Sinfulness and holiness in the epistle to the Hebrews

Abstract

The objective of this thesis is to analyse the implication of holiness in the Letter to Hebrews as sharers in the divine nature of God, as stated in Lumen Gentium chapter five, and respectively in the new exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate. Gaudete et Exsultate has capitulated the importance of the Universal call to holiness, already insisted upon by the Vatican Council II (1962-1965). I would like to express the relevance of this specific topic when delving into the New Testament text of the Letter to Hebrews. The author of this Letter encourages his addressee to, “Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful” (Heb 10:23). In light of Gaudete et Exsultate, the practice of the beatitudes in our daily lives is the way which grafts us towards hope that in Christ’s sacrifice we are rendered capable of living holiness to the full.