In my last post, i explored the reasons why hebrews in the new testament might have been written by a woman, as outlined by ruth hoppin, in her book priscillas letter. The common scholarly opinion is that the author certainly wasnt paul. However, since the third century this has been questioned, and the consensus among. While it is by no means universal indeed many suggestions have been made, and at least in my estimation not even the most persuasive case, some have suggested female authorship for this epistle what factors, other than simple desire on the part of some that there is a female author in. What kinds of things can we learn about the author of hebrews from the contents of his letter. Traditionally, paul the apostle was thought to be the author. A companion video to lesson 1 of the same series that asks the following questions. Her interests include travel, studying french, and playing the recorder. If priscilla was a candidate for being the author of hebrews, wouldnt that make aquila just as likely a candidate. The most extensive defense of this view i believe is ruth hoppins book which i think has been revised since i looked at it. Church tradition teaches that paul wrote the book of hebrews, and until the 1800s, that issue was closed. If this is the case, she would be the only female author to contribute to scripture. A while back ago, i wrote an article about my top three questions i have when i get to heaven.
He writes, in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control 2. Lord jesus christ, by which the world has been crucified to she was a. If you think paul wrote hebrews, youre in good company see, e. I really do believe priscilla is the author of this book. The authorship of the epistle to the hebrews is an open question. The most reasonable explanation, recognized early in church history, is paul wrote hebrews. I hear the consensus opinion is that paul did, but i am wondering what others might say, or theorize. Archaeological and literary evidence archaeological research suggests that someone named priscilla held a position of tremendous honor in the early church. February 3, 2015 women of the bible robin for a number of years ive been aware of the hypothesis that a woman wrote one of the books in the new testament, namely the epistle to the hebrews. The book of acts provides us with several names that fit this profile. All i suggested was that from what few tidbits of evidence we can sweep together, her authorship should, among unbiased thinkers, give her at least as much credibility as some other. The argument for priscilla s authorship of hebrews has been around for over 110 years. Eusebius does not list epistle to the hebrews among the antilegomena or disputed books though he included the unrelated gospel of the hebrews.
From the first records of the christian church, its origins. The author of hebrews was probably among pauls more intimate coworkers, some of whom he introduced in romans 16. While it is by no means universal indeed many suggestions have been made, and at least in my estimation not even the most persuasive case, some have suggested female authorship for this epistle. The name of the author of the epistle to the hebrews was lost early in its story. Priscilla, wife of aquila, possibly a native of rome. The best answer to this question is we do not know who wrote the book of hebrews. However, doubt on pauline authorship in the roman church is reported by eusebius. The book of hebrews is thought of as more elaborate and refined than all of the books in the new testament. The different ways of writing is to focus attention to a different people. Third, some scholars, like mimi haddad at cbe international, have suggested that priscilla wrote the book of hebrews. The author of hebrews was probably among paul s more intimate coworkers, some of whom he introduced in romans 16. Apparently, but i could be wrong, there is no historical source definitively saying who wrote the bible book of hebrews. Shes an intriguing figure since her name often appears first when she is mentioned along with her husband, aquila. I finally succumbed and purchased her book, priscillas letter.
How did the audience of hebrews respond to the persecutions affecting their community. Also, if priscilla had written the book, one would expect the theology of hebrews to approximate the theology taught by paul, which is certainly. Moreover, priscilla is called fellow worker or synergos. Those that disagree with the priscilla authorship of hebrews use a couple of arguments. The epistle to the hebrews is a battleground of discordant opinion and conjecture. The term kreitton literally, more excellent or better permeates the book. This book has the most information on the possibility that priscilla was the author of hebrews, so this book is essential if one is investigating this area. Finding the author of the epistle to the hebrews was originally. And outside of that one point, i cant find other logical arguments against her authorship of hebrews. Implications of the theology of hebrews for gender equality appeared in priscilla papers, the journal of christians for biblical equality in the winter 2003 edition. When you consider the wide agreement among biblical scholars about who wrote every other book of the new testament, its a little mysterious that we dont know who wrote hebrews. Priscilla and aquila are described in the new testament as providing a presence that strengthened the early christian churches. The word conjecture ought to have signaled that im not necessarily convinced priscilla wrote the book. She supports her thesis with literary criticism, circumstantial evidence, and archeological finds.
