Readers of a certain vintage might remember a 1986 chart hit which had the title Calling all the Heroes.
Despite the lyrics being some nonsense that seemed to mash up fairy-tale sagas and images of ancient raiders attacking a community, the song (probably due to its catchy power ballad tune) somehow managed to reach number six in the charts. Ephemeral pop song it may have been, but its title would have made a pretty good chapter heading for Hebrews 11, with its procession of heroes of the faith.
We’re going to spend the next few editions of this column (which I write every other month) looking at some of those “by faith” heroes that the unknown author of Hebrews lines up for us. It will be less an exegesis of Hebrews 11 in its context; more of a glance at some of the characters it turns the spotlight onto, and how “confidence in what they hoped for and assurance in what they didn’t see” worked itself out in their lives. We won’t explore every one of the august names catalogued, but (in the manner of Match of the Day) will enjoy some edited highlights.
Clinging by your fingertips?
You’ve got to hand it to Jude; we may not know much about him, but he could certainly could knock …