Temporal Oppositions as Hermeneutical Categories in the Epistle to the Hebrews

This study develops the thesis that the Epistle to the Hebrews uses temporal oppositions as an important literary and theological device within its discourse. It provides a detailed analysis on the lexical field of time and the temporal lines of sense in the Epistle. In addition to the traditional historical-literary methods, the author applies elements from modern linguistics, reader-response theory, and hermeneutics. By using temporal contrasts, this Epistle obtains a clear delineation of the present eschatological status of the Christian community, and creates a forceful exhortation to live according to our stance in history.