Paul Bedard, a journalist with the Washington Examiner, wrote an article about the abysmal scores that American citizens got in a survey based on the multiple-choice test that immigrants take to become U.S. citizens (https://www.afain.net/2018/10/1-in-3-pass-us-citizenship-test-just-19-for-americans-45-and-younger/).
Only one third (36 percent) of them passed the test overall, with just one fifth (19 percent) of Americans under the age of 45 passing (the test requires a score of only 60 percent to pass). The survey was done for the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation and conducted by Lincoln Park Strategies.
- 72 percent couldn’t accurately identify the 13 original states.
- Just 24 percent were able to identify correctly one thing Benjamin Franklin was famous for
- 37 percent said he invented the lightbulb.
- 12 percent incorrectly thought WWII Gen. Dwight Eisenhower led troops in the Civil War.
- And 2 percent believe the Cold War was caused by climate change.
You would think that the people who enjoy the benefits of living in a particular community would know more about its history.
So did the author of the Book of Hebrews.
Scholars are unsure about who wrote it, because unlike Paul’s letters which typically begin with a statement like, “I, Paul, a slave of our Lord Jesus Christ…,” this book carries no author identification.
Some commentators believe that the author was the pastor of a home church with a couple dozen members, writing a pastoral letter to urge them not to take the easy path of avoiding persecution by denying Jesus as the Messiah and reverting back to the Judaism they’d all left.
The Jews had a special relationship with the Romans that other vassal groups did not have. They enjoyed a freedom regarding their religion that allowed for certain preferential treatment, such as following the Sabbath rules every seventh day, even though the Romans had an 8-day week. Jews who believed that Jesus was the Messiah were excommunicated from the Temple and synagogues, and thus also from the protection afforded them under Roman law.
The letter was written probably before AD 70, and definitely before AD 96: Pope Clement I refers to it in his first letter in AD 96, and Hebrews doesn’t mention the destruction of the Temple in AD 70, which would have bolstered the author’s claim that Jesus is the great high priest who fulfilled the former Temple sacrifice requirements. So, it was most likely written in the late 50s or early 60s during Roman persecution under Nero.
Hebrews shows us the need for members of a culture or community to understand its history and formation.
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. 3 He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. — Heb 1:1–4 (NRSV)
The author then details a logical, rabbinic testimony, like a trial lawyer presenting his case, laying a strong foundational argument and then building upon it to show that Jesus is indeed the Messiah they had all been waiting for, and that rejecting him to avoid persecution is not a good idea. The Lectionary leaves a portion of that build up out, but the author intended everyone to hear it (and the entire letter would have been read in one sitting, not as a few sentences at a time spread over 14 weeks of Bible study).
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be his Father, and he will be my Son”? 6 And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” 7 Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.” 8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” 10 And, “In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands; 11 they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing; 12 like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will never end.” 13 But to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”? 14 Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? 1 Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. 2 For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, 4 while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will. — Heb 1:5–2:4
Jesus ranks higher than the angels, according to scripture, and scripture tells us that angels have brought God’s warnings of destruction and also his message of salvation. So, if ignoring the angels’ warnings brings devastation, imagine how bad it would be to ignore the warnings from someone even more powerful than angels.
And yet, the one who ranked higher than the angels became human, a distinct drop in status, in order to show us the extent to which our creator is willing to go to draw us back into proper relationship with him.
David ponders this idea in Psalm 8.
What is a human being that you think f him? And a child of humankind that you care for him? — Ps 8:4 (LEB)
Hebrews comments on David’s rumination in describing Christ’s sacrificial devotion to his role as High Priest and lord of all.
Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. 6 But someone has testified somewhere, “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? 7 You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, 8 subjecting all things under their feet.” Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, 9 but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” — Heb 2:5–12
If Christians today were given a test about the formation of Christianity from the roots of Judaism, how do you think we’d do?
Would we do any better on that test than today’s youth in America who have almost no understanding of this nation’s history? I really doubt it. A survey by the Barna Group (a Christian research company) some years back revealed that 10 percent of professed Christians (actual Christians, not just the average American) believe that Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife.
The influence of the Book of Hebrews within the Church diminished over the centuries, but it needs to become more prominent in our studies as one of the most important New Testament letters. It clearly lays out the case for Jesus as the Christ who is prophesied throughout the Old Testament.
Our spiritual community of believers is made stronger by knowing its formation by the patriarchs, just as our temporal citizenry here is strengthened by knowing about our founding fathers.
If we’re going to be ambassadors of God’s Kingdom, we should be familiar with its history.
Your Brother in Christ,
Fr. Austin