Hot Heads and Perseverance of the Saints

Raw voices and wrinkled pages.

This is perhaps one of the more dividing topics within the scope of Reformed theology. While it is easy to see why this seems so divisive, what with there being seemingly biblical objections. I knew that it made sense for the gospel to have totality to it, that those who have become new creations in Christ were fully Christ's. However I think to spout verses back and forth only leads to emotional debate and pride, at least on my part. After the screaming subsides and the pages of scripture have been wildly flung, both sides tend to leave with their own opinions..feeling as though little benefit was accomplished. When this is the case, I tend to not think clearly, or very biblically for that matter. I tend to word things fancifully and try and win by rhetoric, which is dangerous and foolish. So this brief work will attempt to debunk certain objections raised, by observing the biblical text. I will do my best to give plenty of footnotes, and to admit I am not a genius biblical scholar.

The Clincher, Hebrews 6:4-6

For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. (ESV)

In any discussion concerning the idea of perseverance of the saints, Hebrews 6:4-6 are more than likely to arise. While this is a seemingly ominous passage, a sort of special weapon for the Arminian, however I believe there is much to consider. A rule both sides tend to break, is to consider individual passages and not look at them in their context. While it is taxing to do this for every verse, there is something to be said about theses controversial passages, or the ones that we have reserved for the defeating blow in our argument. My hope is to take a look at this passage in context of the book of Hebrews and to raise a few objective points and questions to provide further clarity for the Reformed viewpoint. With that admonition made clear, let me further explain my hope is to be faithful first to the scriptures. As R.C. Sproul says, my hope is similar, that you would agree with C.H Spurgeon's sentiment, "that Reformed theology is only a nickname for biblical Christianity."1

The passage in perspective.

Theologian Dave Mathewson in an article written for Westminster Theological Seminary explains the problem we face in Hebrews 6:4-6. He writes, "Scholars continue to debate whether the subjects of the warning are genuine members
1 Sproul, R. C.. Chosen by God. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 1986. Pg. 10

of the faith community, who through falling away (v. 6) subsequently lose this status, or whether this falling away only results in the loss of rewards, or whether failure to persevere is evidence that the initial faith was not genuine in the first place, or whether the passage should be understood at a corporate level, addressing the covenant community rather than individuals."2 There is something to be said here of multiple interpretations, and it's easy to pick the most convenient to a belief system, but what matters most is what the author is actually trying to communicate. The warning passages in Hebrews should not be read in strict isolation from one another, as is frequently the case, but should be read synthetically. The question begs to be asked, is this passage talking about born-again Christians? If so then most would boast that any semblance of the doctrine of eternal security being true is completely dismantled. Or is it possible for a person to experience some form of spiritual enlightenment and to taste spiritual blessings and to partake of the Holy Spirit and yet never know Jesus in a saving way? I believe the answer to this latter question is Yes. Dr. Sam Storm gives six reasons3 from the book of Hebrews itself why these people are not born-again believers who have apostatized. Rather than reinvent the wheel I am going to look at these six reasons and expound on them.

Six Reasons
1. Dr. Storm explains that the situation we see in vv. 4-6 is illustrated in vv 7-8, For land that has drunk the rain that often falls on it, and produces a crop useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned. (ESV)

