Biblical and Theological Studies Faculty Publications

The Drama of Discipline: Toward an Intertextual Profile of Paideia in Hebrews 12

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2016

Journal Title

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

Volume

59

Issue

3

First Page

487

Last Page

506

Abstract

When the concept of discipline (paideia) is examined in the biblical writings, often an interpreter makes a choice between the punitive or educative sense of the term. Does it mean correction for disobedience or does it mean the process of education or training for a task? In Heb 12:3–11, this interpretive choice becomes critically important. In particular, determining the appropriate conceptual background that informs this concept is necessary for understanding its meaning and function in Hebrews 12. This study seeks to demonstrate the strategic signifi-cance of this passage, examine the nature of paideia, and then provide a profile of two OT contexts that likely inform the concept of discipline in Hebrews 12: the directly quoted context of the book of Proverbs and the less recognized intertextual backdrop of the book of Deuteronomy.

Keywords

Hebrews, Hebrews 12, discipline, paideia, intertextuality, conceptual back-ground, Proverbs, Deuteronomy

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