The Anchor of the Soul that Enters Within the Veil

572 Pages·2017·1.7 MB·English

by  Felix H. Cortez

Andrews University
Digital Commons @ Andrews University
Dissertations Graduate Research
2008
"The Anchor of the Soul that Enters Within the
Veil": the Ascension of the "Son" in the Letter to the
Hebrews
Felix H. Cortez
Andrews University
Follow this and additional works at:http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations
Part of thePhilosophy Commons,Reading and Language Commons, and theReligion
Commons
Recommended Citation
Cortez, Felix H., ""The Anchor of the Soul that Enters Within the Veil": the Ascension of the "Son" in the Letter to the Hebrews"
(2008).Dissertations. 26.
http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/26
This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted
for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact
[email protected].
Thank you for your interest in the

Andrews University Digital Library
of Dissertations and Theses
.

Please honor the copyright of this document by
not duplicating or distributing additional copies
in any form without the author’s express written
permission. Thanks for your cooperation.
ABSTRACT
“THE ANCHOR OF THE SOUL THAT ENTERS WITHIN THE VEIL”:
THE ASCENSION OF THE “SON” IN THE
LETTER TO THE HEBREWS
by
Felix H. Cortez
Adviser: Jon Paulien
ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH
Dissertation
Andrews University
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Title: “THE ANCHOR OF THE SOUL THAT ENTERS WITHIN THE VEIL”: THE
ASCENSION OF THE “SON” IN THE LETTER TO THE HEBREWS
Name of researcher: Felix H. Cortez
Name and degree of faculty adviser: Jon Paulien, Ph.D.
Date completed: July 2008
Problem
This dissertation studies the nature of Jesus’ ascension to heaven and its role in
the argument of Hebrews.
Method
The study consists of an analysis of those passages in which Jesus’ ascension is
referred to directly (Heb 1:6; 4:14-16; 6:19-20; 9:11-14, 24; 10:19-22) and a study of the
imagery Hebrews uses to couch its theology, giving special attention to the role of this
imagery in the progression of the argument. The studyis both exegetical and theological
in nature, seeking to provide an analysis of specific passages as well as systematization of
their import.
Results
The six passages that refer explicitly to Jesus’ ascension in Hebrews (1:6; 4:14-
16; 6:19-20; 9:11-14, 24; 10:19-22) associate the ascension with different aspects of
Jesus’ achievements. Hebrews 1:6 relates the ascension with Jesus’ enthronement (also
4:14-16); 6:19-20, with his appointment as high priest; 9:11-14, 24 and 10:19-22, with
the inauguration of the new covenant. All of these events form part of Jesus’ exaltation at
the right hand of God (1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2) and contribute to his identity as “Son.”
These achievements of Jesus have an intriguing similarity to the achievements of
righteous Davidic kingsin the Hebrew Bible:After ascending the throne, the righteous
Davidic king would (1) renew the covenant between God and the nation, (2) cleanse the
land, (3) build or repair the temple, (4) reform the cult and reorganize the priests and
Levites, (5) promote the reunification of Israel, and (6) achieve rest by defeating the
enemies. Finally, the rise to power of the Davidic king often coincides with (7) the
emergence of a faithful priest.The Hebrew prophets and thoseearly Jewish documents
that continue to hold fast to a Davidic hope project these achievements into the future and
elevate them to an eschatological dimension.
Hebrewsargues that Jesus fulfilled these expectations: Jesus is the “son”
enthroned at the right hand of God (1:3, 5-6), he has defeated “death,” the enemy (2:14-
16), built the “house of God” (3:1-6; 8:1-5), and provided “rest” for his people (4:1-10).
His ascension to the throne implies as well the emergence of a new faithful priest of the
order of Melchizedek (chaps. 5-7) and a reformation of the cult—specifically of the law
of sacrifices (9:24-10:18) and priesthood (7:13-28). The new king cleanses his people
(9:11-14), mediates a new covenant (9:15-23), and reforms the cult by establishing one
sacrifice that is effective “once for all” (9:24-10:18) and multiple spiritual sacrifices
(13:10-16), all of which conclude in a joyous celebration at Mount Zion (12:22-29)—as
the reforms of ancient Jewish kings did.
In other words, the study suggests that Hebrews conceives the ascension as the
inauguration of Jesus’ office as “Son” at the “right hand of God” (Heb 1:3, 13; 4:14-16;
8:1-2; 10:12-13; 12:1-2) and that it understands the title “Son” as the fulfillment of the
promise made to David (2 Sam 7:12-15) which is claimed for Jesus explicitly in Heb 1:5.
Chapter 1 states the problem and analyzes the two answers that have been offered
in scholarly literature (the Day of Atonement and the Inauguration of the Sanctuary as
typologies or analogies to Jesus’ ascension). It also introduces the delimitations and
methodology of the study. Chapter 2 presents the findings regarding the expectations of
the rule of righteous Davidic kings both in the Hebrew Bible and early Jewish
documents. Chapter 3 analyzes the ascension passages in Hebrews and their relationship
to the fulfillment of the expectations regarding a future righteous Davidic king. Chapter 4
presents the results of the study.
Conclusion
Davidic traditions function as an essential subtext of Hebrews and provide the
necessary force to its hortatory argument. The author of Hebrews argues that Jesus’
exaltation in heaven as the eschatological Davidic king brings about the fulfillment of
God’s promises for his people: entrance into rest, an intercessor, cleansing from sin, and
the restoration of the covenant. On the other hand, Jesus’ exaltation also demands their
allegiance to him; otherwise, they will suffer the judgment of God.He exhorts them,
then, to “hold fast the confession” so that they may inherit the promises of God.
Andrews University
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
“THE ANCHOR OF THE SOUL THAT ENTERS WITHIN THE VEIL”:
THE ASCENSION OF THE “SON” IN THE
LETTER TO THE HEBREWS
A Dissertation
Presented in Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
by
Felix H. Cortez
July 2008
© Copyright by Felix H. Cortez 2008
All Rights Reserved
“THE ANCHOR OF THE SOUL THAT ENTERS WITHIN THE VEIL”:
THE ASCENSION OF THE “SON” IN THE
LETTER TO THE HEBREWS
A dissertation
presented in partial fulfillment
of the requirements for the degree
Doctor of Philosophy
by
Felix H. Cortez
APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE
________________________________ _____________________________
Faculty Adviser, Director of the Ph.D./Th.D. Program
Jon Paulien Roy E. Gane
Dean, School of Religion
Loma Linda University
________________________________ _____________________________
Roy E. Gane Dean, SDA Theological Seminary
Professor of Hebrew Bible and Denis Fortin
Ancient Near Eastern Languages
________________________________
Richard M. Davidson
J. N. Andrews Professor of
Old Testament Interpretation
________________________________
John K. McVay
Professor of New Testament
President Walla Walla College
________________________________ _____________________________
Harold W. Attridge Date approved
Lillian Claus Professor of New Testament
Dean, Yale Divinity School
To Alma
In the hope that
I mightnot forget
How much I owe her
iii