Full Description
Joshua D. A. Bloor argues that the purification of the consciousness of sin, via Jesus' perpetual heavenly blood offering, is a vital motif for understanding Hebrews' sacrificial argumentation, and vice-versa. Jesus' 'objective' earthly achievements are many, yet only his 'subjective' heavenly blood offering purges the heavenly tabernacle and subsequently the consciousness of sin. Bloor views the Levitical cult as having a positive role in Hebrews, with Levitical 'guilt' foreshadowing and informing Hebrews' notion of the 'consciousness of sin'. Levitical sacrifices could purge the consciousness, but only Jesus' heavenly blood can offer complete perpetual purgation. This blood is a qualitative type of purgation which continually speaks in heaven, offering eternal assurance for the recipients regarding their consciousness of sin.
Bloor begins with the 'defiled consciousness' and situates the world of Hebrews within cultic defilement, enabling the consciousness of sin and its cosmic implications to be properly understood. From here, the solution to a defiled consciousness is explored by examining Hebrews' cultic argumentation. Bloor highlights the distinctive purposes inherent in both Jesus' earthly and heavenly achievements, with the latter concerned particularly with Yom Kippur imagery and the purgation of the consciousness. Bloor concludes by differentiating between Jesus' session, present heavenly activity and perpetual heavenly blood offering. Throughout this volume, Bloor engages, critiques and advances current discourse concerning the nature and timing of Jesus' offering in Hebrews.
Contents
List of Abbreviations
Abstract
Declaration and Copyright Statement
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part I: The Defiled Consciousness
Chapter 1: Cosmic Defilement: The Cultic Context of Defilement
Part II: Purifying the Consciousness: Cosmic Purgation
Chapter 2: Navigating Hebrews' Sacrificial Argumentation: Yom Kippur and Jesus' Earthly and Heavenly Achievements
Chapter 3: How Much More the Blood of Christ? Ritual, Perfection, and the Finality of Purgation
Part III: Assurance and The Purified Consciousness
Chapter 4: Divine Help, Assurance, and Perpetual Blood
Chapter 5: Conclusion
Bibliography
Index
