This is a very important contribution to the series: Commentaries for Christian Formation, whose goal is to integrate exegesis with aids for preaching, teaching, and applications to readers’ lives.

Amy Peeler, professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, has extensive experience teaching this letter, which is actually a sermon written to encourage discipleship." The opening lines of Hebrews present God, "who in these days of the end spoke to us by a Son, the radiance of God's glory." The author wishes to show that God is trustworthy: his fulfilled promises of the past reassure a community, whose faith may be wavering in a sometimes-hostile environment. Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, the eternal Son, called to the human job of priesthood (the main focus of the center of the letter). Hebrews’ Christology, Peeler explains, was a key to formation of two-natures doctrine. Also, Hebrews is the only text to say that the "God-man is High Priest." While according to Peeler few Christians consider Hebrews the most prominent New Testament letter, she hopes this commentary will show its "vital necessity for the formation of Christian theology... and integral for receiving the encouragement needed to endure the Christian life faithfully until the end." (p.16)

Peeler's introduction begins with the "Theology of Hebrews" (its Christology, Israel's Scriptures, Relation with Jewish Faith); its "Place in the Canon"; finally, the setting of the letter (authorship, genre, audience, date, location). Peeler's revised translations and commentaries include extensive background and expansions of individual key words. For example, she demonstrates how Psalm 95’s (starting in 3:7-4:13) reference to the 'wilderness' ("Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion on the day of testing in the wilderness") applies to the audience of Hebrews, as well as all Christians who need "deep and rich exposition of God's identity and work." Knowing God's ways, having eyes of faith… provides the safeguards to stay on the path to dwell in God's rest." (p.113) The temptation to doubt God remains today.

In connection with this series’ goal ("Christian Formation") Peeler recalls while teaching Hebrews, a student's difficulty of following the author's argument. Yes, Peeler acknowledges, and thus she concludes this commentary with ten Questions. The first six summarize the "theological foundation" (#1), the Posture of faithfulness depicted (#2), the Kind of Faith invited (#3), Hebrews unique contribution to the NT (#4), the status of the "Sharer in Christ," (#5), and the Shape of Life of the community.

The last four questions invite reflection on how to live after studying this sermon (e.g. #7 How to interpret pastorally the Warning Passages, which seem to offer no forgiveness for those who abandon Christian faith). #8 is more pastoral: "How should readers live out the practical instructions." #10 is the author's advice for those who teach Hebrews ("How should one prepare to teach Hebrews").

One of Peeler's suggestions for teaching Hebrews is to study Hebrews thematically, grouping the first mention of ideas and categories (including topics such as creation, family, death, priesthood...). Each theme could be the topic for individual sessions. My only critique or suggestion (after I finished the book) would be to include a chart to show where these themes are introduced or recur, e.g., (commenting on 11:1-40: The Testimony of the Faithful), "By portraying their faith, the author reiterates the theme of hope in the promises of God even in the face of death. And, for 13:1-15 (Living Faithfully): "The rich benediction is a work of beauty and rhetorical power as it collects so many of the themes of the sermon." (p.422)