This drinking of frequent rains refers to the blessings of vv. 4-5: enlightenment, partaking of the Holy Spirit, tasting spiritual blessings, etc. Additionally when the issue of thorns and thistles is brought forth this is describing "falling away." Storms expounds, "Rain falls on all kinds of ground, but one cannot tell from that alone what kind of vegetation, if any, will appear. The picture here is not of ground that receives frequent rain, yields life and vegetation, and then loses it. The picture is of two different kinds of ground altogether. One responds to the rain [spiritual blessings and opportunities] by producing bountiful vegetation, while the other is barren, lifeless, and thus condemned. Likewise, people who hear the gospel and respond with saving faith bring forth life. Others, however, who sit in church and hear the truth and are blessed by the ministry of the Holy Spirit but eventually turn their back on it all are like a field that never yields vegetation and thus comes into judgment." To compliment this idea, reformed theologian Wayne Grudem says, the idea of land that once bore good fruit and now bears thorns is not compatible with this picture. The implication is this: While the positive experiences listed in verses 4-6 do not provide us enough information to know whether the
2 3 Mathewson, Dave. "Reading Hebrews 6:4-6 In Light of the Old Testament." Westminster Theological Journal 61 1 (1999): 209-225. This article is more of a summary than a detailed exposition or commentary over Hebrews. However Dr. Storms does a seemingly phenomenal job explaining the reformed viewpoint. I would highly recommend observing all of the footnotes for a more laid out understanding of Eternal Security. Storms, Sam . "Hebrews 6:4-6 and the Possibility of Apostacy." Enjoying God Ministries. (2006)

people were truly saved or not, the committing of apostasy and holding Christ up to contempt do reveal the true nature of those who fall away: all along they have been like bad ground that can only bear bad fruit. If the metaphor of the thorn-bearing land explains verses 4-6 (as it surely does), then their falling away shows that they were never saved in the first place4 2. In 6:9 we start to see a very significant contrast: Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better thingsthings that belong to salvation. (ESV)

The better things in view are stated in vv. 10-12, things like work and love and ministry and diligence and full assurance of hope and faith and patience and inheriting the promises. These things are better than the experiences of vv. 4-6 precisely because they belong to or accompanysalvation. Grudem explains, the author says he is confident that most of his readers have better things than the people he described in verses 4-6, and these things are better in that his readers also have things that belong to salvation. This implies that the blessings in verses 4-6 were not things that belong to salvation5 Grudem summarizes everything nicely stating, Verses 7-8 describe the people in verses 4-6 as unfruitful land that repeatedly bears thorns and thistles, and thus indicate that they were never saved. Verses 9-12 say that the readers, in general, have better things than the temporary experiences of vv. 46, and that those better things include salvation. Therefore both verses 7-8 and verse 9 indicate that the people in verses 4-6 who fell away never had salvation6 3. Dr. Storm articulates rather well stating, "According to Hebrews 3:14 (and 3:6), we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end. Note well: he says we have become partakers of Christ, not will become or are now partakers, if we persevere in faith. In other words, holding fast in faith, i.e., persevering, proves that you became a partaker of Christ in the past. Failing to hold fast, i.e., apostatizing from the faith, proves that you never were a partaker of Christ. Apostasy or falling away (6:6a) doesnt mean you once were in and have now fallen out of partaking in Christ. It means you never were or never became a partaker in the first place." 4. We read in Hebrews 10:14, For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified (ESV)

Here we are told that for those who are now being sanctified (i.e., indwelt by the Holy Spirit, growing in holiness by faith) John Piper will say, the offering of Christ on the cross has perfected that person for all time. For all time! In other words to become a beneficiary of the perfecting, justifying work of Christ on the cross is to be perfected in the sight of God forever. This suggests that Hebrews 6:6 does not mean that those who re-crucify Christ were once really justified by the blood of Jesus and were really being sanctified in an inward spiritual sense 7
4 5 6 7 Schreiner, Thomas R., and Bruce A. Ware. Still Sovereign; Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2000. Pg. 156-57 ibid. 159 ibid. 160 Schreiner, Thomas R., and Bruce A. Ware. Still Sovereign; Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2000.

