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193, pp. 5+.
This group of writers echoes many of the statements made by Thomas, as well as the Psalm passage that mentions Melchizedek multiple times: "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek" (Psalm 110:4). But this article actually says that while Christians are indebted to the Jews for Christ, Jews and Christians alike are indebted to the Gentile Melchizedek for Jesus' priesthood. In their words, Christ's priesthood can't be traced to Aaron, "but to Melchizedek, the mysterious non-Jewish 'priest of the Most High God' (Heb. 7:1).
Melchizedek is a mysterious figure; his appearance in the Old Testament is strikingly brief. However, he has become a central, honored figure among Christian and Hebrew scholars. Personally, I choose to believe Thomas' interpretation of the story of Melchizedek. To think of him as a holy, cosmic priest of the universe, sent to presage the coming of Christ, is a wonderful vision. And it makes so much sense that God would have had the "gifts of Jesus (Jorgensen, 2003),"...
So I choose to see Melchizedek as this eternal cosmic priest, an inspiration for "the unity of the church and the community of humankind" (Thomas, 2000). Hopefully, Melchizedek will become a more famous figure among the general public; the world needs to recognize that all churches and all religions have value and should be recognized for their unique perspective on God. Even better, maybe the religions of the world can be inspired by Melchizedek to come together and work hand in hand for peace.
References
Thomas, T.K. 2000. "Melchizedek, King and Priest." The Ecumenical Review, vol: 52, no: 3, p. 403.
Jorgensen, Janyce. 2003. "Between Text and Sermon: Hebrews 7:23-28." Interpretation, vol. 57, no. 3, pp. 297+.
Scott, Bud; Williamson, Peter; Whitters, Mark; Schumann, Matt; Hockton, Peter; Hutchison, Fred; Nuzzo, James. 2009. "The Jewish Jesus." First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life, no. 193, pp. 5+.
Melchizedek is a mysterious Biblical figure about whom very little is known. He is alluded to in the Old Testament only in the Book of Genesis, and is referred to a few times in the New Testament in the Pauline text Hebrews. No actual historical data exists to support the existence of Melchizedek the man, although the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls did lead to some scholars believing that
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