Hermeneutical Symbiosis

Abstract

This research aims to investigate the relationship between the Levitical sacrificial system and the new sacrificial system, as described in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews, renowned for its abundance of cultic terminology that appears to elucidate and assess both the old and new cultic systems, has long been interpreted as presenting and emphasizing Jesus’ new cultus over the inferior Levitical cultus, leading many to view the author as disparaging the old cultus. Contrary to such views, this study contends that Hebrews establishes an interdependent, typological relationship between the old and new cultic systems, with the former serving as a foundation for Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice. This dissertation argues that Hebrews establishes a symbiotic relationship between the old and new cultuses. Drawing upon a social scientific criticism focused on a cultural-anthropological perspective with purity concerns, this study investigates the relationship between old and new cultuses by looking at four of the five ritual elements from ritual theory—sacrificer, sacrifice, time, and space. By investigating each ritual element using specific criteria, such as its origin and identity, description, and degree of purity gained, similarities and differences are identified, demonstrating their typological relationships. The analysis begins with spatial theory to show how ritual spaces, the earthly and heavenly tabernacles, are typologically connected, with the earthly tabernacle foreshadowing the heavenly one. This spatial dynamic emphasizes Hebrews’s nuanced argument that the old cultus is essential to understanding the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice. This dissertation further explores sacrificers, sacrifice, and ritual time, demonstrating how the author establishes the typological relationship between the two cultuses by highlighting both their similarities and differences. The author’s presentation of the old cultic elements alludes to their preparatory nature as originally intended, anticipating the fulfillment of the new cultic elements. In addition to their similarities that contribute to continuity, the differences that arise from the seemingly limited efficacy of the old cultus eventually serve as the foundation for the ultimate perfection that can be obtained through Jesus’ new cultus. Following the faithful performance of its duties, the old cultic system was fulfilled by the new cultic system, which brought about perfection, symbolizing the highest level of purity in God’s redemptive plan. In this sense, the author values the old cultus as the foundation for the new, rather than viewing it negatively. Finally, this study proposes a typological symbiotic relationship between old and new cultuses in Hebrews, with the old serving as the type that anticipates the fulfillment of the new, the antitype.