5. The author of Hebrews concludes this letter with a prayer relating to the fulfillment in us of the blessings of the New Covenant. He prays that God would equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (13:20-21). The promise of the new and eternal covenant is that God will put in his people a new heart and cause them to walk in His ways and not turn away from doing them good (see Ezek. 11:19; 36:27; Jer. 24:7; 32:40). Thus, Piper concludes that in verse 21 he says that it is not finally dependent on us whether we persevere in faith and bear fruit. It is finally dependent on God: He is working in us that which is pleasing in his sight. He is fulfilling the new covenant promise to preserve us. This means that Hebrews 6:6 would contradict the new covenant if it meant that people could be truly justified members of the new covenant and then commit apostasy and be rejected. That would mean that God did not fulfill his promise to work in them what is pleasing in his sight. He would have broken his new covenant promise."8 6. Sixth, we must take note not just of what is said of these people in vv. 4-6 but what is not said of them that is usually said of Christians. Typical terms used to describe believers, such as regeneration, conversion, justified, adopted, elect, faith in Jesus, are conspicuous by their absence. This is more than merely an argument from silence when we consider the way Christians are described in the book of Hebrews itself. Here is a listing of what is true of the true believer, all of which are absent from the description of those who apostatize in 6:4-6. (1) God has forgiven their sins (10:17; 8:12) (2) God has cleansed their consciences (9:14; 10:22) (3) God has written his laws on their hearts (8:10; 10:16) (4) God is producing holiness of life in them (2:11; 10:14; 13:21) (5) God has given them an unshakable kingdom (12:28) (6) God is pleased with them (chp. 11; 13:16,21) (7) They have faith (4:3; 6:12; 10:22,38,39; 12:2; 13:7; etc.) (8) They have hope (6:11,18; 7:19; 10:23) (9) They have love (6:10; 10:33-34; 13:1) (10) They worship and pray (12:28; 13:15; 4:16; 10:22) (11) They obey God (5:9; 10:36; 12:10,11,14) (12) They persevere (3:6,14; 6:11; 10:23) (13) They enter Gods rest (4:3,11) (14) They know God (8:11) (15) They are Gods house, his children, his people (3:6; 2:10,13; 8:10)
8 ibid.

(16) They share in Christ (3:14) (17) They will receive future salvation (1:14; 7:25; 5:9; 9:28). Further Objections Upon reading this the reaction may be,Alright, typical descriptions of the saved are not found in 6:4-6, but neither are typical descriptions of the lost found there either! Grudem responds: I agree that the phrases [in 6:4-6] alone do not match the authors descriptions of the lost, and they do not indicate that these people are lost (before they commit apostasy). But that is just the point: Before they commit apostasy their spiritual status is uncertain. It remains to be seen whether they are among the saved or the lost. They have not yet given decisive indications either way. That is the reason the author warns them not to turn away they are still at a point where a decision to be among the saved or the lost must be made9 Below I will include Dr. Storms explanation of each statement found in Hebrews 6:4-6: They have once been enlightened Have true Christians been enlightened? Yes. But this term need mean no more than to hear the gospel, to learn or to understand. Certainly such intellectual understanding of the facts of the gospel is an important step toward saving faith, but it does not itself constitute the element of personal trust in Christ that is essential to faith All of us know people, perhaps family members, who have been repeatedly exposed to the truth of the gospel, understand what it means, can articulate the claims of Christ with incredible precision, yet refuse to put their trust in Him as Lord and Savior. Thus, whereas all true Christians have been enlightened, not all those who are enlightened are true Christians. They have tasted of the heavenly gift and the good word of God and the powers of the age to come This certainly points to a genuine spiritual experience. But must we conclude that it was a genuine saving experience? These are not strangers to the gospel or to the church. These are people who have come under conviction of the HS, who have experienced some degree of blessing both through common grace and through their close, intimate contact with genuine believers. Perhaps they have been healed. Perhaps a demon has been cast out. They have heard the Word of God and have come to taste and feel and enjoy something of its power and beauty and truth. They have felt the wooing of the HS and have seen great and wonderful things in the body of Christ. Those in Matthew 7:22-23 preached, prophesied, performed miracles, and cast out demons in Christs name . . .but were not saved. Jesus said to them: I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers (v. 23). These, then, have tasted the power and blessings of the new covenant, but they have not personally prized, cherished, embraced, loved, trusted, treasured, or savored the atoning death of Jesus as their only hope for eternal life. They have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit Whereas the word translated partaker can certainly refer to a saving participation in Christ (cf. Heb. 3:14), it can also refer to a looser association or participation. See Luke 5:7; Heb. 1:9 (comrades or companions). These people had in some way come to share in some aspect of the HS and his ministry. But in what
Schreiner, Thomas R., and Bruce A. Ware. Still Sovereign; Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2000. Pg. 171

