Theology (Mth) South African Theological Seminary 2014 Dr Annang Asumang Summary: The epistle to the Hebrews is a paranaetic homily written with the specific purpose of addressing the socio-historical situation of the first hearers. These first hearers started their Christian faith with zeal, determination and a strong commitment to the new-found faith. However, this resulted in their persecution by an unbelieving society to the extent that they even lost their property. Consequently,after an extended period of hardships and sufferings, some succumbed to the social pressures. Hence,they were demoralised, lacked zeal and suffered spiritual malaise. Therefore, the author of Hebrews’goal was to counteract this situation by refocusing the believers’ attention to their eternal destiny and the associated rewards. He exhorted them to renewed commitment to the faith with a hope of better future.They had to endure sufferings and focus on what the eternal future held for them.The objective of this study is,therefore,to establish the role of the theme of faith in the author’s rhetorical strategy to address the believers’ socio-historical situation. To achieve this objective,insights from classical rhetoric combined with traditional historical-grammatical are adopted as method to investigate relevant passages. The first task is to establish the theology of faith in Hebrews. This is achieved in two steps. The first step is a grammatical and linguistic analysis of the faith-related words throughout Hebrews. The second step is the detailed exegesis of Hebrews 2:1-4, with specific focus on the theology of faith. The overall impression is that the believers’were called to faith and endurance even in the midst of sufferings. They were given two choices coupled with consequences. Either they hold fast to the confession of faith or neglect and/or reject the faith. The first choice would guarantee the m inheritance of salvation. The second would result in eternal judgement and possible eschatological death. Through the interplay of the categories of classical rhetorical handbooks, the author of Hebrews effectively and persuasively argued that it was better for these listeners to recommit to their faith. The author’s specific focus on the eternal destiny had rhetorical force to convince the listeners to remain faithful and obedient till the end. Faith and endurance was only their hope for a better eternal future, in the city of God.
| Item type | Current library | Collection | Call number | URL | Status | Date due | Barcode | |
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Thesis
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South African Theological Seminary Online Resource | Electronic Holdings | Link to Resource | Available | 0000000000468 |
Master of Theology (Mth) South African Theological Seminary 2014 Dr Annang Asumang
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