Near to the Heart of GodNear to the Heart of GodA Study of the Book of HebrewsA Study of the Book of Hebrews

Lesson 13Lesson 13Hebrews 6:4 – 8 Hebrews 6:4 – 8

Dairy Queen or Steak and Ale?Dairy Queen or Steak and Ale?

I.I. IntIntroductionroduction A.A. My college days and chuck steakMy college days and chuck steakB.B. Hebrews is not just “solid food,” and not merely Hebrews is not just “solid food,” and not merely

“meat”; it is chuck steak. It must either be slow-“meat”; it is chuck steak. It must either be slow-cooked (considered over a period of time) or cooked (considered over a period of time) or chewed hard.chewed hard.

C.C. There are hard texts and they present difficulties There are hard texts and they present difficulties and dangers (2 Peter 3:14-18)and dangers (2 Peter 3:14-18)

D.D. My approach in this messageMy approach in this message1.1.Consider why God gives us difficult texts (ala John Consider why God gives us difficult texts (ala John

Piper).Piper).2.2.Summarize the four most popular evangelical Summarize the four most popular evangelical

interpretations of our text.interpretations of our text.3.3.Draw some preliminary conclusions.Draw some preliminary conclusions.4.4.Let the audience “stew” for a week.Let the audience “stew” for a week.

II.II. Why God Inspired Hard Texts (Piper)Why God Inspired Hard Texts (Piper)A.A. DesperationDesperation

1.1.Recognize our inability (1 Corinthians 2:14)Recognize our inability (1 Corinthians 2:14)2.2.Rely upon God’s SpiritRely upon God’s Spirit

B.B. Supplication (Psalm 119:18; 25:5)Supplication (Psalm 119:18; 25:5)C.C. Cogitation (2 Timothy 2:7)Cogitation (2 Timothy 2:7)D.D. Education (2 Timothy 2:2)Education (2 Timothy 2:2)

John Piper, “Why God Inspired Hard Texts,” March 14, 1999John Piper, “Why God Inspired Hard Texts,” March 14, 1999http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1999/1074_Why_God_Inspired_Hard_Texts/1999/1074_Why_God_Inspired_Hard_Texts/

E.E. Humility (Psalm 25:9; Proverbs 11:2)Humility (Psalm 25:9; Proverbs 11:2)F.F. Hard work/sweat (Proverbs 2:1-8f.)Hard work/sweat (Proverbs 2:1-8f.)

III.III. The Four Major Interpretations of our TextThe Four Major Interpretations of our TextA.A.I know I am breaking my own rule here.I know I am breaking my own rule here.B.B.What is the preacher’s job?What is the preacher’s job?C.C.I must be consistent with the author’s purpose I must be consistent with the author’s purpose

and exhortation.and exhortation.D.D.Is the author purposely vague or illusive?Is the author purposely vague or illusive?E.E.The faith and integrity of those who hold these The faith and integrity of those who hold these

opposing views.opposing views.F.F.The honesty and humility of those who hold The honesty and humility of those who hold

different views – some have changed their different views – some have changed their minds; minds; others have others have become more respectful of become more respectful of other other views.views.

G.G.The Four Major Views (from The Four Major Views (from The Race Set The Race Set Before Before UsUs by by Schreiner and Caneday, InterVarsity Schreiner and Caneday, InterVarsity Press, Press, 2001)2001)

1.1. The (Arminian) “Loss of Salvation” ViewThe (Arminian) “Loss of Salvation” Viewa.a.Summary: A Christian may apostatize and thus lose his Summary: A Christian may apostatize and thus lose his

salvation.salvation.b.b.Main elements:Main elements:

1)1) Those warned are true believers.Those warned are true believers.2)2) Future salvation is not assured.Future salvation is not assured.3)3) Warning concerns eternal judgment (hell)Warning concerns eternal judgment (hell)

c.c.Positive aspects:Positive aspects:1)1) Seems to take the description of those warned at face valueSeems to take the description of those warned at face value2)2) Seems to take the warning at face valueSeems to take the warning at face value

d.d.Negative criticism: It contradicts the doctrine of eternal Negative criticism: It contradicts the doctrine of eternal security security and raises doubts, thus undermining one’s and raises doubts, thus undermining one’s assurance of salvation.assurance of salvation.