way? Must we conclude that it was a saving way? Why does our author not use terminology that would put the question of their spiritual status to rest, such as filled with or baptized in or indwelt by the Holy Spirit? They have in some sense repented There is a sorrow for sins and a turning from them that even non-believers can experience. This is clear from Heb. 12:7 and the reference to Esau, as well as the repentance of Judas Iscariot in Mt. 27:3. Paul refers to a repentance without regret that leads to salvation, the implication being that there is a repentance that does not lead to salvation. As with belief and faith, so too with repentance, we must always distinguish between what is substantial and saving, on the one hand, and what is spurious on the other.

Wayne Grudem has a well put culmination, "What has happened to these people? They are at least people who have been affiliated closely with the fellowship of the church. They have had some sorrow for sin and a decision to forsake their sin (repentance). They have clearly understood the gospel and given some assent to it (they have been enlightened). They have come to appreciate the attractiveness of the Christian life and the change that comes about in peoples lives because of becoming a Christian, and they have probably had answers to prayers in their own lives and felt the power of the Holy Spirit at work, perhaps even using some spiritual gifts (they have become associated with the work of the Holy Spirit or have become partakers of the Holy Spirit and have tasted the heavenly gift and the powers of the age to come). They have been exposed to the true preaching of the Word and have appreciated much of its teachings (they have tasted the goodness of the Word of God). These factors are all positive, and people who have experienced these things may be genuine Christians. But these factors alone are not enough to give conclusive evidence of any of the decisive beginning stages of the Christian life (regeneration, saving faith and repentance unto life, justification, adoption, initial sanctification). In fact, these experiences are all preliminary to those decisive beginning stages of the Christian life. The actual spiritual status of those who have experienced these things is still unclear"10 For me, I believe the spiritual state and experience of those described in Hebrews 6:4-6 is virtually identical to that of the first three of four soils in the parable of the sower (Matthew 13:3-23; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:4-15). In that parable, only the final soil is called good and as a result bears fruit. The other three represent those who hear the gospel and respond with varying degrees of understanding, interest, and joy, none of which, however, bear fruit that would testify of genuine spiritual life. That is to say, they experienced enlightenment and tasted the goodness and power of the ministry of the Spirit and the blessings of the kingdom, yet turned their back on the truth when trials, troubles, or temptations came their way. Their apostasy was proof of the falsity of their initial faith (John 8:31; Heb. 3:6,14; 1 John 2:19).

Why do I believe in Perseverance of the Saints?

Beyond all that has been written above in detail over the supposed contradictions in Hebrews, there is much to be written on the idea of Eternal Security. Reformed minister, Nathan Pitchford, has put together a list of verses in categories to showcase the resounding depth to this theological persuasion. I believe that a simple perusal of the verses below will show the harmony of this ideology painted
10 Schreiner, Thomas R., and Bruce A. Ware. Still Sovereign; Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 2000. Pg. 158

throughout the scriptures.

What God begins, he finishes

Psa 138:8 The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands. Ecc 3:14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him. Isa 46:4 even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save. Jer 32:40 I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. Rom 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Phi 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 2Ti 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safety into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Of all whom he has called and brought to Christ, none will be lost
John 6:39-40 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. Rom 8:28-31 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Rom 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Heb 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Heb 10:14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

God's preservation of the saints is not irrespective of their continuance in the faith
1Co 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Eph 5:5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Heb 3:14 For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. Heb 6:4-6 For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then fall away, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt. Heb 10:26-27 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Heb 12:14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Rev 21:7-8 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death. Rev 22:14-15 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

However, it is God who sanctifies us and causes us to persevere

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 1Co 1:30-31 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." 1Co 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1Co 12:3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit. 1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Gal 3:1-6 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain - if indeed it was in vain? Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith - just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"? Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Phi 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 1Th 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. Heb 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 1John 2:29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

Jude 1:24-25 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.