This study examines the five passages in the Epistle to the Hebrews which are traditionally regarded as references to Christ's Second Coming (Hebr 1,6; 9,28; 10,25.36-39; 12,25-29). The starting point is the contention that apocalyptic references to the parousia do not match the thinking of the rest of the epistle, which is determined rather by a Middle Platonic ontology. In order to resolve this tension, Part I undertakes a close textual analysis of the problematical passages in the Letter to the Hebrews, and in Part II these are related to relevant texts by Philon, Plutarch, Seneca and Alcinous, which are also subjected to close analysis. Part III finally synthesises the results of the first two parts and shows that it is plausible to accept that the author of the Letter to the Hebrews has undertaken a Middle Platonic transformation of the notion of the Second Coming.

Diss. theol. Tübingen 2001, betreut von Prof. Dr. Michael Theobald. Der Autor arbeitet als Vikar in der katholischen Kirchengemeinde St. Maria in Aalen.