The authorship of the Book of Hebrews, including Hebrews 1:1-2, has been a topic of much debate among scholars and theologians. From an evangelical Christian perspective, several points can be considered regarding potential authorship:
### Common Candidates for Authorship
1. **Paul the Apostle**: Some early church fathers attributed Hebrews to Paul due to similarities in theology and themes found in his letters. However, the writing style of Hebrews is quite different from Paul’s other epistles, and there is no explicit claim of authorship within the text.
2. **Barnabas**: Some early Christians, such as Tertullian, proposed Barnabas, a companion of Paul, as the author. This is primarily based on his close association with Paul and his understanding of the Jewish faith.
3. **Apollos**: Another suggestion from more contemporary scholarship is Apollos, an eloquent speaker and knowledgeable in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24-28). His familiarity with both Jewish and Hellenistic thought could match the style and themes of Hebrews.
4. **Luke**: Some evangelicals also consider Luke, the author of the Gospel of Luke and Acts, as a possible author due to his polished Greek and theological depth. However, this theory lacks strong historical support.
5. **Clement of Rome**: There are arguments for Clement of Rome based on similarities in language and themes, though this is less widely accepted.
### Hebrews 1:1-2 Context
In these verses, the author contrasts God’s past revelations through the prophets with the ultimate revelation through His Son, Jesus Christ. The passage emphasizes the superiority of Christ and sets the tone for the rest of the book, which focuses on His divinity and the New Covenant.
### Conclusions
While the exact authorship of Hebrews remains uncertain in evangelical scholarship, the early church attributed it to significant figures who were well-versed in Jewish thought and Christian doctrine. Regardless of authorship, evangelicals universally regard the book as inspired scripture, emphasizing its theological richness and relevance to the Christian faith.