ABSTRACT the Characterization of Jesus in the Book of Hebrews Brian
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ABSTRACT The Characterization of Jesus in the Book of Hebrews Brian Christopher Small, Ph.D. Mentor: Mikeal C. Parsons, Ph.D. This dissertation accomplishes three things. First, it identifies the literary and rhetorical devices that the author of Hebrews uses to construct his characterization of Jesus. Second, it reconstructs the portrait that emerges from the author’s characterization of Jesus. Third, it indicates how the author’s characterization of Jesus is important for his overall argument. This dissertation lays the methodological groundwork through an examination of characterization in both modern literary and ancient rhetorical theory and practice. The analysis reveals that characterization in ancient rhetoric demonstrates many affinities with modern literary theory and practice. The author of Hebrews employs a variety of techniques to construct his characterization of Jesus. First, the author uses encomiastic topics, which are categories by which the attributes of persons were conceived in the ancient world. Second, the author utilizes a variety of devices such as amplification, synkrisis, vivid description, attributed speech, and literary tropes to develop his portrait of Jesus. Finally, the author appeals to divine testimony to give authoritative support to his portrayal of Jesus’ character. The author depicts Jesus as a person of exemplary character who exhibits the highest of human virtues but also divine attributes as well. These traits reveal both Jesus’ greatness and moral excellence. The author’s characterization of Jesus is significant for his overall argument. First, Jesus’ character produces many benefits for his followers. Believers in some sense share in the same status and privileges that Jesus possesses. Jesus’ exemplary character also produces many soteriological benefits for his followers. Second, his character entails certain obligations from his followers. Jesus’ exemplary character is a model of imitation for his followers. The author frequently urges his audience to exemplify virtues that are also characteristic of Jesus. Jesus’ character also serves as a warning for his followers to avoid disobedience and unbelief. Finally, Jesus’ character serves as encouragement for his followers to persevere and mature in their faith, and to approach God boldly in worship. The Characterization of Jesus in the Book of Hebrews by Brian Christopher Small, B.A., M.Div., M.A., Th.M. A Dissertation Approved by the Department of Religion ___________________________________ William H. Bellinger, Jr., Ph.D., Chairperson Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Baylor University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Approved by the Dissertation Committee ___________________________________ Mikeal C. Parsons, Ph.D., Chairperson ___________________________________ Lidija Novakovic, Ph.D. ___________________________________ Jeffrey S. Hamilton, Ph.D. Accepted by the Graduate School May 2012 ___________________________________ J. Larry Lyon, Ph.D., Dean Page bearing signatures is kept on file in the Graduate School. Copyright © 2012 by Brian Christopher Small All rights reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ix Acknowledgments x Chapter One: Introduction 1 Methodological Approaches to the Study of the Christology of Hebrews 2 Rhetorical Approaches to the Study of Hebrews 19 Narrative Approaches to the Study of Hebrews 29 Overview of This Study 33 The Circumstances Surrounding the Composition of Hebrews 36 Chapter Two: Characterization in Literary Theory 41 Characterization in Modern Literary Theory 43 Definition of Character 43 Kinds of Characters 66 Techniques of Characterization 74 Identification/Point of View/Narrator 101 Characterization in Ancient Literary Theory and Practice 106 The Practice of Characterization in Ancient Literature 106 Ancient Conceptions of Personality 114 Characterization in Ancient Literary Theory 127 Chapter Three: Characterization in Ancient Rhetorical Theory 133 Types of Rhetoric 133 The Rhetorical Genre of Hebrews 134 Techniques of Rhetorical Characterization 140 The Introduction of a Speech 140 Encomiastic Topics 143 Amplification and Minimization 175 Synkrisis 178 Common-places 181 Vivid Description 182 Chreia 185 Attributed or Invented Speech 186 Literary Tropes 193 Testimony 197 Synthesis and Application 200 v Chapter Four: The Characterization of Jesus in Hebrews 214 Names 214 Nature 217 Divine 217 Human 232 Origin/Race/Birth 234 Nurture/Training/Education 235 Fortune 236 Titles/Offices 237 Lord 237 Son 238 Firstborn 240 Heir 242 High Priest 243 “King” 249 VArchgo,j 252 Perfecter 254 Apostle 254 Forerunner 257 Guarantee 258 Mediator 259 Minister 260 Shepherd 261 Speech/Utterances 262 Actions/Events 272 He Created the World 276 He Sustains/Bears All Things 279 He Entered into the World 280 He Was Made Lower than the Angels 281 He Was Made Like Human Beings/Partook of Flesh and Blood 282 He Was the Agent of God’s Revelation/Shared the Message of Salvation 284 He Proclaimed