Description: Scholarly study of and about the book of Hebrews.

Goals: The instructor’s goal is for the students to acquire:

† study skills used in scholarly Bible study–vocabulary, concepts, materials.

† an in-depth, scholarly knowledge of the content of Hebrews.

† to know enough about the theological issues Hebrews raises to read further and participate intelligently in discussions with other educated readers.

† to know enough about the text of Hebrews, its treatment in history, and the various theories about authorship, provenance, and intended readers to read further and participate in discussion with other educated readers.

† to be of service to the church by equipping students to contribute information and perspective on Hebrews that goes beyond the average devotional perspective.

† Roughly 23 class days which will include lecture, guided discussion and in class exercises.

† Regular reading of Hebrews There are roughly 12 weeks of class, students will document reading the book 6 times in 6 different translations.

† Read the class text: Hebrews by Donald Guthrie in the Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.

† Students will keep a research journal to be handed in at the end of the semester (see below).

† Regular class participation is required. The 10% participation grade must be earned.

A midterm examination 30%

A final examination 30%

Journal assignment 30%

Participation 10%

5% deductions for any unexcused absence.

All grading:

A 90-100

B 80-89

C 70-79

D 60-69

The examinations will be based on the commentary and class presentations.

Journal Assignment:

The journal will be handed in at the end of the semester:

· It will document six readings of the book of Hebrews–start and finish dates. The reading must be done through the entire semester. During the student’s first reading of Hebrews, he or she will take note of 5 mysterious verses. By mysterious, the instructor means verses the student doesn’t understand, or whose meaning is not clear due to difficult wording, or which raise questions with other beliefs and are hard to reconcile with other scriptures. The student will submit the list of verses to the instructor for approval after the first reading.The student will continue to work with these five verses throughout the term by reading, meditating, discussing them, and documenting a growing sense of appreciation.

· Documenting the mystery verses will require about 2 pages of writing for each verse (10 pages total). Page 1 should be an elaboration of the questions that the verse raises. Page 2 should be an elaboration of insights gained through study, and an effort to state the meaning of the verses clearly as the student understands them at the end of the semester. The journal is not a formal research paper, but the student will need to document the research sources that have been used.

Rosedale Bible College is an evangelical junior Bible college in the Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition that equips students to grow spiritually and academically and to serve effectively in the church and society.

evangelical junior Bible college: you will be studying a Bible book (Hebrews) at the freshman/sophmore level from an evangelical perspective, meaning with a high regard for the inspiration, authority and trustworthiness of the Bible, and with a keen awareness that it presents the message of salvation to the human race

in the Anabaptist/Mennonite tradition: Hebrews is of special interest to Anabaptists because it is foundational in our understanding of the doctrine of New Testament finality.

equips students to grow spiritually and academically: Although our approach is academic, the instructor anticipates that the study will lead to spiritual growth by sharpening our view of Jesus Christ as the mediator of the new covenant.

to serve effectively in the church and society: The instructor hopes this study eventually will produce strong Sunday School teachers, preachers, and more effective and literate laypeople in the church.