The Heart Matters

For years I have joked with people that I am a Jewish American Princess. This started in college. Many people would ask me if I were Jewish. I’m not sure why so many people inquired about my ethnicity – I just figured it was my nose and I reminded them of Barbara Streisand. I was also rather demanding and ostentatious.

On occasion I would wonder was I Jewish. Were people seeing something I couldn’t see? After all my father was adopted and his biological father was a Russian immigrant who moved here near the 1930’s. Many Jews left Europe prior to the war. I wondered, “Was my grandfather Jewish?”

I found this fun web site – about origins of Surnames. My father’s adopted name has Jewish origins. I never knew Gerber was Hebrew. I thought it to be German.

When my dad was adopted – his adoption was open. That was very unusual for adoptions of the day. Most were closed – no information was shared. He had an opportunity to meet his biological mother – she has an Eastern European background. He decided to never meet her or his maternal siblings. He never had contact with his father.

The question still stands, “Why was this adoption open?”

Still there is the mystery of my biological grandfather. Who was he really? Why did his family immigrate to the United States? Do I have a Jewish background?

I suppose it does not really matter, but this silly web site just got me thinking. Maybe I am a Jewish American Princess. That is just an outrageous thought.

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I recently came across an article that postulates that the author of the Book of Hebrews is not Paul, Luke, Barnabas, Apollos or Aquila, but rather the author is Peter.

Before reading this article, I laughed, “Peter, you must be kidding me.” But then I hesitated as I have been studying the Petrine epistles. The Books of 1Peter and 2Peter are quite amazing in detail and are so full of rich theology that I just had to read this article with an open mind.

The Authorship of the Book of Hebrews is an article written by Jeffrey S. Bowman. In this excerpt, Bowman first refutes the authorship of Paul:

Guthrie in his volume “New Testament Introduction” states: “Most modern writers find more difficulty in imagining how this Epistle was ever attributed to Paul than in disposing of the theory.” [1] Guthrie continues and lists five arguments against a Pauline authorship. Summarized they are as follows: 1. The anonymity of the book is not in keeping with Paul’s pattern. 2. Differences in style. 3. The absence or lack of Pauline spiritual experience. 4. Theological differences both theoretical and practical. 5. A different historical position of the writer than Paul. [2] One can also find similar arguments against Paul or a student of Paul’s authorship of Hebrew in the research of many able New Testament scholars. Books by Milligan, Zahn, and Allen & Grensted are of note. [3]

Bowman further demonstrates that Paul was the Apostle to the Uncircumcised while Peter was entrusted as a Pillar of the Church and his Ministry was to shepherd the Jewish flock.

The language that Paul uses in his letters is geared towards Gentiles, non-Jews, while the language in Hebrews is Hebrew-centric.

Examples from his article:

Bowman calls Peter the “Forgotten Apostle of the Circumcision.” He then proceeds “to observe ‘fingerprint patterns’ consisting of style and vocabulary” and then to look into Hebrews and draw a great connection.

The parallels between the Petrine letters and Hebrews are strong. Although Bowman lists many, here is a sampling of those passages that carry similar imprints:

PETER	HEBREWS
I Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.	12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.10:2 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
I Peter 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.	5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant
I Peter 4:14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.	11:26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.
I Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.	6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come.
I Peter 3:21. The like figure [antitupon] whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.	9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures [antitupon] of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.*** note *** The greek word [antitupon] only appears in these two passages.

These are just a few of the “finger prints” that Bowman points out to us. I have got to say that this is most intriguing and so encouraging for someone like me who can so easily identify with Peter – brash, head-strong, broken and Spirit-filled Peter.

In Acts 1:20 -22, we see that it was Peter who was quite familiar with the scriptures. It is Peter who quotes from Psalms and convinces everyone that someone needs to take the leadership position that Judas forsook:

“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the book of Psalms,
   ” ‘May his place be deserted;
      let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and,
   ” ‘May another take his place of leadership.’ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

Peter was an amazing man. Earlier in John 21, Jesus reinstates Peter as the one who will shepherd his flock. It is quite evident here in Acts that Peter was no longer one who lacked both restraint and discernment. He immediately gets down to work – work that glorifies Christ. Peter can no longer be identified with the frightened coward. He now speaks with power and authority. He is now both bold and courageous.

Once he was filled with the Spirit, his giftings became even more evident and fruit producing. In chapter Acts 2, Peter takes the lead and speaks, relying heavily upon the scriptures. He persuades 3,000 men (plus women and children) to come to Christ at that time. Later, Peter and John are arrested for speaking with such authority and mighty command of the word. Peter gives an amazing defense and turns the tables on the religious leaders of the day.  Peter, filled with the Spirit, was able to do amazing things. He was able to confound those who would not believe or be moved by the prompting of the Spirit. Peter was a man who knew his word.

From the speeches in Acts and from the Petrine letters, we see that Peter could have indeed written the complex and theology rich letter of Hebrews. Christ understood that the church would be build upon the Rock, Petras. It was not only Peter’s amazing faith that Christ saw, but it could also have been Peter’s deep love and understanding of the Word.

Perhaps no introduction was necessary for the author of Hebrews. Perhaps it was “a given,” as all knew who Peter was and that he spoke with God inspired authority. Peter was the Rock upon which the church was built.

So I thank you Mr. Bowman for writing such a wonderful article. I know that no one can know for certain who wrote this book. From now on though, it delights my soul to consider and titillates my mind to think that it was Peter who composed such a mighty work.

Perhaps Hebrews was to the circumcised as Romans was to the uncircumcised. Perhaps Peter was just as an amazing theologian as Paul was. Who can know just how amazing it is to be filled and empowered through and by the Holy Spirit? Who can fully comprehend?

Peter used his gifting so well. I can only hope that someday the Lord will use and refine the gifts that he has given to me. Please read this article by Bowman. You will not be disappointed. You may even become inspired by both the Holy Spirit and by the Word.

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