Inter-american Theological Seminary

University of the Southern Caribbean

“The Book of Hebrews”

M. L. Andreasen

A Book Review

Presented in Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Course

CHIS 674: Development of Adventist Theology

by

Damieon Lewis

June 2020
Andreasen, M.L. The Book of Hebrews. Washington, DC: Review and Herald. 1948 413pp

Milian Lauritz Andreasen was a Seventh-day Adventist author, pastor and theologian. He

served the denomination as president to several conferences and universities, as well as a trainer

of ministers and field secretary of the General Conference from 1941 – 1950. When the book

Seventh-day Adventists Answer questions on Doctrine, was being produced and published,

Andreasen’s was the voice most antagonistic to its implications and impact, insisting that it

changed the position of the Church on certain doctrinal points, especially as relates to the

theology of atonement and humanity of Christ. Andreasen was a prolific author and produced

works such as: The Sanctuary Service (1937), The Faith of Jesus and the Commandments of God

(1939), and A Faith to Live By (1943).

The present work was written to present a study of the Book of Hebrews in order to

establish an accurate appreciation of the work of Christ in the sanctuary. This appreciation

connects the earthly ministry of Christ to His second coming and explains not only His new work

but His “delay”. Thus, when the temple of Jerusalem is destroyed Christians would already

understand that the ministry is taken by Jesus in heaven. Andreasen begins his book by exploring

the background of the book of Hebrews, this includes its authorship, audience, date, and

significant events surrounding the date. He insists that the author of the epistle is the apostle Paul

but leaves room for the possibility of another author when he mused, “If Paul did not write

Hebrews” (p.13).

The bulk of the volume is made up of a verse by verse commentary of the epistle.

Andreasen argues that the first three verses of the letter make up a summary of the whole book,

in that Christ is presented as God, prophet, priest, and king. This commentary provides
interesting insights into the author’s appreciation of topics such as the divinity and humanity of

Christ, the Sabbath, sanctification, justification, and the Sanctuary.

Throughout the document the author referenced other commentaries by protestant

scholars such as Franz Delitzsch, Brokke Foss Westcott, and Rudolf Ewald. But the style of

referencing external sources in this present version does not include footnotes, or a bibliography,

it is almost certain that these are included in more recent editions. Andreasen shows significant

aptitude with the Greek and Hebrew tools and occasionally he cross references OT Hebrew with

the LXX. He supplies references to explanatory and developmental notes throughout the

document, which is a great kindness. Additionally, there are comparisons between the

Authorized Version and the Revised Version of the Bible on texts that are seemingly

problematic. Of sufficient concern is the author’s use of Ellen G. White material. She is quoted

drastically more than any other reference. His use of her publications includes articles in

periodicals, excerpts from letters and published books. Consistent with organizational and

institutional publications, Ellen White is referred to as an authority and not as a comparative

commentator.

One of the major themes covered in the document is the divinity of Christ. The author,

through exegesis, indicates that Christ is not only the person through whom God works but “the

exact expression of the very inmost nature of God” (p.19). Another subject is the “Humanity of

Christ” which figures that Christ had to become as much human as He was God. Which is that

Jesus was subject to the Father, and prone to suffering and death.

In another chapter the author discusses the Sabbath in which failure to understand the

principle of the Sabbath and not the day itself features as one of the reasons for God’s rejection

of Israel. This principle is that the Sabbath represented the conversion experience, complete
dedication to God, and sanctification among other things. However, the sanctity and universal

relevance of the day is emphasized and so the author sets it as not only a scaffold for the

realization of salvation but a permanent amenity in the faith.

The priesthood of Christ is the prominent subject of the study and the author, through

careful analysis, comments on the nature and quality of His priesthood and, as a subsidiary

theme, His sacrifice. Christ is presented as the ideal priest for that He can identify with mankind,

is appointed by God, and is worthy to be sin bearer, i.e. the ideal sacrifice. He is also revealed to

be the superior priest, not coming in the lineage of Aaron, but after the superlative order of

Melchisedec over whom He is presented to be superior and eternal. This builds a framework for

a discussion on the heavenly ministry of Jesus. The author establishes that the “greater and more

perfect tabernacle” of Hebrews 9 was Christ’s holy and perfect life and Divine-human nature.

And so through this, the author posits, Jesus gained entrance into the “holies” of Hebrews 9

which is the entire heavenly sanctuary structure with all its apartments and not just one. The day

of Atonement is claimed to be referenced in the blood anointing sequence of Hebrews 9:18-22,

and in verse 23 which places importance on the cleansing of things in heaven. His conclusion on

9:27-28 is that the atonement is only complete at the second coming of Jesus.

Andreasen also reveals a basis for his understanding of sanctification in this research and

points to Christ as having made “perfection attainable” (149). Using Hebrews 10, the author

stresses on the impotence of the ceremonial law in making men perfect, as though to suggest that

the death of Jesus could not and does not perfect the character. He points to the perfect earthly

life and mediatorial work of Jesus in heaven as the means through which men can gain

perfection. In giving further revelation to the nature of Christ’s humanity, he insists that Jesus

faced every temptation that is possible for man to encounter and that each temptation met Him
with equal allure. This denotes that Jesus had no advantage, except that He came into the world

with the Law of God written in His heart. The author highlights this as the condition of every

follower of Jesus. The quality that makes this attainable is comprehensively covered in the

author’s analysis of Hebrews 11 – faith is the unifying characteristic of those who “obtained a

good report”.

In the conclusion of the commentary there is an exhortation given by the author to the

readers. Here is unveiled an appeal to a final generation as “God is waiting for the remnant to

join those heroes” of the faith.

The Book of Hebrews by Andreasen is a tremendous complementary and study resource.

Because the author uses the format of verse by verse commentary it is conveniently organized,

and so easy to run directly to the chapter under review. The study notes at the end of most

sections are handy for a dive into certain theological topics. Another area of commendation is the

unambiguous presentation of the aim of the epistle which brings the Book into, and its study

perspective. The author is conservative, and his analysis of Scripture is consistent with the

Protestant principle of sola scriptura which is aided by the historical-grammatical method. Its

most valuable contributions are the theological insights into many subjects such as the deity and

humanity of Christ, and the sanctuary in Heaven. On a less positive note is the authors style and

language which while more interesting that other similar works, is burdened with an obvious

agenda. It almost seems that the author uses the commentary to advance his own theological

biases. Themes such as sinless perfection, and the final generation theology are littered

throughout the text. The understanding that the atonement is only complete at the return of Jesus

is very controversial and there are also prolonged moments where the author seems to advocate

righteousness by works.
 However, I would love to read the document more carefully within the future as I have

found it to be helpful in my appreciation of the sanctuary in the heaven. It is no devotional

document and so may not capture the interests of the pew except for those with similar biases to

the author.