Theological and bibliographic musings on an old question:
The long-standing debate as to whether the believer is secure in his salvation, or can fall away, continues unabated. This in good measure is because numerous biblical texts can be adduced for the former position, and numerous texts can be found for the latter.
As I often put it, we should rejoice in the assurances and promises given to us on this, while not forgetting to take the warning passages in Scripture seriously. Here are a few earlier articles on the topic:
While all of Scripture must be consulted on this matter, one biblical book that offers a lot of warnings is the book of Hebrews. As I wrote in an earlier piece:
Recipients appear to be Jewish Christians in Rome, and the main theme is the need to stand strong in Christ – the final and supreme revelation of God – and not revert to their pre-Christian Jewish faith. Jesus is pre-eminent over the angels, over the Mosaic law, and over the Old Testament priesthood and sacrificial system.
Encouragements to continue in the faith and not give up are found throughout the book, including the various warning passages (Heb. 2:14; 3:7-4:13; 5:11-6:12; 10:19-39; and 12:1-29). These strong warnings have been understood in various ways. https://billmuehlenberg.com/2020/12/05/bible-study-helps-hebrews/
There are various ways to learn more and perhaps decide where you might stand on this. One is to peruse the many books out there that speak to this issue of eternal security, assurance of salvation, and the possibility of falling away or losing one’s salvation. There are many books pushing an Arminian view on this, and many pushing a Calvinist view.
As to the more particular matter of eternal security versus losing one’s salvation, here are some specific titles to consult:
Perseverance and Assurance – Eternally Secure:
Bass, Christopher, That You May Know: Assurance of Salvation in 1 John. B&H, 2008.
Beeke, Joel, Knowing and Growing in Assurance of Faith. Christian Focus, 2017.
Berkouwer, G.C., Faith and Perseverance. Eerdmans, 1958.
Eaton, Michael, No Condemnation: A New Theology of Assurance. IVP, 1995.
Gilbert, Greg, Assured: Discover Grace, Let Go of Guilt, and Rest in Your Salvation. Baker, 2019.
Gundry Volf, Judith M., Paul and Perseverance. John Know, 1990.
Kendall, R. T., Once Saved, Always Saved. Authentic Media, 1983, 2005.
Peterson, Robert, The Assurance of Salvation. Zondervan, 2019.
Schreiner, Thomas, Run to Win the Prize: Perseverance in the New Testament. Crossway, 2010.
Schreiner, Thomas and Ardel Caneday, The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance. IVP, 2001.
Storms, Sam, Chosen for Life. Crossway, 1987, 2007.
Storms, Sam, Kept for Jesus: What the New Testament Really Teaches about Assurance of Salvation and Eternal Security. Crossway, 2015.
Strombeck, J.F., Shall Never Perish. American Bible Conference Association, 1936.
Whitney, Donald, How Can I Be Sure I’m a Christian? NavPress, 1994, 2019.
Perseverance – Can Fall Away:
Duty, Guy, If Ye Continue. Bethany Fellowship, 1966.
Marshall, I. Howard, Kept By the Power of God, revised ed. Bethany Fellowship, 1969, 1995.
Pawson, David, Once Saved, Always Saved? A Study in Perseverance and Inheritance. Hodder & Stoughton, 1996.
Shank, Robert, Life in the Son: A Study of the Doctrine of Perseverance, 2nd ed. Bethany Fellowship, 1960, 1989.
And some books combine both views (or more), as in these titles:
Basinger, David and Randall Basinger, eds., Predestination and Free Will: Four Views of Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom. IVP, 1986.
Bateman, Herbert, ed., Four Views on the Warning Passages in Hebrews. Kregel, 2007.
Brand, Chad Owen, ed., Perspectives on Election: Five Views. B&H, 2006.
Hunt, Dave and James White, Debating Calvinism: Five Points, Two Views. Multnomah, 2004.
Pinson, J. Matthew, ed., Four Views on Eternal Security. Zondervan, 2002.
Sell, Alan, The Great Debate: Calvinism, Arminianism, and Salvation. Baker, 1982.
