The Paradox of Sonship: Christology in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Studies in Christian Doctrine and Scripture | SCDS)
Overview
What does the epistle to the Hebrews mean when it calls Jesus “Son”? Is “Son” a title that denotes his eternal existence as one person of the Trinity? Or is it a title Jesus receives upon his installation on heaven’s throne after his resurrection and ascension?
In this Studies in Christian Doctrine and Scripture (SCDS) volume, which promotes fresh understandings of Christian belief through creative, faithful readings of the canonical text, pastor and New Testament scholar R. B. Jamieson probes the complexity of the Christology presented in the epistle to the Hebrews.
Exploring the paradox of this key term, Jamieson argues that, according to Hebrews, “Son” names both who Jesus is eternally and what he becomes at the climax of his incarnate, saving mission. Jesus is, in short, the eternal Son who became the messianic Son for us and for our salvation. This volume thereby offers a case study showing how the church’s core convictions about Christ lead us not away from the text, but deeper into it.
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- Explores the complexity of the Christology presented in the epistle to the Hebrews
- Promotes fresh understandings of Christian belief through creative, faithful readings of the canonical text
- Offers a case study showing how the church’s core convictions about Christ lead us not away from the text, but deeper into it
- Foreword by Simon J. Gathercole
- Series Introduction: Studies in Christian Doctrine and Scripture
- Introduction: The Son Who Became Son
- A Classical Christological Toolkit
- “Son” as Divine Designation
- The Son’s Incarnate Mission
- “Son” as Office Christ Enters at his Enthronement
- Hebrews’ Theandric Messiah
- Conclusion: The One Word Needed
Top Highlights
“The fundamental question this book asks is, What does the author of Hebrews mean by calling Jesus the ‘Son’? Is ‘Son’ a title given Jesus at his enthronement as Messiah, his session at God’s right hand? Or does ‘Son’ denote his eternal inclusion in the identity of the one true God?” (Page 1)
“We can say coherently that the Son became Son only by saying that God became a man.63” (Page 19)
“The heartbeat of Hebrews’ pastoral program is present possession of Christ. What makes being a Christian worth it is who Christ is, what Christ alone has done for us, and what Christ alone can give us. Everything Christ gives is founded on and follows from not only what he has done, but who he is. Christ gives what no one else can, and Christ himself is the greatest of his gifts. No one else will do. But if you have Christ, you have all you need.” (Page 169)
“Third, Jesus’ humanity is not simply taken for granted but is something he entered into, something he assumed (2:9, 14–15, 17; 9:26; 10:5). The event of the incarnation, the time when God became a man, is repeatedly reiterated.” (Page 147)
“Jesus does indeed become superior to the angels, but this becoming depends on who and what he already is. The Son takes the divine throne as a man, but he may take it only because it belongs to him by—literally—divine right.” (Page 66)
Many have spoken of the need for and shape of theological exegesis. Rare is the work that actually employs theological wisdom for the sake of better exegetical practice. Now R. B. Jamieson’s The Paradox of Sonship serves as a marvelous example. The work employs early christological concepts to keep alert to the breadth of teaching in Hebrews regarding the sonship of the Messiah. I highly commend it.
—Michael Allen, John Dyer Trimble Professor of Systematic Theology at Reformed Theological Seminary
The Paradox of Sonship illuminates the central christological conundrum of Hebrews by reading the book in dialogue with classical theological categories. Conventional academic practice has long warned against allowing doctrine and exegesis to make such close contact, but here Jamieson demonstrates the sweeping benefits of reuniting them. The drama, the tension, and even the sheer literary suspense of Hebrews come to life in dialogue with Nicene and Chalcedonian categories. I hope to see many more books that follow the path opened up here.
—Fred Sanders, Torrey Honors College, Biola University
R. B. Jamieson has written a readable introduction and elegant explanation of the Christology of Hebrews. Jamieson explains all the things that seem strange to us. Whether it’s the citation of Psalms or mention of a mysterious figure called Melchizedek, he shows what these mean and how they all fit with the author’s purpose: to convince readers that Christ is truly worthy of their worship.
—Michael F. Bird, academic dean and lecturer in theology at Ridley College, Melbourne, Australia
- Title: The Paradox of Sonship: Christology in the Epistle to the Hebrews
- Author: R. B. Jamieson
- Series: Studies in Christian Doctrine and Scripture
- Publisher: IVP Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2021
- Logos Release Date: 2021
- Pages: 195
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
- Subjects: Jesus Christ › Person and offices--Biblical teaching; Bible. N.T. Hebrews › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Son of God › Biblical teaching
- ISBNs: 9780830848874, 9780830848867, 9781789742848, 0830848878, 083084886X, 1789742846
- Resource ID: LLS:PRDXSNSHPPHBRWS
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-12-27T21:41:47Z