4
primitive Christianity as Grässer does. Consequently, it cannot be said that faith in Hebrews is
ethically oriented in the sense that it is removed from the Christ-event due to the delay of the
parousia.
Then how does one account for the ethical aspect of faith in Hebrews? One possible
explanation for this question may have to do with the eschatological nature of faith in Hebrews.
Hughes rightly points out that piv
sti"
words are used only in parenetic sections in Hebrews.
14
He
observes that "this section of the letter consistently views salvation as a future entity, something
which the congregation does not yet have within its grasp and which, in their complacency, its
members may yet perfectly well lose."
15
Therefore, the emphasis of faith in Hebrews is on
faithfulness and the determination to be steadfast as the antidotes to such dangerous lassitude, not
because of the author's theological intention to de-Christologize the concept of faith.
16
This brief
interaction with Grässer shows that his thesis needs to be reconsidered from different angles.
C
HRISTOLOGICAL
V
IEW
In response to the ethical view of faith in Hebrews, there are scholars who express the
opinion that the concept of faith in Hebrews is Christologically oriented. However, among those
who hold the Christological view, some go as far as stating that Jesus is portrayed as the model of
faith.
17
On the other hand, others argue that Jesus is regarded as the object of faith.
18
It is my
opinion that in Hebrews Jesus is portrayed is not only as the model of faith, but also as the object
13 Michel, "Faith, Persuade, Belief, Unbelief," in NIDNTT, 1:602.
14 G. R. Hughes, Hebrews and Hermeneutics, Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series, vol. 36
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1979), 139.
15 Ibid.
16 Ibid.
17 For example, Dennis Hamm, "Faith in the Epistle to the Hebrews: The Jesus Factor," Catholic Biblical
Quarterly 52 (1990): 27091; G. R. Hughes, Hebrews and Hermeneutics, 80.
18 For example, L. D. Hurst, The Epistle to the Hebrews: Its Background of Thought, Society for New Testament
Studies Monograph Series 65 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990), 11924; M. R. Miller, "Seven
Theological Themes in Hebrews," Grace Theological Journal 8 (1987): 13140.