575 ἀπαύγασμα (apaugasma), ατος (atos), τό (to): [SIZE=.92em]radiance[/SIZE], effulgence, brilliance (Heb 1:3)
He is effulgence of his (i.e. the Father’s) glory...the Glory is not his and not once does he claim ownership of this Glory. This must concern the Trinitarian. To my knowledge there is not a logical explanation or spiritual reason why Jesus, if being God, would not claim the Glories true origin i.e Jesus himself, of course if Jesus were a born Son (like all sons though he has a God as a Heavenly Father) who did not pre-exist, this makes sense - he could not claim ownership of something which was not his.
Heb 1:3 is drawing on Christs true position in his relation to God as Jesus shows in plain language in John 12:45;14:9. The writer is using metaphors which had already been applied to Wisdom and the Logos. The meaning “effulgence” suits the context of Heb 1:3 better, because Jesus manifested the Word of God, Light i.e. the Glory of that Word was manifest through sinful flesh and overcame to reveal the Glory of God - particularly His righteousness (John 1:1; Rom 3:20,21,22,23,24,25,26)
If I were a Trinitarian I would be looking for text which is not expressive of the idea of the One and only effulging His light through a mortal condemned man - language which involved Jesus being the image of the actual substance would be disconcerting - as this is what is promised of all Gods children.
What would further concern me regarding Heb 1:3 is Pauls support of effulgence in Heb 1:4 "By the word (of God) his power" he "became" so much better than the angels - if Jesus were God this makes no sense at all - in fact why even mention it - shouldn't that be assumed? If the Word is Christs - if the Glory is Christ - If the Name was always Christs - And the Power - why compare him to a higher position to angels? mere servants! Heb 1:14
It would only be special if his position was a reward for faith (Heb 11:6)
Again you would rightly ask "why is everything light, wisdom, glory etc coming from a single source and not Christ himself?" This leads to kenotic doctrine for it must needs be designed to answer these questions.
Now this would further concern me as we discovered in Phil 2 doesn't hold the context for such complex doctrine.
And finally, we find Christ "sat down" having accomplished the works God had assigned to him he rested beside the Majesty. Notice even in his now glorified state he is not assigned a title anything beyond Son of the Most High.
The entire book of Hebrews then proceeds to high light Jesus as pictured in Heb 1:1-4 as King (Prophet and Priest) Messiah seated at the right hand of God.
There simply is no context here for a pre-existent Christ - there is plenty of awe in wonder of an obedient Son being glorified to a position of marvellous glory beside his Father but anything more is old dogma.
Purity
p.s Heb 1:4 "He became" & "He Inherited" are problematic for Trinitarians as both terms infer a changing in rank and status. However the rank and status is not the Most High. Most High infers none other beside Him is the Highest. How can God inherit anything? Psalm 50:10 ;)
He is effulgence of his (i.e. the Father’s) glory...the Glory is not his and not once does he claim ownership of this Glory. This must concern the Trinitarian. To my knowledge there is not a logical explanation or spiritual reason why Jesus, if being God, would not claim the Glories true origin i.e Jesus himself, of course if Jesus were a born Son (like all sons though he has a God as a Heavenly Father) who did not pre-exist, this makes sense - he could not claim ownership of something which was not his.
Heb 1:3 is drawing on Christs true position in his relation to God as Jesus shows in plain language in John 12:45;14:9. The writer is using metaphors which had already been applied to Wisdom and the Logos. The meaning “effulgence” suits the context of Heb 1:3 better, because Jesus manifested the Word of God, Light i.e. the Glory of that Word was manifest through sinful flesh and overcame to reveal the Glory of God - particularly His righteousness (John 1:1; Rom 3:20,21,22,23,24,25,26)
If I were a Trinitarian I would be looking for text which is not expressive of the idea of the One and only effulging His light through a mortal condemned man - language which involved Jesus being the image of the actual substance would be disconcerting - as this is what is promised of all Gods children.
What would further concern me regarding Heb 1:3 is Pauls support of effulgence in Heb 1:4 "By the word (of God) his power" he "became" so much better than the angels - if Jesus were God this makes no sense at all - in fact why even mention it - shouldn't that be assumed? If the Word is Christs - if the Glory is Christ - If the Name was always Christs - And the Power - why compare him to a higher position to angels? mere servants! Heb 1:14
It would only be special if his position was a reward for faith (Heb 11:6)
Again you would rightly ask "why is everything light, wisdom, glory etc coming from a single source and not Christ himself?" This leads to kenotic doctrine for it must needs be designed to answer these questions.
Now this would further concern me as we discovered in Phil 2 doesn't hold the context for such complex doctrine.
And finally, we find Christ "sat down" having accomplished the works God had assigned to him he rested beside the Majesty. Notice even in his now glorified state he is not assigned a title anything beyond Son of the Most High.
The entire book of Hebrews then proceeds to high light Jesus as pictured in Heb 1:1-4 as King (Prophet and Priest) Messiah seated at the right hand of God.
There simply is no context here for a pre-existent Christ - there is plenty of awe in wonder of an obedient Son being glorified to a position of marvellous glory beside his Father but anything more is old dogma.
Purity
p.s Heb 1:4 "He became" & "He Inherited" are problematic for Trinitarians as both terms infer a changing in rank and status. However the rank and status is not the Most High. Most High infers none other beside Him is the Highest. How can God inherit anything? Psalm 50:10 ;)