Warnings andadmonitions

raise doubts ofreceiving the

prize.

The race track represents salvation. Christians may abandon the race and lose salvation.

Already Not Yet

The prize issalvation,

eternal life.

2.2. The Loss of Rewards ViewThe Loss of Rewards Viewa.a.Summary: A Christian may apostatize and thus lose his rewards, Summary: A Christian may apostatize and thus lose his rewards,

as as well as encounter severe earthly disciplinewell as encounter severe earthly discipline..b.b.Main elements:Main elements:

1)1) Those warned are true believers.Those warned are true believers.2)2) Future salvation is assured.Future salvation is assured.3)3) Warnings concern eternal rewards and earthly discipline.Warnings concern eternal rewards and earthly discipline.

c.c.Positive aspects:Positive aspects:1.1. Applies to ChristiansApplies to Christians2.2. It takes the warnings seriously.It takes the warnings seriously.3.3. It stimulates assurance & confidence.It stimulates assurance & confidence.

d.d.Negative criticism: Does “earthly discipline” satisfy the strong Negative criticism: Does “earthly discipline” satisfy the strong words of warning?words of warning?

Warnings andadmonitions

raise doubts ofreceiving the

prize.

The race track represents salvation. Christians may abandon the race and lose rewards.

AlreadySaved

The prize isnot salvation,but rewards.

3.3. The (Calvinistic) “test of genuineness” ViewThe (Calvinistic) “test of genuineness” Viewa.a. Summary: If an apparent Christian apostatizes, we know Summary: If an apparent Christian apostatizes, we know

he he was never saved. was never saved. b.b. Main elements:Main elements:

1)1) Those described are not true believers.Those described are not true believers.2)2) Only unbelievers can apostatize.Only unbelievers can apostatize.3)3) Warning: eternal judgment is for apostates.Warning: eternal judgment is for apostates.

c.c. Positive claimsPositive claims1)1) It is consistent with eternal security.It is consistent with eternal security.2)2) It takes the warnings seriously.It takes the warnings seriously.

d.d. Negative criticisms:Negative criticisms:1)1) Can those described really be unsaved?Can those described really be unsaved?2)2) Emphasis is on unbelievers, not believersEmphasis is on unbelievers, not believers3)3) Does it undermine the confidence and assurance of Does it undermine the confidence and assurance of

believers?believers?

Warnings and admonitions call for retrospective and

introspective self-examination to assess

whether one is already saved.

The race track represents salvation. To abandon the race proves one was never saved. Christians run with their back toward the goal to assess their progress on the track.

AlreadySaved (?)

The prize issalvation,

eternal life.

4.4. The Hypothetical ViewThe Hypothetical Viewa.a.Summary: If a believer could apostatize, he would be Summary: If a believer could apostatize, he would be

eternally doomed; but this can’t happen. Thus, we should eternally doomed; but this can’t happen. Thus, we should move on to meat.move on to meat.

b.b.Main elements:Main elements:1)1) Hypothetically, it addresses believers.Hypothetically, it addresses believers.2)2) An apostate can’t be restored to salvation.An apostate can’t be restored to salvation.3)3) But this is just hypothetical, and not real.But this is just hypothetical, and not real.

c.c.Positive claimsPositive claims1)1) It is consistent with eternal security.It is consistent with eternal security.2)2) The basis for pressing on to “solid food”The basis for pressing on to “solid food”

d.d.Negative criticisms:Negative criticisms:1)1) It is only theoretical.It is only theoretical.2)2) It undercuts the warnings.It undercuts the warnings.3)3) It is an inferior motivation for growth.It is an inferior motivation for growth.

Warnings andadmonitions only

caution what would happen if one could fail to endure to the

end.

The race track represents salvation. One who is already saved cannot abandon the race.

AlreadySaved

The prize issalvation,

eternal life.

