Anti -Semitism, anti -Judaism, and/or supersessionism in Hebrews? A socio-rhetorical approach to the polemical passages in Hebrews

This study seeks to answer the question, "Is the epistle to the Hebrews anti-Semitic, anti-Judaic or supersessionist?" The question poses many challenges in light of the continuity and discontinuity found in the epistle. The first three chapters of the dissertation set the stage for a detailed analysis of specific passages. After some initial definitions of terms (anti-Semitism, anti-Judaism, supersessionism) in the introduction, the first chapter goes through the history of scholarship on anti-Semitism, anti-Judaism, and supersessionism in Hebrews. Chapter two introduces the socio-rhetorical approach as the method that will be used to answer the question posed in the study. A review of rhetorical and sociological studies on Hebrews is given, leading to a brief discussion on the merits and weakness of the socio-rhetorical approach. Chapter three identifies the community in Hebrews as a counter-cultural sect seeking to distinguish itself from its parent group.;In chapters four through six specific passages are analyzed: Hebrews 7:1-19, 8:1-13, 10:1-10, respectively. Each chapter begins with an exploration of Second Temple Jewish writings seeking to discern the role and significance of the Levitical priesthood, Mosaic covenant, and Levitical sacrifices, respectively. This research is important in understanding how the author of Hebrews' polemic against these institutions sounded in the Jewish context. In addition, there is a close examination of the polemical rhetoric used in the Second Temple Jewish writings in order to shed light on the author of Hebrews' polemic. Following the examination of Second Temple Jewish writings is a detailed analysis of the specific passages, seeking to discern the socio-rhetorical function of the polemic. The results of this analysis are then used to answer the question, whether the specific passage can be considered anti-Semitic, anti-Judaic, or supersessionist. The conclusion of the dissertation: (1) rejects any claim that the epistle is anti-Semitic; (2) qualifies the anti-Judaism in the paper as not promoting hatred toward Jews or the destruction of the Jewish people; (3) affirms that the epistle argues for the supersession or fulfillment of the Levitical priesthood, Mosaic covenant, and Levitical sacrifices, but not the supersession of the Jewish people.