Saturday, January 12, 2013

On Hebrews 6


My take is that he is describing saved individuals. Some will argue this point. But, it seems clear that saved individuals are indicated.  If the loss of salvation view, or test-of-genuiness view, of the warning passage is pressed then it would say more than they want. For it would be impossible to restore someone if they fall away.
      
Following RC Sproul, I am convinced that the writer here is using this argument to prove that the Christian cannot lose their salvation. It is a common ancient argument used here - legitimate ad hominem (non-abusive) reductio ad absurdum. The author writes, 'though we speak in this manner' which lets the reader know that he is saying these things for the purpose of argument. He concludes by saying, "But beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation."
       
Not much is known about the problem addressed here. Looking earlier in the context the author seems to be saying it is impossible to be renewed ~again~ to repentance, so let's go beyond the basics of repentance from dead works and faith toward God and let's move on to solid food. It sounds like these folks may have been repenting and asking forgiveness in order to be saved over and over again each time they met.
     

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