Another way to get more information and understanding on these matters is to read some good commentaries – in this case, on the book of Hebrews. The 21 commentaries I can recommend are these:
Allen, David, Hebrews (NAC, 2010)
Bateman, Herbert and Stephen Smith, Hebrews (KC, 2021)
Brown, Raymond, The Message of Hebrews (BST, 1982)
Bruce, F. F., The Epistle to the Hebrews (NICNT, 1964)
Cockerill, Gareth, The Epistle To the Hebrews (NICNT, 2012)
Ellingworth, Paul, The Epistle to the Hebrews (NIGTC, 1993)
Guthrie, Donald, Hebrews (TNTC, 1983)
Guthrie, George, Hebrews (NIVAC, 1998)
Hagner, Donald, Hebrews (UBC, 1990)
Hewitt, Thomas, The Epistle to the Hebrews (TNTC, 1960)
Hughes, R. Kent, Hebrews: An Anchor for the Soul (PTW, 2015)
Lane, William, Hebrews, 2 vols. (WBC, 1991)
Moo, Douglas, Hebrews (ZECNT, 2024)
Morris, Leon, Hebrews (EBC, 1981)
O’Brien, Peter, Hebrews (PNTC, 2010)
Peterson, David, Hebrews (TNTC, 2020)
Phillips, Richard, Hebrews (REC, 2006)
Schreiner, Thomas, Commentary on Hebrews (BTCP, 2015)
Schreiner, Thomas, Hebrews (EBTC, 2021)
Witherington, Ben, A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary on Hebrews, James and Jude (IVP, 2007)
Wright, N. T., Hebrews for Everyone (WJK, 2003, 2004)
A few quotes
I am not here to argue strongly for one position or another, and I acknowledge that good Christians can differ on these matters. I might have some of my own theological preferences here, but I am not penning this piece to get into yet another theological war. I am just offering some resources that folks might consider checking out if they are still seeking more clarity on the issues being raised.
Hebrews (Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament)by Moo, Douglas J. (Author), Arnold, Clinton E. (Editor)
In his recent commentary on Hebrews Douglas Moo offer this helpful approach to one of the letter’s most difficult and hotly-contested passages, Heb. 6:4-12:
I mention this well-known theological debate at the outset because it will inevitably play a role in our analysis of the details of the text. Indeed, it would be foolish to deny that interpreters—including this one!—inevitably bring to the exposition of the text certain theological perspectives.* These need not fatally bias our exposition, but they must be frankly acknowledged, and sustained effort must be put forth to avoid being handcuffed by one’s theological preferences. At the same time, we must avoid reading later theological issues and perspectives into this first-century letter. We must also remind ourselves that the author is not writing a dispassionate theological treatise but is preaching a passionate sermon designed to move his listeners to a certain course of action. However, when all the appropriate hermeneutical caveats have been registered, the interpreter of Hebrews 6:4-6, who is seeking to integrate this letter with the witness of other texts in Hebrews and of other New Testament writings, has no choice but to deal with the larger theological question. The New Testament, and indeed Hebrews itself, displays a baffling interplay of apparently absolute assurances about final salvation and stern warnings about falling away. The canonically oriented interpreter simply cannot dodge this issue.
*While I therefore admire commentators such as Ellingworth, who insist that we use normal exegetical methods, looking only to the immediate context before looking further afield, I question whether it is actually possible (or perhaps even preferable) to do so. (pp. 184-185)
And David Peterson devotes a number of pages in his commentary’s Introduction to this matter, including this:
These passages have caused many to question whether genuine Christians can ‘lose their salvation’, even though this issue is addressed only by implication. This pastor’s positive aim is to encourage faithfulness and fruitfulness in the lives of those he addresses. In fact, he speaks confidently about them as a group and encourages them to press on with trust in God and his promises (6:9–20; 10:32–39). His warnings are not hypothetical, however, because he is concerned about signs of spiritual sluggishness in this church (5:11 – 6:3) and notes that some have already abandoned their fellowship (10:25). His warnings are intended to be a means of preserving from apostasy those who may be struggling. The broader evidence of the New Testament is that those whom God has elected will be saved for all eternity (e.g. John 6:37–44; 10:28–29; Rom. 8:28–39; 1 Cor. 1:8–9; Eph. 1:13–14; Phil. 1:6; 1 Thess. 5:23–24; 1 Pet. 1:5; Jude 24–25), but those who are elected will continue to express repentance and faith. Faith is generated and sustained by the message of salvation through Christ and the encouragements and warnings that accompany it.
Within this theological framework, ‘Hebrews recognizes a kind of transitory faith or form of conversion which has early signs of life but does not persevere.’ Jesus identified this problem with reference to the second and third soils in his parable about the sowing of God’s word (Mark 4:1–9, 13–20 par.). The author of Hebrews addresses his ‘holy brothers and sisters’ as those who ‘share in the heavenly calling’ (3:1), but he insists that we are God’s ‘house’ or family ‘if indeed we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope in which we glory’ (3:6). Then he warns that ‘We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end’ (3:14). This is not cause-and-effect language, but an evidence–inference argument, in which ‘the observation of a piece of evidence leads the observer to infer a certain logical conclusion’. If they hold firmly to the confidence and hope God has given them in the gospel they will show themselves to be truly members of his family and partakers of Christ. Perseverance is a mark of the genuine believer and warnings are an aid to perseverance. (pp. 47-48)
Of course many more quotes can be offered here, reflecting various positions. The truth is, there are many major theological debates that arise from how we understand and interpret Scripture. This is certainly one of them. Some of the articles and books that I mention here can be of real help for those still thinking through and studying these matters.
One could add to the first list “Assurance” by Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones – sermons on Romans 5:1-21.
Yes John – many other titles could be mentioned here.