Changes

[[Image:KJV 1611 Hebrews.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The 1611 edition of the [[King James Bible]] showing the opening of the Epistle to the Hebrews.]]

[[Image:KJV 1611 Hebrews.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The 1611 edition of the [[King James Bible]] showing the opening of the Epistle to the Hebrews.]]

The [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] is the nineteenth book of the [[New Testament]], and one of the greatest mysteries in all of intellectual history: the authorship of this brilliant work is unknown, and one plausible{{fact}} theory is that Jesus himself wrote or dictated it. It is not a letter at all, but a detailed explanation of the reasons behind Jesus's life and [[Passion of Christ|Passion]], and how [[God]] did not fail to intervene.  Unlike the real New Testament letters, this book is not introduced by the name of its author.

The [[Epistle to the Hebrews]] is the nineteenth book of the [[New Testament]], and one of the greatest mysteries in all of intellectual history: the authorship of this brilliant work is unknown, and one plausible theory is that Jesus himself wrote or dictated it. It is not a letter at all, but a detailed explanation of the reasons behind Jesus's life and [[Passion of Christ|Passion]], and how [[God]] did not fail to intervene.  Unlike the real New Testament letters, this book is not introduced by the name of its author.

The content of this short book is at the highest intellectual level.  It appears to have been directed at the ancient Hebrew audience as its title suggests, because it draws an analogy between the new concept of [[Christian]] [[faith]] and the sacrifice of [[Isaac]] in the [[Old Testament]].<ref>Saldarini, Anthony J. [http://mb-soft.com/believe/txs/hebrews.htm ''Epistle to the Hebrews''] Believe. Accessed 15 March 2008</ref><ref>Pawson, J. David ''Unlocking The Bible'' p.1113 (London, Collins; 2003) ISBN 978 0 00 716666 4</ref>

'''''The content of this short book is at the highest intellectual level'''''.  It appears to have been directed at the ancient Hebrew audience as its title suggests, because it draws an analogy between the new concept of [[Christian]] [[faith]] and the sacrifice of [[Isaac]] in the [[Old Testament]].<ref>Saldarini, Anthony J. [http://mb-soft.com/believe/txs/hebrews.htm ''Epistle to the Hebrews''] Believe. Accessed 15 March 2008</ref><ref>Pawson, J. David ''Unlocking The Bible'' p.1113 (London, Collins; 2003) ISBN 978 0 00 716666 4</ref>

==Language==

==Language==

Attridge<ref>Attridge, Harold W. ''Epistle to the Hebrews'' Anchor Bible Dictionary</ref> writes: "Although Hebrews is included in the Pauline corpus and was part of that corpus in its earliest attested form ([eg papyrus] ''P46''), it is certainly not a work of the apostle. This fact was recognized, largely on stylistic grounds, even in antiquity. Some patristic authors defended the traditional Pauline attribution with theories of scribal assistants such as [[Clement]] of Rome or Luke, but such hypotheses do not do justice to the very un-Pauline treatment of key themes, particularly those of law and faith. Numerous alternative candidates for authorship have been proposed. The most prominent have been [[Barnabas]], to whom [[Tertullian]] assigned the work; [[Apollos]], defended by [[Martin Luther|Luther]] and many moderns; [[Priscilla]], suggested by von Harnack; [[Epaphras]]; and [[Silas]]. Arguments for none are decisive, and [[Origen|Origen's]] judgment that "''God only knows''" who composed the work is sound."

Attridge<ref>Attridge, Harold W. ''Epistle to the Hebrews'' Anchor Bible Dictionary</ref> writes: "Although Hebrews is included in the Pauline corpus and was part of that corpus in its earliest attested form ([eg papyrus] ''P46''), it is certainly not a work of the apostle. This fact was recognized, largely on stylistic grounds, even in antiquity. Some patristic authors defended the traditional Pauline attribution with theories of scribal assistants such as [[Clement]] of Rome or Luke, but such hypotheses do not do justice to the very un-Pauline treatment of key themes, particularly those of law and faith. Numerous alternative candidates for authorship have been proposed. The most prominent have been [[Barnabas]], to whom [[Tertullian]] assigned the work; [[Apollos]], defended by [[Martin Luther|Luther]] and many moderns; [[Priscilla]], suggested by von Harnack; [[Epaphras]]; and [[Silas]]. Arguments for none are decisive, and [[Origen|Origen's]] judgment that "''God only knows''" who composed the work is sound."

Andrew Schlafly, founder of [[Conservapedia]], proposes the possibility that Jesus Christ Himself was the author of this epistle (see [[Mystery:Did Jesus Write the Epistle to the Hebrews?]]). This theory has also been suggested by a number of biblical scholars over the years.{{fact}}

Andrew Schlafly, founder of [[Conservapedia]], proposes the possibility that Jesus Christ Himself was the author of this epistle (see [[Mystery:Did Jesus Write the Epistle to the Hebrews?]])

==Provenance==

==Provenance==