Faithfulness and the Purpose of Hebrews : A Social Identity Approach

A new interpretation of the meaning and purpose of the Epistle to the Hebrews, employing the branch of social psychology known as social identity theory. Faithfulness and the Purpose of Hebrews offers fresh answers to several unresolved questions by employing that branch of social psychology known as social identity theory. The author of Hebrews describes the faithfulness of Jesus as "prototypical" and relates the faithfulness of all other to Jesus' faith. Utilizing a model of present temporal orientation, the study interprets the dynamic relationship between the "antecedent" faithfulness of many witnesses and the "forthcoming" promised rest of the addressees. The addressees of Hebrews were encouraged to "understand their futures by looking to the past". Social identity theorists explain that groups with a negative social identity have two broad options: social mobility or social change. The study concludes that the author of Hebrews provides internal constraints that are meant to prevent social mobility.