The high priesthood effect of encountering God - reflecting on Hebrews 5:1-10

Stellenbosch Theological Reflection | Stellenbosch Teologiese Refleksie Series

Encounters with God - Theological Reflections on Divine Presence in the Old and New Testaments (editors, Ntozakhe S Cezula (OT) & Marius J Nel (NT), series editor - Marnus Havenga)

The issue that I want to address in this study is high priesthood and its effects, as conceptualised in Hebrews, with specific focus on Hebrews 5:1-10. These effects as I perceive them, have the potential to impact (a) priesthood (pastors, ministers, bishops, priests) as a representative term in the vocation sense of the word, (b) other mortals who benefit through the act(s) of priesthood, and (c) ultimately encounters with God. To address the high priesthood effect, the study should firstly conceptually frame the idea of priesthood in Hebrews; secondly, explain and describe the priestly order of Melchizedek; and finally exegetically deal with the concept of priesthood in the context of Hebrews 5:1-10.

The high priesthood effect of encountering God – reflecting on Hebrews 5:1-10

The high priesthood effect of encountering God - reflecting on Hebrews 5:1-10