On Mon, 7 May 2001 08:23:35 -0400 "Robert D. (Bob) Wilson" writes: > > Think logically with me for a moment: if a farmer burns off an > unfruitful field, does that assume that he is then required to > turn the title deed of that property over to his enemy? Does > he forever turn his back on that burnt field? Of course not! > What was the purpose of his actions? He burns off the waste > so that he may take that exact same field, replant it, and bring > to maturity a better crop -- on the exact same field. In the > context of the whole book of Hebrews, there are five major > "negative" or "judgment" passages. This is the only one that > has ever been used to imply loss of salvation or never having > salvation. Why not rather look at this passage in the light of > "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth." Bob, We must be careful not to push a metaphor or simile further than the author does himself. The author extends the figure to blessing or cursing and burning. There is no suggestion that the purpose of the cursing and burning is for restoration. Besides, such an interpretation runs smack into what appears to be an insurmountable obstacle: it is impossible to renew such individuals to repentance (ADUNATON ... PALIN ANAKAINIZEIN EIS METANOIAN). Paul Dixon --- B-Greek home page: http://metalab.unc.edu/bgreek You are currently subscribed to b-greek as: [jwrobie@mindspring.com] To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-b-greek-327Q@franklin.oit.unc.edu To subscribe, send a message to subscribe-b-greek@franklin.oit.unc.edu