Who is the Author of Your Life(?)

Last month I introduced the new conversation partner our recovery posts will interact with for “a while”—the letter to the Hebrews—you can find it in your New Testament between Philomen and James. It is a letter of significant impact, yet currently its authorship remains unknown. Yes, there is a list of individuals that could potentially be the owner, a list that is quite long, however, to date it remains the only anonymous book in your Bible. 

“God knows in truth” who authored this letter, and he (God) has preserved it for our benefit [quote to Origen; Ellingworth, 5]. Hebrews is a rich message that presents the theme of hope in Christ as a better resource for living life than relying on what society has to offer. In recovery that means whatever you are relying on to medicate yourself in the face of challenge, a relationship with Christ is a better way to manage what you are attempting to overcome. The Hebrews message offers hope to those willing to persevere in times of struggle by understanding the suffering Christ experienced to purchase salvation and freedom from hurts, hang-ups, and habits.  

Hebrews 1:1–2 (CSB)  

1 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. 2 In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe through him.  

If you are curious about authorship, continue reading. 

 The authorship of an ancient letter in your Bible is determined with several research techniques that conveniently classify in one of the two areas; “comparative,” or “internal.” Quite simply the letter in question is compared to the inspired work by authors of the different texts of the Bible to find similarity of word use, grammar, syntax, and reference style. Internal evidence of authorship is the content of the letter itself; for example, in several of Paul’s letters he clearly states he is the author (see Gal. 1:1; 6:11). [Ellingworth, The Epistle to the Hebrews, 3]. Suggested authors include Paul, Barnabas, Stephen, Luke, Pracilla, and others. For one reason or another the evidence affirming any of these individuals is not convincing enough. 

Continue reading your Bible every day—it’s a life changer!