Theodicy of Sacrifice and High Priestly Ministry of Christ in Hebrews 9:11-28: A Call for Faithfulness and Perseverance

Glenn Jade Mariano

doi:10.35974/isc.v11i7.3406

Authors

Glenn Jade V. Mariano, PhD Adventist University of the Philippines

https://doi.org/10.35974/isc.v11i7.3406

Keywords:

Theodicy, Sanctuary, High Priest, Sacrifice, Suffering

Abstract

There is still a scarcity of the study on theodicy in the Book of Hebrews. There is a claim that “there is no real theodicy” in the Book of Hebrews, just the eternal plan, making Jesus Christ’s disciples like Him, and encouraging them during hardships. By utilizing the historical-biblical method of exegesis, this study explores Christ’s sacrifice and His high priestly ministry in the heavenly sanctuary in Heb 8-10, especially in 9:11-28, as the key elements of the divine justice system. It answers the question “How does the author of Hebrews attempt and justify that God is good and just with the believers and the unjust world through the sacrifice and the heavenly priestly ministry of Christ to solve the sin problem and call the believers to persevere and remain faithful until He comes?” The author of Hebrews discusses and defends that God justifiably deals with the sin problem and restores humanity to Himself through the death of the innocent One (Jesus) on behalf of the sinners and His heavenly priestly ministry in a covenantal perspective. This divine and covenantal intervention with humanity is a revelation of theodicy in itself, showing the believers and the world how God is putting away sins and reconciling the people to Himself through Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice and high priestly ministry in the heavenly sanctuary that will culminate at His second coming as exemplified in Heb 9:11-28. Such revelation calls for the believers to persevere and remain faithful to God for their spiritual sustainability during hardships until Jesus comes.

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Author Biography

Glenn Jade V. Mariano, PhD, Adventist University of the Philippines

Glenn Jade V. Mariano is a Filipino Seventh-day Adventist. He completed his tertiary education at the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) in March 2000 with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in History and Philosophy of Religion and Bachelor of Arts in Theology. He studied and completed his master's (Oct. 2007) and doctorate (Oct. 2019) degrees (MA-R & PhD-R) at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS), majoring in New Testament biblical studies. His doctoral dissertation deals with the newness of the new covenant in Heb 8:7–13. He is currently teaching at the College of Theology of the Adventist University of the Philippines as an assistant professor and research consultant. He is married to Glady Quilit-Mariano, DMD. They are blessed with a daughter, Jady Glenneth.

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