The scripture reading appointed for today’s Epistle reading (Hebrews 11:1-3, given on August 7, 2016) has been somewhat of a puzzle for the average Bible reader as well as for the New Testament scholar. My New Testament professor at Philadelphia Divinity School began his lecture on this strange little book this way: “Gentlemen, this is not an epistle and it has nothing to do with the Hebrews.” This explanation was followed by a lengthy discussion and concluded that this was an Early Apostolic sermon which was circulated among the young churches and, therefore, was called an “epistle.” Its authorship is still uncertain, but it was not written by Paul. Scholars believe the author was on of the Apostles.
The theology of the Book of Hebrews is fast-moving and changing. We know it packs an enormous amount of material into a small space. Yet, it follows a fairly logical pattern and provides some of the greatest passages in the New Testament. Such a text is the first line we heard today: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. But hope, then, is the content of faith. The verse is striking in the concise statement of one of the great ideas in all of religion – Faith. This is really only one side of a multi-faceted idea. In fact, throughout the Old and New Testaments, authors look at one side, then another and still another of this complex thought.
Moses shows us the blind faith of the crusader. Job lets us view the steadfast faith of the sufferer. Isaiah embodies the faith that the Promises of the Holy One will be kept. Jesus asked that the sick have faith in the healing power of God and Paul contrasts faith with a person’s own works. And, so, it becomes clear that the author of the book we call Hebrews is not trying to give us a comprehensive definition, only a starting point for further reflection. To apply the definition to our situations, we must look at the word translated “assurance.” It can literally mean “a thing put under” or a foundation. Also, to go along with that, the verse states that faith is the “conviction,” a word that can be translated as “proof,” of that which we cannot see or touch. Faith and hope then seem to be the two sides of the same coin.
We all know from experience that anything we do and believe must have an underlying foundation. No competent architect would design a building without under-pinnings or a solid foundation. A chemist is unable to carry on his scientific work without the basic belief and foundation that certain chemicals, mixed in proper proportion, will react in a predictable way. The examples are endless.
Just as things we do in our daily life and work have foundations, so do the things we believe about God, the Church, ourselves, and those around us. The foundations and assumptions we bring influence the ways we deal with our family; our friends; our associates and strangers we encounter. The caring things and helping things we do have their origins in our faith. It is hard to believe that we can make good things happen in our lives without the foundation of a strong faith.
And what of hope? It is many times easier to just think of giving up. Sometimes it seems that no matter what we do, nothing is going right and nothing seems to work for us. Yet, we find we are buoyed by a strength we are hard-pressed to identify as to source. It seems to come from our own reserve, but we are not sure. The author of Hebrews identifies is as coming from the Source of all hope and power and is available through God’s grace. With that, we may agree that faith and hope are the evidence of “proof” of things experienced, but not seen.
That strange, misunderstood Book of Hebrews offers us much to consider about faith and hope. Take time to see how faith and hope are alive in your life. Heed the glimpse of the touch of God when you recognize it. Offer your faith and hope freely to others. But most of all, give thanks as you see God’s Spirit at work in your lie. “Now faith is the foundation of things hoped for, the proof of things not seen.”
Source: © The Rev. Peter Groschner, August 7, 2016. Hebrews 11:1-3. Reprinted with permission from the author.