differs from merely changing one’s mind over some relatively minor theological point in that it involves the rejection of an entire position and stance. (3) It is disputed how many passages in the NT describe or refer to such apostasy. Was Demas an apostate (2 Tim 4:10)? Did the immoral man of 1 Cor 5:1ff. die an apostate? But however many or few, some passages cannot easily be circumvented. It must be strenuously insisted that attempts to reduce the shock and power of severe warnings like those