He proposes that priscilla is the author of hebrews for a number of reasons. It is possible luke worked with paul and penned it but that is the only thing in doubt. She was the teacher of apollos and was married to aquila and traditionally listed among the seventy disciples see luke 10. The epistle to the hebrews, or letter to the hebrews, or in the greek manuscripts, simply to the hebrews. The first being that the author is the reference to timothy in hebrews. What are your personal thoughts on the authorship of hebrews. It is an anonymous book and the earliest suggested author paul is rarely defended today. It is therefore wise for us to leave the book anonymous as well. A survey of priscillas ministry in rome, corinth, and ephesus reveals a woman whose abilities and lifes circumstances beg the question. Perhaps the best answer of all time was given by origen 185254 a. The book of hebrews was at one stage attributed to paul, but it is so clearly not an epistle, and the style and theology are so clearly not pauline, that scholars no. The author of the book of hebrews refers to themselves only seven times in the entire book. The writer points to christ as the sustainer of all things, even the letter that he has penned.
Is there a case to be made that luke wrote the book of hebrews. I can definitely recommend this way of experiencing the bible. Ten of the twentynine names mentioned are women, and priscilla is the only one mentioned elsewhere in the new testament. The intriguing theory presented in more modern times by the german biblical scholar adolf harnack argued that hebrews was written by priscilla. The book of hebrews ties together the old and new testaments better than any other in the new testament.
The writer of hebrews teaches us that jesus christ is supreme over all things. And although the genres are different, luke seems to have a sermon peppered through his narrative. Circumstances suggest deliberate suppression, due to the influence of religious extremists who regard the concept of female authorship of the epistle intolerable. One example would be why did priscilla keep her name anonymous if she writes in hebrews that the people knew who she was. This also means we know very little about when the book was written, the original audience, or. Both luke and the writer of hebrews reveal a masterful use of the septuagint. My opinion is that the author of the epistle to the hebrews was paul. The priscilla of hoppins title is mentioned six times in the new. After all, the hall of faith featured in hebrews 11 features three women, something a male writer may overlook. It will probably surprise some of you to learn that many bible scholars believe that a new testament woman named priscilla wrote the book of hebrews. Many early church leaders believed paul to have been the author. This was taken as evidence that paul had written it.
This indicates a highly educated jew who was also a roman citizen. A friend and i recently read out loud through the book of hebrews using the books of the bible. Finding the author of the epistle to the hebrews at. Until about 200 years ago it was widely believed that paul wrote hebrews. In acts 18 priscilla along with aquila were able to instruct apollos who was himself an eloquent and learned man acts 18. Setting aside for a moment the feminine characteristics of the epistle, lets explore the variety of possible authors that have been proposed over the centuries.
As a result, although a few people today believe paul wrote hebrews, such as. Priscilla wrote letter to hebrews archives the outlaw. However, though a vast majority of christiansboth and scholars and the laitystill believe paul wrote the book, there are some tempting reasons to think otherwise. The crucifixion was, could priscilla have written hebrews. Watch our overview video on the book of hebrews, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Was priscilla one of the most successful teachers, evangelists, and writers in the early church. God supernaturally wrote the book of hebrews through whatever author actually did the writing and his inerrant inspiration told the author to leave the book anonymous. Your introduction says that the recipients of this letter seem to have lived in italy. Epistle to the hebrews it will probably surprise some of you to learn that many bible scholars believe that a new testament woman named priscilla wrote the book of hebrews. By whom, and for what reasons, ive not yet ascertained. He does record, however, that some have rejected the epistle to the hebrews, saying that it is disputed by the church of rome, on the ground that it was not written by paul. The book presents christ as the final high priest and eloquently explains the old testament sacrificial system in light of the atonement of christ. One problem with this conclusion, however, is that what paul says in galatians 1.
Mark kubo, petersburg, alaska a welcome challenge to accepted thought regarding the author of the epistle to the hebrews. The priscilla of hoppins title is mentioned six times in the new testament. Ruth hoppins book that contends that priscilla could be the author of romans. Since hebrews was written sometime between 65 85 c. In conclusion, there are many views currently in circulation about who wrote the book of hebrews. Finding the author of the epistle to the hebrews was secretly taken out of print after only a few months of availability. One of the theories about the authorship of hebrews is that priscilla the wife of aquilla wrote hebrews. However, there are several rebuttals you could make against priscilla writing hebrews though. Who the author wrote the epistle to the hebrews to answers. Although it is interesting to speculate, the reality is that this epistle is anonymous.
When the internal evidence is examined, it overcomes easily issues of style. Origen, clement, pantaenus, ambrose, rufinus and eusebius all ascribe the epistle to paul. This section of the bible has been titled as a masterpiece and immensely complex. Authorship of the epistle to the hebrews wikipedia.
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