A Different Priest: The Epistle to the Hebrews

by Albert Vanhoye

Publishers:

Convivium Press; Gregorian & Biblical Press

, 2011

Overview

Albert Vanhoye, who has worked for many years studying the Epistle to the Hebrews, now brings one of the most authoritative contemporary commentaries to a wider audience, articulating the unique priesthood of Jesus Christ for the first Christian communities.

In A Different Priest, a detailed analysis of the text of Hebrews enables us to conclude that this is the full text of a splendid Christian preaching text. The first part of this work, which examines the name of Christ, offers a general and contemporary Christology. The next two parts offer a priestly Christology, first more general and then more specific. Finally, the last two parts show the result of this for the Christian life.

In the Logos edition of A Different Priest, you get easy access to Scripture texts and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Hovering over Scripture references links you instantly to the verse you’re looking for, and with Logos’ advanced features, you can delve into your study of Hebrews like never before.

Key Features

• Analyzes the text of Hebrews
• Examines the structure of the homily
• Discusses the composition and biblical context

Contents

• General Outlines of the Composition
• Exordium
• The Name of Christ: General Christology
• The Divine Name of Christ
• First Exhortation
• The Human Name of Christ
• Christ is a Trustworthy and Merciful High Priest: Priestly Christology, General Characteristics
• Trustworthy High Priest
• Warning Against Lack of Faith
• Merciful High Priest
• Christ is the Perfect High Priest: Priestly Christology, Specific Characteristics
• Exhortative Introduction
• A Different Kind of Priesthood
• Critique of the Former Cult and of the First Covenant
• A New Kind of Sacrifice and a First Covenant
• The Only Efficacious Sacrifice
• Exhortative Conclusion
• Union with Christ the High Priest through Faith and Endurance
• The Faith of the Elders
• The Necessary Endurance
• Call for the Right Conduct in the Search for Holiness and Peace
• Seeking Sanctification
• Peace with All
• What it Takes to Be a Christian
• Concluding Good Wish
• Dispatch Note

Top Highlights

“Christians are called upon to grasp that sword to use it in their spiritual struggle” (Page 145)

“main theme is the «name» of Christ (that is to say, we repeat, his personal position and his relational capacities” (Page 26)

“personal position of Christ and his relational capacities” (Page 26)

Praise for the Print Edition

. . . This is a rich study that reflects a lifetime of careful scholarship and profound reflection on its subject.

—Donald Senior, president, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago

Vanhoye’s main concern is to examine how the distinctive rhetorical and oratorical elements of Semitic rhetoric shaped the profound theology of Christian faith and how it was proclaimed through the distinctive literary genre of the sermon. His book is a unique contribution to biblical rhetoric and Christian theology, and it will be a fascinating resource—rare and invaluable—for preachers and scholars of preaching.

—Rev. Eunjoo M. Kim, director, Doctor of Ministry Program, The Iliff School of Theology

This book will serve Christian preachers well as they seek to unpack the meaning of Hebrews in sermons and in classes about the New Testament. Hebrews offers its readers a high Christology and some memorable passages, and this book looks at all of that in great detail.

—Bill Tammeus, columnist, The Presbyterian Outlook and National Catholic Reporter

Product Details

• Title: A Different Priest: The Epistle to the Hebrews
• Author: Albert Vanhoye
• Translator: Leo Arnold
• Publisher: Convivium Press
• Publication Date: 2011
• Pages: 456

About Albert Vanhoye

Albert Vanhoye entered the Society of Jesus in 1941. He obtained his Licence en Lettres from the Sorbonne and his doctorate in biblical studies from the Biblical Institute in Rome. One of the most recognized scholars on the Epistle to the Hebrews, he taught exegesis at Chantilly before being appointed as a professor at the Biblical Institute, where he taught exegesis and New Testament biblical theology from 1963 until 1988 and served as the rector. Vanhoye was a member of the Biblical Commission from 1984 until 2001, and its secretary from 1990 until 2001. He has published many works on exegesis, biblical theology, and spirituality. He is the honorary president of the International Society for the Study of Biblical and Semitic Rhetoric. He was appointed cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.