I am a graduate student at Harding University and serve as an evangelist in Chicago. I am trying to find material on the topic of Hebrews 6:4-6. My goal is not to answer questions in regard to the meaning of the passage, but to find the major stances being taken on this passage by theologians. I understand you might be able to point me in the right direction. -- A.T. Arneson

Joey Harris responds:

I'd be glad to help you any way I can. A Baptist teacher named Richfield A. Cudal (who I believe is now a missionary teacher at a Baptist seminary in the Philippines) wrote his Masters thesis at Dallas Theological Seminary in 1983 on this topic. You can probably order a copy from Dallas Theological Seminary, or Harding's library may be able to somehow access a copy for you. The thesis title is "A Categorical Study of Modern Interpretations On Hebrews 6:4-6."

A more recent study of the passage was in Novum Testamentum (definitely available through the Harding University library), Volume 45, Number 3 (July 2003) on pages 265-279. It's called, "A Touch of Condemnation in a Word of Exhortation: Apocalyptic Language and Graeco-Roman Rhetoric in Hebrews 6:4-12," and the author is Brent Nongbri. I do not have this issue before me at the present moment, but there should be some useful references to current scholarship on the interpretation of the passage in the bibliography.

Finally, I would take a look at the discussion of this passage in several major critical commentaries such as the New International Commentary on the New Testament (Hebrews, volume by Bruce) or the New International Greek Testament Commentary (Hebrews, volume by Ellingworth). These would discuss the major theological stances taken by scholars, and provide bibliographic references to the leading scholars taking each stance. Again, Harding's library should have both of these (and some others).

These should get you off to a good start in your research. Please let me know whether or not you found these references helpful.

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