In addition to direct biblical resources we should also draw upon the many historical resources and authors, such as the early church fathers like Augustine and Thomas Aquinas who wrote the foundation for much of today's church doctrine, or Martin Luther and John Calvin who gave birth to the Protestant reformation and established the foundations of modern evangelical Christianity. These perspectives help us to better understand our own theology and individual beliefs about God and how we as Christians should live.

Consider others in history like William Wilberforce, the man credited with the abolition of slavery in England and author of Practical Christianity in the 19th century or C.S. Lewis who has written some of the greatest works addressing many similar cultural issues facing us today. Reading these authors can help us better understand the application of biblical truth to those common areas of social and cultural conflict. The list of godly men and women that have gone before us is endless and the knowledge that God has provided through their experience and lives is priceless and worthy of pursuit.

It is this deeper understanding of scripture, doctrine, and theology as well as its relevance to all of life that the writer of Hebrews is addressing when he says,

"So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don't need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding."

The writer is clearly stating that we are to continue to grow in our knowledge of God's revealed Word and His world and how to live in it. We must take our understanding of scripture beyond the context of religion and apply it to all of reality; everything in the world falls under God's authority and everything is subject to God's design.