Hebrews 6: Once Saved, Always Saved?

Want to start an incendiary debate among a group of Christians?  Ask them if they think it's possible to lose one's salvation!

This particular "hot potato" tends to divide Christians into Calvinist and Arminian camps.

Calvinists (in general) believe strongly in God's sovereignty and tend to emphasize the predestination of the elect.  God's grace and election are paramount.  Once predestined for salvation, individuals are eternally secure.  Nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ.

Arminians, on the other hand, tend to focus on the element of freedom that God has sovereignly chosen to endow humanity with.  And once people respond to God's grace, there is an expectation - but not a certainty - that they will keep walking in it.  Much of the Bible seems to be an encouragement for God's people to continue in their salvation, calling into question the position that such perseverance of the saints is an automatic guarantee.

The idea of there being a human factor in our salvation strikes some Christians as common sense and others as heretical.

Each side to this debate has their favorite scriptures.  As an Arminian myself, Hebrews 6 is on my speed dial.  The author of Hebrews writes: "For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, since on their own they are crucifying again the Son of God and holding him up to contempt" (vs. 4-6).  To me, this indicates that it is possible to exit a state of salvation - indeed, to do so is quite perilous to one's soul, for there is no return to it!

That is why I, personally, do not talk about "losing one's salvation."  If I were in danger of losing my salvation as I am my car keys or favorite hat, I would be overwrought with anxiety!  Instead, I believe that what is possible is a kind of "throwing away" of our salvation, as in a disowning of our spiritual family and Father.  It isn't something that is going to happen without any effort, perhaps strenuous spiritual effort - but it can be done.

At least, that's my opinion.  What's yours?