More than 50 years ago, I began to read, then later study, and finally teach the Bible. Through all those years the ‘Letter to the Hebrews’ has fascinated me; an interest I gained after reading Andrew Murray’s exposition, ‘The Holiest of All’. Yet, after reading his book and the commentaries I was left with the nagging feeling they had missed something. Though each had drawn entirely valid themes and topics from this ‘letter’, they had overlooked its central message. The truths highlighted did not capture the reason for the author’s ‘ exhortation’ (13.22).
Now, because it meant facing a topic I had long regarded as taboo, it was only in recent years I found the courage to study this book of the N.T. in depth. To do it justice meant grappling with the controversial topic of ‘perfection’ and its association with heresy in the past. Wrestling not only with the notion itself of full maturity for believers but with the $64,000
question, ‘Can perfection be reached in the present age’? And by this I mean moral perfection, a goal most would say is unattainable on this side of heaven, with many even regarding it as heresy to say otherwise. I beg to differ. So, if you hold to the conventional view, I hope what I present will go some way to changing your mind.
Incidentally, what I present rests on the premise the book of Hebrews is of eschatological (study of last things) significance.
Why? Because it addresses important issues concerning the
‘perilous times’ ahead, especially the painful trials about to test the household of God. To you reading what I have written, my appeal is simple. Be open to fresh truth, yet at the same time, carefully evaluate the arguments I put forth to show this book of Hebrews indeed has the hope of reaching perfection in this age.
CHAPTER 1