Editing Perseverance of the saints (section)

== Debated exegetical aspects ==
=== Warning passages of the book of Hebrews ===
Several warning passages in the [[book of Hebrews]], especially {{Bibleverse|Hebrews|6:4-6}} and {{Bibleverse|Heb|10:26-39}} seem to contradict the Calvinistic doctrine of the unconditional preservation of the elect.{{sfn|McKnight|1992|p=55}}{{sfn|Ashby|2002|p=173}} The debate over these passages centers around the identity of the persons in question, with the following main interpretations proposed:{{sfn|Oropeza|2011|loc=Part 1, A Synthetic Approach to the Warnings}}

* The hypothetical view: The warnings are genuine but hypothetical, intended to jar believers into moral rectitude and perseverance.{{sfn|McKnight|1992|p=23}}{{sfn|Ashby|2002|p=174}}
* The phenomenological-false believer view: The warnings are real and directed toward people who can genuinely commit the sin, but those who can do so are not true believers.{{sfn|McKnight|1992|p=23}}{{sfn|Oropeza|2011|loc=Part 1}}
* The phenomenological-true believer view: The warnings are given to true believers who can genuinely commit the sin.{{sfn|McKnight|1992|p=24}}{{sfn|Oropeza|2011|loc=Part 1}}
* The covenant community view: The warnings concern the rejection of a covenant community by God when the community as a whole turns away from God's will, rather than individual believers.{{sfn|McKnight|1992|p=25}}{{sfn|Oropeza|2011|loc=Part 1}}
There are several less common interpretations. One suggests that the warnings do not refer to a loss of salvation but rather a loss of eternal rewards.{{sfn|McKnight|1992|p=36}}{{sfn|Ashby|2002|pp=177-178}} Another posits that the warnings could refer to [[Jewish Christians]] reverting to [[Judaism]].{{sfn|McKnight|1992|p=39}}{{sfn|Ashby|2002|pp=175-176}}

=== Hebrew 6:4-6 interpretations supporting Calvinist unconditional preservation ===
"Hypothetical view": Hebrews 6:4-6 can describe those who temporarily backslide in their faith but does not address the issue of permanent loss of faith.{{sfn|Kim|2022|loc=Ch. 2, § K.}} This interpretation has faced strong criticism from non-Calvinists.{{sfn|Picirilli|2002|p=228}}{{sfn|Ashby|2002|pp=176-177}}

"Phenomenological-false believer view": Hebrews 6:4-6 does not refer to regenerated individuals, but to unbelievers who have received God's gifts and benefited from His [[Grace in Christianity|grace]] yet remained [[Skepticism|skeptics]].{{sfn|DeSilva|1999}} This view has also been strongly criticized by non-Calvinists.{{sfn|Oropeza|2011|loc=Part 1, The Test-of-Genuineness}}{{sfn|Ashby|2002|pp=175-176}}

=== Hebrew 6:4-6 interpretation contradicting Calvinist unconditional preservation ===
"Phenomenological-true believer view": [[B. J. Oropeza|Oropeza]] asserts that the recipients of the letter to the Hebrews had faced [[Persecutions of the Church|persecutions]], and the author acknowledges that some members had become apostates despite their genuine [[Conversion to Christianity|conversion]] experiences. The author warns the current audience that despite their past benefits and experiences confirming their faith, they too could [[Backsliding|fall away]] if they continue in their state of malaise and neglect, with dire consequences for apostasy.{{sfn|Oropeza|2012|pp=30–70}} While some argue for an irremediable apostasy interpretation,{{sfn|Ashby|2002|p=187}} others, contend that [[Apostasy in Christianity|apostasy]] by a [[Regeneration (theology)|regenerated]] Christian is possible but not systematically irremediable as long as they are alive. According to this view, [[Scot McKnight|McKnight]] suggests that the author of Hebrews describes an apostasy that exceeds the grace period given by God, which is irremediable, not the remediable apostasy that can occur during a person's life.{{sfn|McKnight|1992|pp=55-59}}