Journal: Tyndale Bulletin
Volume: TYNBUL 69:2 (NA 2018)
Article: Hebrews 12:18–24 Apocalyptic Typology Or Platonic Dualism?
Author: Gareth Lee Cockerill

TynBull 69:2 (2018) p. 225

Hebrews 12:18–24
Apocalyptic Typology Or Platonic Dualism?

Gareth Lee Cockerill

([email protected])

Summary

Those who have approached Hebrews either from the point of view of apocalyptic eschatology or from the perspective of neoplatonism have often misinterpreted the two ‘mountains’ in Hebrews 12:18–24. The first understand these ‘mountains’ as representing the Old and New Covenants; the second, the earthly and heavenly worlds. This paper argues that the two ‘mountains’ represent two present possibilities. The first is the present state and future destiny of the disobedient who are excluded from fellowship with God; the second, the present state and future destiny of the faithful who enter into that fellowship.

This interpretation is substantiated by a careful examination of the text and confirmed by the way this interpretation fits with Hebrews’ rhetorical strategy and use of the Old Testament. Crucial to the argument is the total lack of continuity between the two mountains that would be essential to substantiate either of the traditional interpretations.

1. Introduction

I need not remind my readers that discussion of Hebrews’ eschatology is perennial. Many argue that an apocalyptic, linear eschatology is predominant. Such eschatology anticipates the in-breaking of God’s future world of salvation. It has strong affinity with early Christian tradition as represented in other parts of the NT. It is at home with the Old Covenant as a type now fulfilled in the New and with Hebrews’ anticipation of the return of Christ (9:28) and the final Judgement

TynBull 69:2 (2018) p. 226

(12:25–29).1 For those who hold this view, Hebrews’ references to a heavenly world pose no objection. Apocalyptic writers often believed in a present, eternal heavenly world as well as in the future in-breaking of that world.2

Others, of course, contend that the eschatology of Hebrews is predominately spatial and metaphysical in accord with Philo and other neoplatonic sources.3 The present temporal world is a copy of the eternal world. The Old Covenant, representative of the temporal world, is a copy of the New Covenant, which represents the eternal world. Hebrews is not concerned so much with the return of Christ and a future judgement as with the entrance of the soul into this eternal world at death. Ei...