5.5. One more: the “Historically unique” viewOne more: the “Historically unique” viewa.a.Summary: The recipients of this epistle are in a unique Summary: The recipients of this epistle are in a unique

situation. They are first generation Jews who must decide situation. They are first generation Jews who must decide between the unbelieving Judaism of their day or faith in between the unbelieving Judaism of their day or faith in Christ. Since they are in a unique situation, the warnings Christ. Since they are in a unique situation, the warnings apply only to them and not to us.apply only to them and not to us.

b.b.Main elements:Main elements:1)1) Unique situationUnique situation2)2) No direct application to us todayNo direct application to us today

c.c.Positive claim: It does seek to take the historical setting into Positive claim: It does seek to take the historical setting into consideration.consideration.

d.d.Negative criticism: It guts the warnings of a strong impact Negative criticism: It guts the warnings of a strong impact on on later readers, and ignores the warning in later readers, and ignores the warning in Psalm 95: 3-4.Psalm 95: 3-4.

IV.IV. Reflections on “Milk” and “Meat”Reflections on “Milk” and “Meat”A.A. The author seems purposely vague or illusive, The author seems purposely vague or illusive,

leaving room for different interpretations.leaving room for different interpretations.B.B. God knew how these warnings would impact God knew how these warnings would impact

Christians before He revealed them. Our present Christians before He revealed them. Our present situation (with multiple views) was expected situation (with multiple views) was expected (intended?).(intended?).

C.C. What are God’s purposes for us, as seen in the What are God’s purposes for us, as seen in the exhortations and the warnings of chapters 1-5?exhortations and the warnings of chapters 1-5?

1.1. To gain an awareness of God’s sufficiency through To gain an awareness of God’s sufficiency through the word and the high priestly work of the Sonthe word and the high priestly work of the Son

2.2. To gain an awareness of our inadequacies and To gain an awareness of our inadequacies and weaknessesweaknesses

3.3. To draw near to our Great High Priest for help in our To draw near to our Great High Priest for help in our time of needtime of need

4.4. To pay more careful attention to His Word (not just To pay more careful attention to His Word (not just Hebrews, but all of Scripture)Hebrews, but all of Scripture)

5.5. To grow up to maturity by transitioning from milk to To grow up to maturity by transitioning from milk to meatmeat

D.D. How do the warning texts (6:4-8 in particular) help How do the warning texts (6:4-8 in particular) help to achieve God’s purposes for us?to achieve God’s purposes for us?1.1. We are forced to study Hebrews more carefully as a We are forced to study Hebrews more carefully as a

book.book.2.2. We are forced to go to other Scripture.We are forced to go to other Scripture.

3.3. We are forced to learn and to apply theology to We are forced to learn and to apply theology to interpret our text.interpret our text.

E.E. Theology (doctrine) is “meat.”Theology (doctrine) is “meat.”1.1. Milk is easily digested (no chewing required), but it is Milk is easily digested (no chewing required), but it is

not sufficient for growth and endurance.not sufficient for growth and endurance.2.2. Milk is what many Christians want (it tastes good) and Milk is what many Christians want (it tastes good) and

what some preachers teach. Lesson learned at what some preachers teach. Lesson learned at Willow Creek.Willow Creek.

3.3. Theology defines what we are to be sure of (or not), Theology defines what we are to be sure of (or not), and that to which we must hold fast to endure in and that to which we must hold fast to endure in times of trouble.times of trouble.

F.F. Examples of how a deeper knowledge of God Examples of how a deeper knowledge of God enabled one to understand suffering and endure enabled one to understand suffering and endure it by trusting in God.it by trusting in God.1.1. Psalm 119:67-72Psalm 119:67-722.2. Psalm 73Psalm 733.3. JobJob4.4. Deuteronomy 8Deuteronomy 8

V.V. Personal ChallengePersonal ChallengeA.A. Our text was given just to challenge preachers.Our text was given just to challenge preachers.B.B. Be a “Steak and Ale” ChristianBe a “Steak and Ale” ChristianC.C. Commit to learn theologyCommit to learn theologyD.D. Chew on this textChew on this text

Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointCopyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPointpresentation of Lesson 13 in the series, presentation of Lesson 13 in the series, Near to the Heart of God, A Study ofNear to the Heart of God, A Study ofthe Book of Hebrews the Book of Hebrews prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for October 5, 2008.prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for October 5, 2008.Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with orAnyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with orwithout credit.without credit.