God’s Name/Sang Hymns to God 288 He Trusted in/Obeyed God 288 He Experienced Temptation 289 He Cried out to God 290 He Suffered 296 He Learned Obedience 296 He Was Made Perfect 297 He Offered/Sacrificed Himself 299 He Experienced Death 302 He Saved/Redeemed Humanity 305 He Bore and Removed Sins 307 He Cleansed Sins and Consciences 308 He Atoned for Sins 309 vi He Destroyed the Power of the Devil 310 He Freed Humanity from the Fear of Death 311 He Takes Hold of Humanity 312 He Leads Humanity to Glory 314 He Inaugurates a New and Living Way 315 He Perfects and Sanctifies 316 He Was Raised from the Dead 318 He Entered the Heavenly Realm/Appeared before God 318 He Is Crowned as King/Is Seated at the Right Hand of God 325 He Is Anointed 326 He Is Made Heir of All Things 329 He Is Worshiped by the Angels 330 He Is Victorious over His Enemies/Subdues All Things 331 He Was Appointed as High Priest 332 He Helps/Sympathizes with/Intercedes for Humanity 333 He Will Come Again 334 Death 337 Character Traits 338 Chapter Five: The Role and Significance of the Characterization of Jesus in the Argument of Hebrews 343 The Role of the Characterization of Jesus in Hebrews 343 1:1–4 345 1:5–14 353 2:1–4 359 2:5–18 361 3:1–6 371 3:7–4:13 374 4:14–5:10 378 5:11–6:20 384 7:1–28 390 8:1–10:18 395 10:19–39 400 11:1–40 404 12:1–29 407 13:1–25 411 The Significance of the Characterization of Jesus 413 Benefits 413 Status and privileges 413 Soteriological benefits 417 Obligations 418 Model of imitation 418 Warning 420 Encouragement 422 vii Chapter Six: Conclusion 424 Summation of This Study 424 Avenues for Future Research 431 Bibliography 433 viii LIST OF TABLES Table 1: The Structure of Hebrews Based on Scriptural Passages 24 ix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS “No man is an island.” This sentiment, penned by John Donne nearly four hundred years ago, could certainly be applied to the writing of a dissertation. While I have spent many long and lonely hours poring over texts or sitting before a computer screen composing my dissertation, I could not have completed this project without the assistance and encouragement of others. First and foremost, I am indebted to my mentor Dr. Mikeal Parsons, in whose class on “Characterization in Ancient Rhetoric and Contemporary Literary Criticism” the topic for this dissertation was first conceived. I am thankful for his guidance for improving the dissertation. Naturally, any shortcomings in the work are fully my own responsibility. I am also grateful to Dr. Lidija Novakovic, and Dr. Jeffrey Hamilton of the Baylor History Department, for serving on my dissertation committee, and to Dr. Bruce Longenecker and Dr. William Bellinger for serving on my oral defense committee. I also want to express my appreciation to Dr. Charles Talbert, who originally was slated to serve on my dissertation committee but unfortunately was unable to continue in that capacity. I have learned much from them, and from other professors and fellow graduate students of the Baylor Religion Department. I also want to express my appreciation to Eric Mason, who accepted my article, “The Use of Rhetorical Topoi in the Characterization of Jesus in the Book of Hebrews,” for publication in the Perspectives in Religious Studies journal. That article represents my initial foray into the study of the characterization of Jesus in Hebrews. This dissertation is a considerable expansion of that article. I want to thank Dr. Parsons for giving me permission to incorporate the substance of that article into my dissertation. x The completion of my doctoral degree signals the culmination of a long academic journey which began at Asbury College (now University) and continued at Asbury Theological Seminary, The University of Kentucky, and Princeton Theological Seminary. I am indebted to my professors—too numerous to name here—for teaching me about the biblical texts, ancient languages, and the Greco-Roman world, and for preparing me for my doctoral work at Baylor University. My life’s journey has included the privilege of serving several churches in Kentucky and Eastern Pennsylvania. I appreciate my former parishioners, as well as my friends at First United Methodist Church in Waco, Texas, where I found a church home; they have given me encouragement and now celebrate with me in my accomplishment. Finally, I want to express my greatest appreciation to my family: to my biggest fan, my mother Susan, who has lovingly supported me during my years in graduate school, and to my Aunt Sally and Uncle Kurt, who have helped me tremendously, and to my grandmother Laura, who did not live to see this day but who would have been immensely proud of my achievement. I could not have completed this monumental task without their encouragement and support. xi CHAPTER ONE Introduction The writing commonly known as the “Epistle to the Hebrews” is every bit as mysterious as the Melchizedek figure it describes as “without father, without mother, without genealogy” (7:3).1 Indeed, the circumstances surrounding its composition (i.e., authorship, recipients, date, occasion etc.) remain completely shrouded in obscurity.