Hebrews 11:1-16

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• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • The Bible Gateway: NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible -  KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Comparative World Scriptures from United Communities of Spirit: Faith.
  • V.XXXII.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter II, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
  • II.2, II.4, Stromata, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • II.25, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 208)
  • Chapter L, On the Soul, Tertullian (c 210)
  • Chapter XII, Exhortation to Chastity, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • II.11, Commentary on the Gospel of John, Origen. (c.228)
  • "The True Doctrine," On the Incarnation of the Word, Athanasius of Alexandria, c. 318.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "An excellent description of faith by the effects, because it represents things which are but yet in hope, and sets as it were before our eyes things that are invisible."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Faith always has been the mark of God's servants, from the beginning of the world."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "The definition of faith given in this verse, and exemplified in the various instances following, undoubtedly includes justifying faith, but not directly as justifying. For faith justifies only as it refers to, and depends on, Christ. But here is no mention of him as the object of faith; and in several of the instances that follow, no notice is taken of him or his salvation, but only of temporal blessings obtained by faith. And yet they may all be considered as evidences of the power of justifying faith in Christ, and of its extensive exercise in a course of steady obedience amidst difficulties and dangers of every kind."
  • On Faith (Hebrews 11:1), On the Discoveries of Faith (Hebrews 11:1). Sermons by John Wesley.
  • Heaven, Edward Griffin, c. 1830.
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "The old meaning of substance, as well as of Hupostasis, the Greek word here used, is "stand under," that is to be a foundation. Faith is the foundation on which all our hopes for the future are built."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • "First Thoughts on Year C Epistle Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 11, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "The author offers a daring interpretation of religious tradition, which might apply to many human religious pursuits."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "On a Wild and Windy Mountain," William Willimon, The Christian Century, 1983. At Religion Online.
    • "How odd that we who make our homes and plant our gardens under the shadow of the mushroom cloud, who regularly discard our innocents in sacrifices to far lesser gods than Yahweh, should look condescendingly upon Abraham."
  • "Faith," "The Great Ones of Faith," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
  • "Citizens of Another City," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Cities and Towns," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2006.
  • "Faith -- Living in the Dark," Expository Essay, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Dr. William R. Long. Part 2.
    • "Faith may not be aimless wandering, but it isn't a planned life. It is real, but it is a different kind of reality."
  • "Seeing Our Way Home," analysis and reflections by Michael Hoy in Sabbatheology by The Crossings Community of St Louis.
    • "The truth is, we would never be able to look at things as the are--in all their reality (including the divine reality)--were it not for the city that God designed and built for us in Jesus the Christ."
• Articles & Background:
  • "The Virtue of Hope," John E. Hare, (other resources at) "Heaven and Hell," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2007.
    • "Hope in the final full actualization of the kingdom of God can sustain our commitment to improve life here on earth...But the virtue of hope must be rooted in faith in God, not mere optimism about human beings’ capacity for self-improvement."
• Articles in ATLAS Journals. (Direct link when you are subscribed and logged in to ATLASerials online collection of Religion and Theology Journals.):
  • Abraham, Wiliam J., "Faith, Assurance, and Conviction: An Epistemological Commentary on Hebrews 11:1," Ex Auditu, 2003.
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  • Baker, Kimberly F., "Hebrews 11 - The Promise of Faith," Review & Expositor, 1997.
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  • Brawley, Robert L., "Discoursive Structure and the Unseen in Hebrews 2:8 and 11:1: A Neglected Aspect of the Context," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1993.
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  • Cosby, Michael R., "The Rhetorical Composition of Hebrews 11," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1988.
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  • Culpepper, R. Alan, "A Superior Faith: Hebrews 10:19-12:2," Review and Expositor, 1985.
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  • Durnbaugh, Donald F., "Go Forth in Faith: Qualities of Faith From Hebrews 11-12," Brethren Life and Thought, 1990.
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  • Miller, Merland Ray, "What Is The Literary Form of Hebrews 11?" Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 1986.
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  • Moltmann, Jürgen, "Control Is Good -- Trust Is Better: Freedom and Security in a 'Free World,'" Theology Today, 2006.
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  • Neyrey, Jerome H., S.J., "God, Benefactor and Patron: The Major Cultural Model for Interpreting the Deity in Greco-Roman Antiquity," Journal for the Study of the New Testament, 2005.
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  • Ray, Stephen G., Jr., "Proper Pre-Natal Care," Journal of Family Ministry, 2005. (Sermon)
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  • Rhee, Victor (Sung Yul), "Chiasm and the Concept of Faith in Hebrews 11," Bibliotheca Sacra, 1998.
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  • Spencer, Richard A., "Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Between Text & Sermon" Interpretation, 1995.
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  • Thiessen, Matthew, "Hebrews and the End of the Exodus," Novum Testamentum, 2007.
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  • Tietjen, John H., "Hebrews 11:8-12, Expository Article," Interpretation, 1988.
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  • Willimon, William, "On a Wild and Windy Mountain," The Christian Century, 1983.
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• Reviews:
• Sermons:
  • "Wishful Thinking, Optimism and Hope," the Rev. Dr. Michael Foss, Day 1, 2007.
  • "The Faith Journey," David Lose, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2007.
  • "Trusting in God in the Days that Lie Ahead," the Rev. Dr. Tony Campolo, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 2002.
  • "The Hope that Comes from Faith," the Rev. Dr. Tony Campolo, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1999.
  • "Where Is Home?" the Rev. Martin Copenhaver, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1995.
  • "Believing Is Seeing," Dr. R. Maurice Boyd, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1991.
  • "Fear Not...But Watch It!" Fr. Patrick Brennan, 30 Good Minutes, Chicago Sunday Evening Club, 1995.
• With Children:
  • "Faith Heroes," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "Things I Don't Understand," Charles Kirkpatrick, Sermons4kids.com.
  • "Pain & Able," "Pilgrims and Strangers," Jim Kerlin, childrensermons.com.
• Drama:
  • "Monkey Faith," John McNeil, dramatix.
  • "You Were There," Mark Shell, dramatix.
  • "The Expedition," Annette Wetherbee, dramatix.
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Hebrews 11:1, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymns with Scripture Allusions: Hebrews 11:1, 2, 3, 6, 10, 13, 16. The Cyber Hymnal.
  • Hymnal Scripture References, The Lutheran Hymnal, Lutheran Worship.
  • At Digital Hymnal (midi files, guitar chords, karaoke files, projection text):
    • I Need Thee, Precious Jesus
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Hebrews