The book of Hebrews has been a perennial theological battleground. The warning passages have provided an opportunity to discern one’s theological convictions, whether Calvinistic, Arminian, or free grace.
Today’s blog offered by Dr. Tim Hill (ABD) is his research on the unique Calvinistic view of Dr. Thomas Schreiner. I believe you would find it enlightening and encouraging as he reintroduces the potential dangers of some elements of certain theological systems. I hope you enjoy his introduction.
Introduction
By: Tim Hill
The warning passages in Hebrews[1] have been of interest to me ever since an Elder at Irving Bible Church asked me about them while I was a student at Dallas Theological Seminary. In over forty years in ministry, the subject of the warning passages has come up many times. First, in my course work at DTS. Then, in my personal study in preparation for expository sermons going verse by verse through the Book of Hebrews. Over the years, the warning passages became the topic in various discussions with fellow pastors as we would meet to dialogue about a wide range of biblical and theological issues. Also, the warning passages have been discussed in individual counseling situations with members of my congregations concerning their eternal security. As I have taught the book of Hebrews in workshops in this country, as well in classes training pastors overseas, the questions most often asked are about the warning passages. The warning passages in Hebrews provide pastors with a powerful way to encourage and motivate genuine believers toward faithful endurance as obedient followers of the Lord Jesus Christ as God’s Son and their King-Priest, without the threat of losing their salvation or the fear of never being saved in the first place.
There have been many attempts to explain the warning passages in Hebrews. Various interpretations usually are based on the 
interpreter’s own system of theology. For instance, Herman Bateman grouped four views of the warning passages around the reformed system of theology and the Arminian system of theology enlisting four scholars to present their representative view: a classical Arminian view by Grant Osborne, a classical reformed view by Buist Fanning, a Wesleyan Armenian view by Gareth Cockerill and a moderate reformed view by Randall Gleason.[2] Thomas Schreiner lists five popular views of the warning passages: the “Loss of Salvation View,”[3] the “Loss of Reward View,”[4] the “Test of Genuineness View,”[5] the “Hypothetical View,”[6] and the “Irresolvable Tension View.”[7] After critiquing these five views, Schreiner proposes a different view which he calls “The Means of Salvation View.”[8]
The purpose of this paper is to conduct an analysis of Schreiner’s means of salvation view of the warning passages in Hebrews. What exactly is Schreiner’s means of salvation view? How does this view differ from other interpretations of the warning passages? Is Schreiner’s view shaped and influenced by a certain system of theology? What are the exegetical strengths and weaknesses of this view in the warning passages in Hebrews? Is there another interpretation that offers a more positive motivation for believers to endure and not fall away?
The biblical and theological rationale for this analysis of Schreiner’s “means of salvation view” of the warning passages in Hebrews is to discover the answer to the following questions. Is this the best option in light of the exegetical and theological contexts in which the warning passages were written? Are all five warning passages addressing the same problem? Can a believer commit the apostasy described in the warnings? Is the consequence of not heeding the warnings to face God’s final judgment and to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire? Does the negative threat of spending eternity in hell give the believer more motivation to endure and live faithfully for Christ than the positive motivation of receiving the eternal rewards handed out to faithful believers who endure? Is the “reward” spoken of in Hebrews for faithful endurance merely getting into heaven or does it have broader implications of receiving something extra in addition to getting into heaven? Does a believer have to endure to the end to be saved?
The research model for this dissertation presents five chapters and an appendix. The first chapter seeks to accurately define Schreiner’s “means to salvation view” of the warning passages in Hebrews and to clarify that his view is not the same as the radical liberal view of works as a means to salvation. The second chapter compares Schreiner’s “means to salvation view” with other views of the warning passages in Hebrews to show how his view is a novel interpretation. The third chapter will identify Schreiner’s theological, philosophical, and motivational basis for holding such a view. The fourth chapter will analyze and evaluate Schreiner’s “means of salvation view” for any possible exegetical, theological, or philosophical deficiencies to serve as catalyst for further dialogue and discussion as to the meaning of the warning passages in Hebrews. The fifth chapter will address some pastoral implications that Schreiner’s “means of salvation view” can have in the church regarding the preaching of the gospel and the gaining of assurance. Finally, there will be an appendix which will provide an explanation of my own view of the warning passages in Hebrews for two reasons. First, to offer full disclosure of my own theological commitments and exegetical understanding of the warning passages. Second, to offer encouragement for pastors and teachers doing their own study in preparation for preaching or teaching the warning passages in Hebrews.
[1] The warning passages in the book of Hebrews are identified in this paper as: 2:1-4; 3:12-4:13; 5:11-6:12; 10:19-39 and 12:12-29 which follows those listed by Schreiner and Caneday. Thomas R, Schreiner and Ardel B. Caneday, The Race Set Before Us: A Biblical Theology of Perseverance and Assurance (Dowers Grove, Illinois: IVP Academic, 2001), 193. It should be noted that others have proposed a slightly different list. For example, Scot McKnight lists the warning passages as: 2:1-4; 3:7-4:13; 5:11-6:12; 10:19-39; and 12:1-29. Scot McKnight. “The Warning Passages of Hebrews: A Formal Analysis and Theological Conclusions” Trinity Journal, n.s. 13 (1992), 22. Bateman lists the warning passages as: 2:1-4; 3:7-4:13; 5:11-6:12; 10:19-39; and 12:14-29. Hebert W. Bateman IV, Ed., Four View of the Warning Passages in Hebrews (Grand Rapids: Kregel, 2007), 27. Guthrie narrows his lists of warnings to: 2:1-4; 4:12-13; 6:4-8; 10:26-31 and 12:25-29. George Guthrie, The NIV Application Commentary: Hebrews (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998), 39-40.
[2] Hebert W. Bateman IV, Ed., Four View of the Warning Passages in Hebrews (Grand Rapids: Kregal, 2007), 5-6.
[3] Thomas R. Schreiner, “Perseverance and Assurance: A Survey and a Proposal,” Southern Baptist Journal of Theology 2 (1998), 32-34.
[4] Ibid., 34-36.
[5] Ibid., 36-39.
[6] Ibid., 39-40.
[7] Ibid., 40.
[8] Ibid., 52.
Serving Him with you until He comes for us,
Fred Chay, PhD
Managing Editor, Grace Theology Press
